After 14 years of Conservative government, Labour won last week’s national election in a landslide victory. Describing himself as “restless for change,” Prime Minister Keir Starmer wasted no time in making history, naming Rachel Reeves the first female chancellor of the exchequer and announcing a cabinet with the most female ministers ever.
A record-breaking 264 women have been elected this year, including Diane Abbott, Dawn Butler, Nadia Whittome, Zarah Sultana and Tulip Siddiq, who all held their seats for another five years.
But who are the new faces to watch out for? Here are seven first-time female MPs from across the political spectrum who need to be on your radar…
The PM has promised “change” – but what does this look like for women and girls?
1. Rosie Wrighting
Party: Labour
Constituency: Kettering
At 26 years old, Rosie is one of parliament’s youngest new faces and the first female MP for Kettering, unseating Conservative Philip Hollobon. Her campaign focused on helping her constituents through the cost-of-living crisis and building affordable housing. After renting in an unstable market, Rosie now lives at home with her mum and is keen to see the back of no-fault evictions and damp-ridden properties.
The NHS is another key priority, with Rosie pushing for easier access to appointments for both physical and mental health.
2. Yuan Yang
Party: Labour
Constituency: Earley and Woodley
Yuan Yang is the UK’s first-ever Chinese-born member of parliament and takes on this newly formed seat, which sees former Prime Minister Theresa May become her constituent. A former journalist and author, she has called for a new hospital in Reading, more teachers in schools and better mental health support for students.
Like many MPs, Yuan wants to tackle the cost of living crisis and fight rising bills and inflation. As more people priced out of London move to the area, Yuan is working on ensuring that residents in new builds have proper access to GPs, shops and schools and aims to bring back neighbourhood police patrols and build a network of youth hubs.
3. Carla Denyer, Bristol Central – Green
Party: Green
Constituency: Bristol Central
As the co-leader of the Green Party (England and Wales), it’s no surprise that Carla’s focus as the first Green MP for the city is the environment. Carla wants a carbon-neutral Bristol by 2030 and is opposed to any new oil and gas.
Carla advocates for renters’ rights and believes in the right to warm, safe, affordable housing for all. She supported the student rent strike during the pandemic and wants to abolish leasehold home ownership. She also works to prevent homelessness and is in favour of increasing the minimum wage.
While the Greens have faced criticism for their unclear stance on trans rights, Carla, who identifies as bisexual or pansexual, is unequivocal in her support for trans and non-binary identities and the community’s access to healthcare.
It’s interesting to note that Carla works as a co-leader of the party in a job share – and has spoken about making work more accessible, especially for those with additional responsibilities.
4. Uma Kumaran
Party: Labour
Constituency: Stratford and Bow
The first Tamil woman to become a UK MP, East London-born Uma Kumaran’s key policies include fixing the housing crisis with new council and affordable homes, prioritising first-time buyers and fighting for renters reform, tougher rules on cladding, leasehold reform and abolishing no-fault evictions. She also wants to cut NHS waiting times, invest in safer streets and protect the environment.
With parents who fled civil war in Sri Lanka, Uma is also vocal in her support for a lasting and immediate ceasefire in Palestine, the release of all hostages and aid access in Gaza, recognising a two-state solution.
5. Natasha Irons
Party: Labour
Constituency: Croydon East
A record number of 16 Black female MPs were elected last week, including born and raised South Londoner Natasha Irons. Having once slept on her family’s living room floor to avoid damp and mould, Natasha aims to build new homes, insulate existing ones and campaign for new laws that require action on mouldy properties.
Natasha wants to cut NHS waiting times, invest in preventative health care and prioritise mental health support. She also wants to fight the cost-of-living crisis, address youth violence at its root, and bring jobs back to Croydon.
6. Jess Brown-Fuller
Party: Liberal Democrats
Constituency: Chichester
One of 71 Liberal Democrat MPs elected this year, Jess promises to be Chichester’s greenest ever MP, opposing Southern Water’s environmental vandalism and ending ‘sewage dumping.’ She also hopes to protect her constituents against ‘predatory’ property developers building unaffordable housing in farmlands and along coastlines, prioritising social housing instead.
She also wants to bolster the NHS, making ambulances quicker, appointments for physical and mental health easier to access and improving support and pay for paramedics, nurses and doctors.
7. Sarah Bool
Party: Conservative
Constituency: South Northamptonshire
One of the few new Conservative MPs voted in, Sarah started leafleting for the party from the age of nine. Passionate about the countryside, Sarah has spoken about protecting residents against “inappropriate” developments (like a proposed solar farm) and preserving the beauty of Northamptonshire. She will fight for reliable public transport and push for better access to NHS dentists and GPs.
“The British people have voted for change.”
