It is an absolute privilege to serve the people of my city as the Member of Parliament for Liverpool Walton. There could be no greater honour, and every day I work to repay the faith shown in me by constituents.

I’m a proud Scouser. My granddad and dad worked on Liverpool’s docks in the days when they were the engine room of our city’s economic and social life. Casual dock labour gave rise to trade unions and collectivism. It is one reason we still hold dear our sense of solidarity and why today individuals are strong and communities proud.

My mum has served our National Health Service for over 40 years on the frontline in Liverpool. Politics began to shape my life when in 1995 my dad was sacked, alongside 500 Liverpool dockers, for refusing to cross a picket line. That dispute – of workers fighting casualisation – lasted 27 months and left my dad unemployed for seven years. I saw families break apart, people lose their homes. The experience had a profound effect on my politics, and as I boy I joined the Labour Party and my trade union, Unite.

My secondary education was at St Edward’s college in West Derby. I went on to study International Relations at the London School of Economics.

I’m proud to have worked for five years for Unite the union, alongside its brilliant staff and shop stewards. I know how to fight and win for people, advocating for constituents as a caseworker and working with shop stewards and reps in the workplace.

I was elected as Labour MP for Liverpool Walton in June 2017, and re-elected in December 2019. I am truly grateful for all of the support I have received.

I have served in Labour’s Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Secretary of State for International Development and Shadow Financial Secretary to the Treasury.

Too many people have lost hope in the power of politics to bring about change – I haven’t. I believe that by our common endeavour, we can transform our economy and society so that it works in the interests of the many, not the few.

As your local MP, I represent your interests in Parliament. If you live in Liverpool Walton and would like me to take up an issue on your behalf, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Thank you.