(John) Steven Bassam, Baron Bassam of Brighton (b. 11 June 1953) is a British Labour and Co-operative politician and member of the House of Lords.

Having studied at the University of Sussex and University of Kent, where he received a Masters in social work, Bassam began his career as a social worker. He moved on to other roles in local government, serving as Head of Environmental Health and Consumer Affairs at the Association of Metropolitan Authorities , later Local Government Association 1988-97.

In the meantime, Bassam had become involved in local politics and became a Brighton councillor, rising to become Leader of Brighton, then Brighton and Hove Council from 1987 until 1999. He stood unsuccessfully for Parliament in Brighton Kemptown at the 1987 general election. He was made a life peer as Baron Bassam of Brighton, of Brighton in the County of East Sussex and acts as a government whip and spokesperson for the Cabinet Office and Home Office.

Bassam and his wife, Jill Whittaker, had two daughters and two sons, one of whom died in infancy. Bassam is a keen Brighton and Hove Albion fan.