Top Qs
Timeline
Chat
Perspective
Sam Rushworth
British politician From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Remove ads
Samuel Jonathan Rushworth (born 1984) is a British Labour Party politician who has served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bishop Auckland since 2024.[1] He previously worked in international development.
Remove ads
Early life and education
Rushworth grew up in Blackpool, and was educated at Hodgson High School, a state secondary school in Poulton-le-Fylde. He pursued higher education at the University of Manchester, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in economics and social studies, specialising in development economics.[2]
Rushworth furthered his studies with a Master of Arts (MA) degree in international development from the University of Manchester. He also holds a Diploma in Advanced Business French from the Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie de Paris[2] and a Master of Research (MRes) degree in education and international development from the University of East Anglia, where he later completed his PhD. His doctoral thesis, titled "“Teacher, do you think I have a bright future?” - Anxiety and uncertainty in a Rwandan Catholic Secondary Boarding and Day School", which offers an in-depth ethnographic study of Rwandan adolescents in a Catholic boarding school. His work focuses on the themes of anxiety and uncertainty in educational settings.[3]
Remove ads
Early career
Summarize
Perspective
Rushworth's career began in various roles that laid the foundation for his future work in international development and education. He served as a Project Manager for Stockport Council and later as a Volunteering and Training Manager for the British Red Cross.[2] He was Youth Club Manager at the Hamlet Centre and as an Associate Tutor at the University of East Anglia.[4]
Rushworth's work in international development began with his work at the Aegis Trust, an organization dedicated to the prevention of genocide and mass atrocities.[5] He held multiple positions, including Head of Engagement, Director of Strategy, and Special Advisor to the Head of Strategy.[2] He specialized in education and conflict prevention, developing and implementing strategies to promote peace and stability in conflict-affected regions.
In 2017, Rushworth co-founded African Dreams Ltd, a consultancy focused on development projects in Rwanda, where he continues to serve as CEO. He also founded Our World Research & Consultancy Ltd, providing strategic advice and research services on global development issues.[6]
He also worked as a Lecturer at Macclesfield College of Further Education and has been involved in various research projects.[7] Prior to becoming an MP he was the Programme Manager for the Strategic Research Fund at Durham University, where he oversaw initiatives aimed at fostering innovative research and development.[2]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Rushworth and his family walked from coast to coast to raise funds for Children North East, a charity supporting disadvantaged children.[8]
Remove ads
Political career
Summarize
Perspective
Rushworth stood in the seats of Blackpool North and Cleveleys in 2015 and Tatton in 2017.[9]
He was selected as the Labour Party's prospective parliamentary candidate for Bishop Auckland in 2022, a previously 'Red Wall' seat, but one of many that fell to the Conservatives at the 2019 General Election in 2022.[10] He successfully contested the seat in the 2024 general election, winning 17,036 votes, or 42.1% of the overall vote, with a majority of 6,672.[11] He was also the chair of Bishop Auckland Constituency Labour Party.[12]
He has served on the executive board of the Labour Campaign for International Development (LCID) and is known for his advocacy on issues such as child poverty.[13]
He is a member of the International Development Select Committee,[14] and chairs the T-levels and Extraordinary Rendition All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPG), as well as being co-chair of the Investment Fraud and fairer Financial Services APPG, and a vice chair of the Rural Services, Men and Boys' issues and Climate Nature and Security APPGs.[15]
He voted against the Terminally Ill Adults (end of life) Bill, which would legalise assisted dying in the UK at both second and third reading.
In May 2025 a man was sentenced to one and half years in prison for repeatedly threatening to kill him, in comments referred to by the judge at sentencing as "vile."[16]
In July 2025 he was one of 127 MPs who signed the reasoned amendment protesting against the Universal Credit and PIP Bill, before ultimately voting for the legislation after concessions were made by the Government, including the cancellation of any immediate changes to PIP.[17]
Personal life
Rushworth is married to Siobhain, and they have five children[18][19] He is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has worked with the church to bring delegations of women and youth from countries affected by interfaith conflict.[20][21] He has said that his grandmother died as a result of the Infected Blood Scandal.[22]
References
External links
Wikiwand - on
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Remove ads