Alan Mak

Alan Mak cites Margaret Thatcher as his political hero, and it is easy to see why. Like the former Prime Minister he grew up above his parents’ shop in York, and she inspired his immigrant parents to become Conservatives. It was her government, too, which enabled him to attend St Peter’s School, York through the Assisted Places Scheme, a benefit to him which he says transformed his life. Mak cites his proudest political achievement to date as being his successful campaign to ban the use of fax machines and pagers in the NHS, but this merely scratches the surface of his deep interest in the use of technology in a changing society. With the help of Labour’s Wes Streeting and Peter Kyle, Mak established the Fourth Industrial Revolution APPG, many of whose recommendations have become government policy, but which he firmly believes is a cross party issue that the UK must get right by working together. Falling in place neatly alongside technology, Mak is a consistent champion in Parliament of innovation, and describes “Start-Up Nation: The Story of Israel’s Economic Miracle” by Dan Senor and Saul Singer as particularly influential in this regard. As the first person of Chinese origin to be elected to Parliament, it is no surprise that Mak has an interest in the changing Anglo-Sino relationship. He is proud of his heritage and became an ambassador for The Blossom Awards, which is a celebration of the contribution of the British-Chinese Community to the UK, at the start of 2020. Other voluntary work spans his constituency and the nation. He is a former President and Trustee of Magic Breakfast and has been involved in the charity for over ten years during which time he secured funding for breakfast clubs in his constituency seat. He is also the Vice President of the Havant Branch of the Royal British Legion, and is a graduate of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme, completing his year’s “work experience” with the Royal Navy.