I’m proud to have been elected by local people to be the Labour MP for our area. East Leeds is my home and I’m committed to standing up for our community.

My family have lived and worked here for over a hundred years, ever since arriving as immigrants from Ireland.

I was educated at Cardinal Heenan Roman Catholic High School. I was the first person in my family to go to university, studying at Cambridge.

Straight after university, I returned home to Leeds and became a trade union lawyer. For more than a decade I helped care workers, nurses, dinner ladies, bin men and other working people in East Leeds who face redundancy, discrimination, pay cuts they simply can’t afford or other problems at work through no fault of their own.

As our MP, I’m committed to standing up for our community. I organise eight advice sessions per month across our area so that local people needing my help, advice and support can come to meet me face-to-face. I have a fully-staffed office in the heart of the constituency and my staff are always happy to help. Down in Parliament, I speak up and speak out in support of our area and the people who live here.  

Away from politics, my interests include live music and supporting Leeds United through our ups and downs. I’m a member of the East Leeds History and Archaeology Society and the Leeds United Supporters’ Trust. My favourite pint is Leeds Pale.