Why I'm Standing to be Our Labour MP

Pledge Your Support

Leeds South West and Morley made me the person I am today.

I grew up in a terraced house on Churwell Hill, went to Morley High School and I'm now raising my family in the new part of the constituency, Farnley and Wortley. I'm a teacher, a councillor, and a proven election winner.

I care so much about our area, and I am angry that the people I grew up with are being let down by a Conservative government that knows little and cares even less about the lives we lead here.

As a teacher, I see first-hand how our young people are being held back by the Tories. Leeds South West and Morley deserves an MP who will fight to ensure that every child in every classroom in every school can fulfil their true potential.

My combination of truly local roots, my understanding of the issues local people face, and my track record of representing and winning for people here will help to make me a candidate that people can put their trust in.

This selection is about choosing a candidate who can take on the Tories and beat Andrea Jenkyns. I am that person. I’ve already led successful campaigns to win seats from an established opposition here in our constituency. I know that with your support, we can do the same at the General Election.

It’s about time our constituency had a Labour MP. I’ll use my experience, energy, and commitment to make that happen.

My Pledges

  • I’m a proven election winner and I’m determined to secure a Labour victory in Leeds South West and Morley when the general election comes.

    I know how to win elections for Labour. I ran an award-winning campaign to take back Farnley and Wortley for the Labour Party and broke decades of dominance by our opposition there. I followed that up again just two months ago, running a successful campaign which ensured that we secured two consecutive Labour victories in the ward for the first time this century.

  • I left a career in finance to become a maths teacher in South Leeds and improve the lives of children from some of the most deprived communities in Leeds.

    I believe in the amazing potential of young people in Leeds South West and Morley. But they are being held back by the Conservatives.

    If you send me to Parliament, I’ll fight every day to make sure every child in our community leaves school with the grades they deserve and the opportunities they need to succeed beyond school.

  • The Tory cost-of-living crisis has been getting worse and worse and ordinary working people are paying the price. When I knock on doors right across the constituency, people tell me they’re worried about their energy bills, their mortgage rates, and even how they’re going to put food on the table.

    As your MP, I’ll back a freeze on energy bills, better pay and working conditions, and stronger trade unions who can push for fair pay across all workforces.

  • Under the Conservatives, A&E waiting times are dangerously high, and it’s become increasingly difficult to get an appointment with your local GP. We all know how important having a publicly funded NHS that is there when you need it is to residents across our communities.

    I want everyone in Leeds South West and Morley to live long, healthy, and fulfilling lives and feel confident that the NHS will be there for them and their family when they need it.

  • Everyone deserves to feel safe and secure in their community. But our sense of security has eroded over the past 13 years as levels of violent crime have risen, and confidence that there will be any consequences when a crime is committed are worryingly low.

    Over the last 13 years, the Conservatives have decimated neighbourhood policing and sent confidence levels plummeting. I’ll make it my mission to keep our communities safe with a return to neighbourhood policing.

Endorsements

  • Jayne Hill, Morley and Outwood CLP Campaign Co-ordinator

    "I've known Mark since he became active in Morley Labour Party as a teenager. Since then, I've watched him gain the experience and knowledge he needs to be a great MP for Leeds South West and Morley. Mark is a teacher, a councillor and knows how to win elections here in our constituency. I'm confident that Mark will be ready to take the fight to the Tories from Day 1 and turn our area red again. He has my full support."

  • Stephen Holroyd-Case, Ardsley and Robin Hood Labour Councillor

    "I was elected to Leeds City Council in 2023 and, from day one, Mark was out supporting the campaign. I know Mark is a true campaigner who listens to residents and really understands the challenges they are facing. That's why I'm backing Mark to be Leeds South West and Morley's next Labour MP."

  • Adam Ogilvie, Leeds South West and Morley CLP member

    “Having known Mark for many years I know he will make a truly effective member of parliament for the Morley constituency. Mark is not only a kind, caring and friendly person, but also tremendously hardworking, intelligent and with a real drive to get things done. I know he is committed to being a visible, approachable and accessible representative for the people of Leeds South West and Morley and will make a great voice for the Labour Party both at the local level and nationally”.

  • Neil Dawson, Former Morley South Labour Councillor and Labour PPC for Morley and Outwood 2017

    "Mark would be a great candidate (and MP) as he has the local knowledge and proven campaigning skills to win here for Labour. I have known Mark for many years and during all that time he has worked long and hard for the Labour Party and local people."

  • Rachel Gregg, Leeds South West and Morley CLP member

    "As a fellow teacher and trade unionist, I know Mark understand the challenges facing our schools. Young people in the Leeds South West and Morley constituency are being held back by the Conservatives. We need a Labour MP who will fight for more funding for local schools and more opportunities for young people growing up here. I know Mark has what it takes to be a strong advocate for the next generation. He has my full support."

  • Sir John Battle, Labour MP for Leeds West 1987-2010

    "Having campaigned closely with Mark, he is an exemplar 'people-person' with great positive interpersonal skills; he listens attentively and responds engagingly to everyone he meets. He is a door-to-door, person-to-person campaigner. Moreover he is true to his word and get things done. A good political antennae and party-building experience situates him a local Labour national champion in the making."

  • Adrian McCluskey, Farnley and Wortley Labour councillor

    "I first worked with Mark early in his bid to become the first Labour councillor for Farnley and Wortley ward in Leeds in a number of years. Immediately I was impressed with his motivation, dedication and hard work rate. In our ward Mark has become a synonym for effective politics. His reputation is that of successfully getting things done to the great satisfaction and appreciation of residents. Mark not only gets things done up front, his behind-the-scenes ability to set up structures whether it be creating campaigns or the day to day business of politics is incredibly impressive. I have absolutely no hesitation in supporting Mark as our Labour MP for Leeds South West and Morley."

  • Karen Renshaw, Ardsley and Robin Hood Labour Councillor

    "I have known Mark for many years and have always been impressed by his work ethic and determination to make a difference. I am confident that he will be a fantastic MP for the whole of the Leeds South West and Morley constituency. As a councillor in Farnley and Wortley, he has proven himself to be a tireless public servant who supports people when they need it most and knows how to make change happen. He has my full support."

  • Matthew Perkins, Leeds South West and Morley CLP member

    "I used to be a Green Party activist but then I met Mark who won me over to Labour's cause. Mark has been a tireless champion for the Farnley and Wortley community and has made a real difference to local people. Mark has a reputation as a hardworking councillor who gets things done. Mark has not only inspired me to switch my vote from Green to Labour but also to join the Labour Party and campaign for them year round. I believe Mark would be a fantastic MP for the new Leeds South West and Morley constituency."

  • Cindy Gavin, Leeds South West and Morley CLP member

    "I am proud to be backing Mark on his journey to Parliament. Mark has a strong record of winning marginal seats for Labour and delivering for the communities he represents. Mark was born and bred in the constituency and understands the issues we all face. I know he will be a strong voice for local people on the national stage. He has my full support."

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