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Sarah Sackman

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Sarah Rebecca Sackman is a British barrister and Labour Party politician who has served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Finchley and Golders Green, and as the Solicitor General for England and Wales since 2024. She has gained prominence for her work in environmental and public law, as well as her political activities within the Labour Party.

Sarah Sackman
KC MP
Sackman in 2024
Solicitor General for England and Wales
Incumbent
Assumed office
9 July 2024
Prime MinisterKeir Starmer
Preceded byRobert Courts
Member of Parliament
for Finchley and Golders Green
Incumbent
Assumed office
4 July 2024
Preceded byMike Freer
Majority4,581 (9.2%)
Personal details
Born
Sarah Rebecca Sackman

London, England
RelationsSolomon Seruya (grandfather)
Children2
Alma mater
Websitehttps://sarahsackman.com/

Early life and education

Sarah Rebecca Sackman[citation needed] was born and raised in East Finchley, London, England.[1] Her father is a North London solicitor of Eastern European descent who moved to East London. Her mother's family moved from Tarragona in Spain,[2] Italy, and Morocco to Gibraltar, where they own a 150-year old perfumery.[3] Sarah's maternal grandfather was Gibraltar's former Minister for Economic Development and former independent MP in the Gibraltar Legislative Council Solomon Seruya.[4]

Sackman was privately educated at South Hampstead High School,[1] where she was head girl.[5] She then studied history at Queens' College, Cambridge, where she graduated with a first-class BA degree in 2006.[6] She went on to obtain a Graduate Diploma in Law with distinction at City, University of London and an LLM from Harvard Law School specialising in cities, housing, local government, and poverty law.[7]

Sackman took a scholarship as a judicial clerkship at the Supreme Court of Israel in Jerusalem.[8] She was called to the bar at the Inner Temple in November 2008.[9] From October 2008 Sackman worked as a barrister and housing expert for Francis Taylor Building, a chambers specialising in planning law.[10][11] Sackman took on human rights training at the British Council in Yangon, Burma in 2013.[8][12]

In 2017 The Markaz El Tathgheef el-Eslami group (MTE) bought Golders Green Hippodrome with the intention of converting it into an Islamic centre. There were a number of objections from residents who cited concerns such as parking and congestion but some opposed the move on the grounds of a Muslim centre being located in an area (Golders Green) with a large Jewish population.[13] Sackman, acting for MTE, said it was hard to see how it had "not been treated differently to other religious groups who have previously used the building."[14] In 2021 Hillsong Church purchased the venue.[15]

Sackman contributed a chapter to Community-Led Generation - A Toolkit for Residents and Planners by Pablo Sendra and Daniel Fitzpatrick on using the law to challenge redevelopment through courts. The book was published in 2020.[16]

Between September 2021 and 2024[17] Sackman worked as a barrister at Matrix Chambers along with Richard Hermer the current Attorney General for England and Wales[8][18][19][20] and worked on a number of cases mainly focused on Public and Environmental Law.[21]

In 2022 Sackman worked on the appellant team in R (on the application of Coughlan) v Minister for the Cabinet Office against the government trial of voter ID arguing that it was unlawful to be made under Representation of the People Act 2000.[22][23] The appeal was dismissed on grounds that section 10 enabled pilot schemes under the condition that the government encouraged voting which it did where reduction in voter fraud increased voter confidence.[24]

Early political career

2015 General Election

In 2015 Sackman stood for the Labour Party in Finchley and Golders Green; she won the preliminary selection against Alon Or-Bach and Catherine Tuitt.[1] She lost the election to the incumbent Mike Freer who won with a majority of 5,662 votes.[25] Sackman was vice-chair of the Jewish Labour Movement between 2015 and 2024.[26] In 2016 Sackman gave a speech on 80th anniversary of Battle of Cable Street.[2]

2024 general election

In 2024 Sackman stood again for the same constituency against Arjun Mittra and won the preliminary.[27] Sackman stood on supporting economic growth, particularly in small businesses, cutting business rates for small businesses and freezing energy prices, investing in skills and giving grants to provide work for young unemployed. Putting more money into the NHS, a new system where care for the elderly. Get more police back on the streets.[28] She holds that a Labour government would continue to regard British ties with Israel as important. But she said it must continue to advocate for a negotiated peace with the Palestinians, and for "democratic values".[3]

