I was born and raised up the road in Bingley and I currently live in Leeds. My dad worked at a printing mill in Bradford and my mum as a hairdresser, they taught me the importance of hard work, keeping your promises, and standing up for what you believe in. Those are the values I live by today.

I have been visiting Halifax all my life, first as a kid to Eureka, and more recently as a big fan of concerts at the wonderful Piece Hall. Now living in Halifax, I am so proud to represent this wonderful town as your Member of Parliament.

I became interested in politics as a teenager when my dad was a trade union rep and I started working with charities to support pregnant women and prevent infant and maternal mortality in Africa. This was when I decided that whatever I ended up doing in the future, I wanted it to involve helping people.

After graduating from the University of Edinburgh, I briefly worked for the Labour Party before joining the Community Trade Union. I’ve been there since and have spent every day trying to protect the jobs and rights of working people. During this time I’ve represented steelworkers, prison officers, teachers and the self-employed. I even forced the government to u-turn on their lack of financial support for the self-employed during the pandemic.

I’m also proud to do important voluntary work in my spare time. I sit on the board of United Against Malnutrition and Hunger where I work with amazing organisations fighting to eliminate global hunger. I’m also a trustee of Unions 21 and an executive member of Labour Women’s Network.

So, that’s who I am. A strong West Yorkshire woman who does everything she can to help others. 

I know towns like ours have felt left behind. There have been too many empty promises about ‘levelling up’ and no understanding that all we want is a better standard of living and public services that actually work. 

I’ve spent my life trying to help others and defend our rights as working people. As Labour’s MP for Halifax I am continuing this, putting the people of Halifax first and ensuring they have an MP always ready to fight their corner.