jack straw became a labour party mp at the 1979 general election for the constituency of blackburn. he was promoted to the shadow cabinet in 1987 and became the home secretary when labour returned to power in 1997. his other cabinet posts included: foreign secretary (2001-2006), leader of the house of commons (2006-2007) and justice secretary (2007-2010). he did not choose to become a member of ed miliband's shadow cabinet.