Tracy Brabin

Known for her career acting in soap operas, Tracey Brabin was appointed Shadow Culture Secretary by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in January 2020. Brabin has starred in many well-known British soaps, including EastEnders, Coronation Street and Casualty. She is also a successful screenwriter (with a Master’s degree in the subject), and has written for Heartbeat, Crossroads and Hollyoaks. Having publicly backed the Labour party since the 1997 election, Brabin was a friend of Jo Cox and frequently campaigned with her, calling her a “true inspiration and an extraordinary woman,” speaking after her murder in 2016. Brabin became an MP following Jo Cox’s death, as the successful candidate in the by-election of Cox’s former seat, Batley and Spen. She was re-elected in the 2017 general election and, in July of that year, was appointed Shadow Early Years Minister. Despite her constituency voting 60% to leave the EU, Brabin was an early advocate for a second referendum on Brexit. Recently, she nominated Keir Starmer in the 2020 Labour Leadership Election, who promptly replaced her as Shadow Culture Secretary, making her Shadow Culture Minister instead. Brabin is standing as Labour candidate for the Mayor of West Yorkshire in 2021.