Labour’s fresh intake includes an economist with a compelling personal story, seasoned Westminster insiders, and a former soldier. Here are five new MPs to keep an eye on:
Torsten Bell
Torsten Bell, a former adviser to Alistair Darling, has become one of the leading voices on the British economy as the director of the Resolution Foundation thinktank. His recent book, which emphasizes economic growth, aligns closely with Keir Starmer’s vision. Bell has advocated for rewriting fiscal rules to facilitate long-term infrastructure investment. Expect him to play a central role in shaping economic policy in a Labour government.
Josh Simons
Josh Simons has experienced Labour politics from various angles, having served as a policy adviser to Jeremy Corbyn. After completing a PhD in the US and working for Meta, Simons returned to the UK to lead the Labour Together thinktank, closely tied to Starmer’s leadership campaign. Labour Together has integrated many of its team into Labour’s election efforts, with Simons being a prominent advocate for Starmer’s message.
Miatta Fahnbulleh
Miatta Fahnbulleh’s journey to Westminster is marked by resilience. Her family fled Liberia’s civil war, and she built a career as an economist, advising Ed Miliband and leading the New Economics Foundation. Fahnbulleh, a strong proponent of urgent climate action, is expected to be a key intellectual force on the party’s soft left.
Mike Tapp
Mike Tapp secured the strategically important seat of Dover and Deal, a significant win following the defection of former Conservative MP Natalie Elphicke. With a background in the military and the National Crime Agency, Tapp is set to be a vocal figure on issues like Channel small-boat crossings and other key concerns in the area.
Kirsty McNeill
Kirsty McNeill, representing the Penicuik, Midlothian constituency, is part of a strengthened group of Scottish Labour MPs. A former special adviser to Gordon Brown and a senior figure at Save the Children UK, McNeill plans to focus on child poverty, leveraging her extensive political experience and expertise.
These new MPs bring diverse experiences and skills to the Labour Party, promising to influence the party’s direction and priorities.
