Dame Ellman, who served as Labour MP for Liverpool Riverside and previously as leader of Lancashire County Council, addressed graduating students at Edge Hill University while collecting an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy award.
During her distinguished career in British Politics, Dame Ellman has been dedicated to improving her constituents’ lives and championing the North of England.
She described the student’s graduation as “a landmark in your lives” and commended them for their hard work, while also praising Edge Hill for being a “high achiever making its mark regionally, nationally and internationally”.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony shortly after the General Election, which welcomed in a new Labour Government, Dame Louise said: “We are in a new era.
“Don’t let anyone tell you politics doesn’t make a difference. I’ve seen politics change lives, free people wrongly imprisoned and stop pollution like the deposit of untreated sewage into the sea at Blackpool.
“You are graduating with knowledge, skills and ambition; use them to pursue a fulfilling life and make the world a better place.”
Dame Louise Ellman has been a strong advocate for devolution and regional regeneration. With a strong sense of social justice she has worked tirelessly to overturn miscarriages of justice, including securing new inquests into the Hillsborough disaster.
In 1970 she became a Councillor for Lancashire County Council, representing Skelmersdale. She became Leader of the Labour Group in 1977 and Leader of the Council in 1981.
Under her leadership, she established Lancashire Enterprises, attracting European funding, and set up the first Welfare Rights Unit and the Rosebud Fund for small businesses.
In 1997, she was elected as the Labour and Co-operative MP for Liverpool Riverside, a position she held until 2019. She was a member of the Transport Select Committee from her election and served as its Chair from 2008 to 2017.
She repeatedly championed the cause of refugees and played a key role in the Modern Slavery Bill, also campaigning on issues like the bedroom tax, public service cuts and the NHS.
In 2018 she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for her contributions.
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Student Experience) Lynda Brady described Dame Louise as a “trailblazer” and “changemaker”.
“She joined the Labour Party when she was 18 because she wanted to help create a more equal society.
“She fought for the things she believed to be right, she has shown tenacity, integrity and empathy, and she has taken positive action to make the world a better place.”
Edge Hill’s Academic Board awards honorary degrees in recognition of the highest levels of personal achievement in academic, professional or public life.
In addition to Dame Louise Ellman, the 2024 recipients were:
- Chris Kirkland, former professional goalkeeper, a Liverpool FC player and winner of an England cap;
- The Right Honourable Lord Justice Holroyde, Court of Appeal judge and Vice President of the Criminal Division;
- The Lord Shuttleworth (Charles) KG KCVO, who served as Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire until 2023, and Lady Ann Shuttleworth, who was High Sheriff of Lancashire in 1999;
- Steve Igoe, former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Edge Hill University who recently retired after 28 years service.
Previous recipients include BBC journalist Clive Myrie, comedian Michael Pennington, better known as Johnny Vegas, actor David Morrissey, screenwriter and playwright Heidi Thomas, and Wally Brown CBE, former college principal and community leader in Liverpool.
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July 26, 2024
