Alex Cunningham

Cunningham worked as a journalist and wrote for a number of Northern local papers including the Darlington & Stockton Times and the Hartlepool Mail from the mid-1970s to the late 1990s. He then moved to British Gas as a press officer and consulted local Labour parties on communications. First elected in 2010, Cunningham became a parliamentary private secretary to Sadiq Khan during the future Mayor of London’s time as shadow justice secretary. After Jeremy Corbyn survived a leadership challenge in the summer of 2016, Cunningham was promoted to the position of shadow pensions secretary. However, Cunningham resigned only a year later after rebelling against the Labour whip on a Brexit vote, arguing that remaining in the customs union was an essential step toward protecting jobs in his constituency. Cunningham has also been a long-time campaigner for a ban on smoking in cars when children are present. He nominated Keir Starmer for Labour leader in 2020. He has directed elderly constituents toward charity mental health support during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hot Seat

What entertainment do you enjoy on a free evening?

Theatre, reading, gardening.

If writing a local guidebook, which walks, museums, or other local attractions would you recommend?

Don’t miss the annual Stockton International Riverside Festival or Billingham International Folklore Festival.

Which MP from a different party do you most admire or enjoy working with?

Bob Blackman on smoking issues