"I became interested in politics from a very early age at school and joined the Labour party in my first year at college because… you saw some schools better equipped than others. I went to a comprehensive school and we did not have as good sports facilities as others and I thought there was an unfairness here. So there were certain things as I grew up … that I suppose made me more political."

The daughter of a Post Office worker, Mowlam went to a comprehensive (mixed ability) school in Coventry. She was interested in politics from an early age but felt that she wanted to be a doctor because their work was practical, 'it got results'. She studied Anthropology and Politics then lectured in Politics at Newcastle University. She went on to work in adult education with students whom she thought might have fewer opportunities than traditional university students.