Rachael Maskell

A “proud trade unionist” known for campaigning for a “fairer, more equal society” and human rights, Rachael Maskell’s socially progressive voting record is tempered by her Christian beliefs. Correspondingly, she was one of only five Labour MPs to vote against ending the near-ban on abortions in Northern Ireland. Maskell is one of 38 Labour Co-operative MPs that were elected in 2017. Since 2017, Maskell has been a member of the ecclesiastical committee. Previously, she worked as part of the shadow defence team, as shadown transport and shadow environment secretary. She supported “We Own It”’s campaign to end the privatisation of water and give up items wrapped in or made of plastic for the duration of Lent. Maskell resigned as shadow environment secretary ahead of the vote on triggering Article 50. Working in the NHS for 20 years as well as a national official of Unite the Union has heavily influenced Maskell’s left wing ideology, evident in her criticism of the lack of affordable housing provision in the York Central Plan. Her agenda is to end “corporate greed being put ahead of local need”. In 2019, she was appointed shadow employment rights secretary.