Kate Dearden
Kate Dearden | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2024 | |
| Assistant Government Whip | |
| Assumed office 18 July 2024 | |
| Prime Minister | Keir Starmer |
| Member of Parliament for Halifax | |
| Assumed office 4 July 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Holly Lynch |
| Majority | 6,269 (15.5%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 1994 (age 30) Bingley, West Yorkshire, England |
| Political party | Labour and Co-operative |
| Education | St Bede's and St Joseph's Catholic College |
| Alma mater | University of Edinburgh[1] |
Kate Alexandra Dearden (born April 1994) is an English Labour and Co-operative politician who has served as Member of Parliament for Halifax since 2024. She previously worked for the Community Trade Union.
Early life and career
[edit]Dearden was born and raised in Bingley, West Yorkshire, and attended St Bede’s and St Joseph’s Catholic College in Bradford.[2] She studied for MA (Hons) International Relations at the University of Edinburgh,[3] where she was Chair of Edinburgh Labour Students and campaigned for equal marriage in Scotland.[2]
During her third year at university, Dearden worked as a Campaign Organiser for Ian Murray MP, before working for Kezia Dugdale MSP (then Leader of the Opposition in the Scottish Parliament and Member of Scottish Parliament for Lothian) in her fourth year.[4]
After graduating, Dearden served as Chair of the National Labour Students Committee until June 2017,[5] having begun working as a Campaigns Officer for the Labour Party in April.[4] Whilst Chair of the Labour Students, Dearden launched training against antisemitism at the Oxford University Labour Club.[6][7]
Dearden worked for Community Union from 2017 - 2024.[8] Beginning as a Research and Campaigns Officer in October 2017, Dearden was then promoted to be Head of Research, Policy & External Relations in January 2020.[4]
Parliamentary career
[edit]Dearden attempted to stand as a candidate in the 2022 Wakefield by-election,[8][9] but was not selected.[10]
Dearden was elected as Member of Parliament for Halifax in the 2024 United Kingdom general election, succeeding the former Labour MP for Halifax, Holly Lynch, who stood down.[2][11][12] Dearden was appointed Assistant Whip, House of Commons on 18 July 2024.[13]
In November 2024, Dearden voted in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which proposes to legalise assisted suicide.[14]
From 2025, she has offered cost of living advice surgeries to her constituents.[15][16]
References
[edit]- ^ Greenwood, John (10 June 2024). "General election 2024: Labour announce candidate hoping to keep Halifax for the party when town goes to the polls after Holly Lynch steps down". Halifax Courier. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ a b c Blackburn, Ralph (17 November 2024). "Kate Dearden: meet the new Halifax MP with trade unions 'in my blood'". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- ^ Greenwood, John (10 June 2024). "Labour announce candidate hoping to keep Halifax for the party after Holly Lynch steps down". Halifax Courier. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- ^ a b c "Kate Dearden MP". Linkedin. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
- ^ Dickinson, Jim (1 July 2024). "The former student leaders entering Parliament". Wonkhe. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- ^ Frommer, Rachel (13 February 2017). "UK Labour Party Student Group Launches New Antisemitism Education Program in Effort to Repair Relations With Jewish Community". The Algemeiner. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- ^ Mendel, Jack (15 February 2017). "Labour student chair: Party must stand 'in solidarity' with Jews". Jewish News. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- ^ a b "Wakefield Labour candidate chosen after committee walks out". BBC News. 15 May 2022. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- ^ Chappell, Elliot (11 May 2022). "Wakefield Labour is speedily picking a candidate. Here's what is happening". LabourList. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- ^ Chappell, Elliot (13 May 2022). "Exclusive: Labour accused of breaching rules in Wakefield candidate selection". LabourList. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ "Halifax – General election results 2024". BBC News. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ Chippindale, Jane (10 July 2024). "Kate Dearden MP: I'm here in Westminster to serve the people of Halifax, to ensure everyone's voice is heard". Halifax Courier. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- ^ "Assistant Whip, House of Commons". Gov.uk. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
- ^ "Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Second Reading". Votes in Parliament. 29 November 2024.
- ^ Chippindale, Jane (19 February 2025). "Kate Dearden MP: Paving the way for a more resilient energy future for everyone". Halifax Courier. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- ^ Dearden, Kate (16 April 2025). "Kate Dearden MP: Tackling the cost of living". Halifax Courier. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
External links
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