Background
Brown was born in London to Joseph and Iris Brown.
Brown was born in London to Joseph and Iris Brown.
She was educated at Drew Road Primary School, Silvertown and Plashet Comprehensive School before attending the Whitelands College, Putney (now part of Roehampton University).
She has been a Shadow Minister at the Home Office since September 2015. In 1984 she began work as a social worker for the London Borough of Ealing. She was elected as a councillor to Newham Borough Council in 1988.
She unsuccessfully contested Wanstead and Woodford at the 1992 general election but was easily beaten by 16,885 votes by the Conservative James Arbuthnot.
Lyn Brown was became the seat"s Member of Parliament at the 2005 general election with a majority of 9,801 votes. She made her maiden speech on 23 May 2005.
In 2006 Brown became the Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Communities and Local Government Minister, Philosophy Woolas. In July 2007 she was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary to John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills.
In June 2009 she was promoted to become an Assistant Government Whip.
She remained as a whip, in opposition, following the 2010 election. At the 2010 General Election she retained the seat with a significantly increased majority of 22,534. In June 2011 Brown was criticised by campaigners for recruiting an unpaid intern whilst also supporting "a living wage for all".
Brown stated she "would like to pay everyone" in her office, but "did not have the resources to do so".
On 16 July 2011 Brown was reported to have shoved Talksport"s blind Political Editor, Sean Dilley, and his guide dog inside Portcullis House, swearing at him to get out of her way. Several independent witnesses reported the matter to the Press, and to the Labour Chief Whip, Rosie Winterton, who apparently proceeded to discipline Brown.
Brown issued an unreserved apology shortly thereafter.
54th United Kingdom Parliament. 55th United Kingdom Parliament. 56th United Kingdom Parliament]
The former minister and Labour member of parliament for West Ham constituency Tony Banks retired and Lyn Brown was selected to contest the safe Labour seat through an all-women shortlist.
Gus Baker of Intern Aware stated Brown had replaced a paid member of staff with an unpaid intern, accusing her of double hypocrisy and noting how such conduct denied opportunities to poorer people such as those from Brown"s constituency.