City Hall reporter Olwen Vasey talks to Bradford MP Gerry Sutcliffe about the highs and lows of parliamentary life.

Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe takes up his new job in the Treasury with few illusions about the toughness of political life in Westminster.

The keen footballer is learning fast about parliamentary Snakes and Ladders from first-hand experience.

And he is pragmatic about his own ambitions, following the sacking of his last boss, Social Security Secretary Harriet Harman.

He said: "It's slow working up and getting there - but you can fall down very fast."

Mr Sutcliffe says he sets himself demanding goals and wants to make things happen, but will not allow these ambitions to be "the be all and end all".

He said: "I am first and foremost a representative of Bradford. I love Bradford and want Bradford to do well. I think it is a privilege to serve the district."

Harriet Harman chose Gerry Sutcliffe for the demanding job as her private parliamentary secretary last year. He proved his worth by labouring well and loyally for the beleaguered Social Security Secretary during the minefield of welfare reforms.

Some colleagues say he had the least-envied job in the Government at that time, and he lost popularity with some of his constituents.

But his reward from Tony Blair last week - which he says was unexpected - was the job of PPS to Stephen Byers, Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

Mr Byers is second in line to Gordon Brown and, although Gerry Sutcliffe will have no direct power, he will have considerable influence and unlimited access to his boss.

The Bradford South MP has already taken a strong part in Budget debates and says he is eager to learn the ropes of government finance as the next stage of his Westminster apprenticeship.

He will help to develop the Government's economic programmes and will deal with key issues, including local government spending settlements.

In this respect Gerry Sutcliffe is likely to find himself on the other side of the argument.

As Labour leader of Bradford Council from 1992 to 1994 he used to go cap in hand to the Government asking for more funds in the face of steep spending cuts.

He said: "I think my time at Bradford Council has stood me in very good stead."

He praised Ms Harman for her dignity after she was ousted.

"We had a very good working relationship and she allowed me to be involved at every level.

"It was obvious from the start the status quo had to be changed. There were higher levels of poverty and at the same time benefit bills were increasing.

"There was a lot going on in the government at that time, and Harriet was in the firing line. The Government had decided to remain within the two-year spending cuts imposed by the former regime.

"We were trying to reform social security at a time when there were cuts. But she put families at the centre of Government policies. No one can take that away from her."

It had been no secret that Harriet Harman had difficulties over her relationship with Frank Field, minister responsible for the green paper on welfare reform and fraud.

There were "sensitivities in their dealings", he said.

Mr Sutcliffe added: "I think we have started to tackle the major issues and Harriet was a key individual. It was disappointing she was not kept on."

Back home with his family for the long parliamentary break, one of Mr Sutcliffe's first appointments was a football match against Royds Community Association.

The down-to-earth MP earned the label "Mr Fix It" with his scheme to buy a big- screen television for MPs to watch the World Cup in the Westminster Conference Room.

Even Tony Blair was charged £5 and, with 62 stakeholders, the cost of the television was more than covered without public expense.

The Story so far

Gerry Sutcliffe, 45, was educated at Cardinal Hinsley Grammar School, Bradford. He is married with three sons.

One of his former jobs was in display advertising at the Telegraph & Argus, from 1972-75.

He was deputy branch secretary of the print union SOGAT/GPMU from 1980-94.

He served on Bradford Council from 1982 to 1994 and was leader from 1992.

He was elected MP for Bradford South after the death in a car crash of sitting MP Bob Cryer.

He became parliamentary private secretary to Harriet Harman in the incoming Labour government in May 1997.

He is chairman of the House of Commons trade union group.

Mr Sutcliffe was appointed PPS to Stephen Byers last week.

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