Graduation 2025: Former Sunderland MP Baroness Julie Elliott honoured by University

Published on 11, July, 2025

Former Sunderland Central MP and member of the House of Lords Baroness Julie Elliott of Whitburn Bay has received an Honorary Doctorate of Law from the University of Sunderland.

Julie was born in Whitburn, Sunderland in 1963, where she grew up with her parents, Laura and Harold, a blacksmith striker at Wearmouth Colliery.

After attending Seaham Northlea Comprehensive School, Julie gained a bachelor’s degree in government and public policy at Newcastle Polytechnic, now Northumbria University, all while raising her children.

Julie started her political career as a regional organiser for the Labour Party in 1993, before representing members of the GMB trade union, where she was responsible for its political, policy and media work in the region.

In 2010, Julie stood as a Labour Party candidate in the general election for Sunderland Central, winning the first of four general election victories during her time as an MP.

Julie has served on multiple parliamentary select committees, including the European Scrutiny Committee, the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee and the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee where she was part of many groundbreaking inquiries.

These included ones on ‘Fake News and Disinformation’ and ‘The Economics of Music Streaming’ as well as work that put a spotlight on the issue of equal pay at the BBC.

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Julie’s work in Parliament included helping to create an opt-out system for organ donation and giving building societies the ability to operate on a level playing field with banks, helping first-time buyers who are more likely to use building societies. 

Julie was nominated for a life peerage and introduced to the House of Lords in 2025, receiving the title Baroness Elliott of Whitburn Bay. 

Julie received her Honorary Doctorate at the University’s Summer Graduation Ceremonies at the Stadium of Light.