About me
Swansea born and raised, it is the honour of a lifetime to represent the community I grew up in.
Before politics I studied Social Policy at Swansea University as an older student, then moving on to work in the community. I set up two centres for disaffected young people before then becoming Regional Manager of a children’s cancer charity.
On 7 May 2015, I was first elected as the MP for Swansea East and was reelected in both the 2017 and 2019 elections. In April 2018 I became the first Deputy Leader of Welsh Labour.
I have had many frontbench roles including Shadow Home Office Minister, Shadow Women and Equalities Minister and Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition. I now joyously sit as a Backbencher and Chair the All Party Parliamentary Groups on Gambling Related Harm, Beauty & Wellbeing and Menopause. I also sit on the Women and Equalities and Home Affairs Select Committees and co-chair the Government’s Menopause Taskforce.
In Parliament I am an all action campaigner, successfully lowering the stakes on fixed odd betting terminals (FOBTs) and creating a children’s funeral fund for bereaved families in memory of my son Martin who passed away in 1989, when he was just 8 years old. The menopause and getting support for women experiencing symptoms is my current campaign and it has gained widespread support across Parliament and beyond.
In constituency, my ‘Everyone Deserves…’ campaign is focused on eliminating food poverty and holiday hunger. Throughout the school holidays me and my team ensure that families who might otherwise go without are supported with food hampers, the little ones some entertainment through our lunch clubs and the parents a well earned rest.
I continue to live in Swansea East with my wonderful family.