Sackman was backed by a number of Labour politicians, including Prime Ministers Gordon Brown,[29] Keir Starmer[30] and Chancellor Rachel Reeves.[31] Sackman won the election with a majority of 4,581 votes.[32] In her victory speech, which was held at Royal Air Force Museum[33] Sackman said the community would "triumph over hate" in a campaign in which Labour's record on tackling anti-semitism came under the spotlight.[34] and that she would help to build: "A society where nurses aren't forced to visit foodbanks; where women and girls aren't afraid to walk home at night; where we act when we see the planet on fire, and where we welcome rather than demonise those, like my ancestors, who come to this country fleeing persecution."[35][36]

Member of Parliament (2024–present)

Inside Housing listed Sackman as one of eight newly elected MPs who would be advocates for the cause of social housing in the new Labour government due to her experience with planning and environmental law and her work with the charity Shelter.[37]

On 9 July 2024, she was appointed Solicitor General for England and Wales.[38][39][40] Sackman took her Oath on the Hebrew Bible.[41] She had wanted to take the oath on the Hertz Chumash but could not do so as it was not held by the House of Commons Library, and was informed that the 1743 edition of the Hebrew Bible was too delicate to take out the library.[42] In her maiden speech on 22 July 2024, Sackman paid tribute to her predecessor Mike Freer, and compared herself to another one of her predecessors, Margaret Thatcher, saying that, unlike Thatcher, she fundamentally believed in the existence and value of society. Sackman noted that, in recent times, some politicians[43] have chosen to use "North Londoner" as an insult, but her and her constituents wear it as a badge of pride. Sackman promised to "tirelessly call out antisemitism and Islamophobia", and voiced support for the bills in the 2024 King's Speech as a vehicle to restore British public services.[44][45]

In response to the 2024 United Kingdom riots which named North Finchley as a possible gathering place for the 7th August outside immigration law specialists[46][47][48] Sackman called the targeting of this service "disgusting"[49] and on the day of the planned riot chaired a meeting of unity with Jewish and Muslim leaders to deepen community cohesion.[50][51]

She has gained prominence for her work in environmental and public law, as well as her political activities within the Labour Party.[52]

Political positions

Assisted dying

Sackman published a letter to her constituents in October 2024 that she would support Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. She said her central reason for supporting the bill was a respect for individual autonomy and was struck by that in dying we have no control. Quoting Jonathan Romain that the Bill is about shortening death - not shortening life, in her own words "the right to choose is an expression of the liberty which is, in essence, what makes life so precious".[53]

Personal life

Sackman is a member of New North London Synagogue.[54] She has two children and is married to a lawyer; they married in Bevis Marks Synagogue.[55]

Sackman served as a school governor for four years in a state primary in Camden and has also volunteered at Toynbee Hall Free Legal Advice Centre.[8]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Lawyer Sarah Sackman to stand as Labour candidate for Finchley and Golders Green". Ham & High. 2 September 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  2. ^ a b Sackman, Sarah (10 October 2016). "JLM Vice Chair Sarah Sackman's speech to the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street". The Jewish Labour Movement. Jewish Labour Movement. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  3. ^ a b Rose, David. "Sir Keir's Jewish candidate for Finchley opens up about family life". The JC. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  4. ^ "UK's Solicitor General reminds Commons of her Gibraltarian roots in maiden speech". Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  5. ^ "Labour's Sarah Sackman tipped as 'most likely to become PM' at school". Ham & High. 17 April 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  6. ^ "Queens' College Record 2007", p. 43. queens.cam.ac.uk. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  7. ^ https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/lselondon/challenges-of-participation-and-representation-in-urban-development-sarah-sackman-barrister-at-francis-taylor-building-lent-term-seminar/
  8. ^ a b c d "Sarah Sackman". Matrix Chambers.
  9. ^ Board, The Bar Standards. "Barrister Details - Miss Sarah Rebecca Sackman". www.barstandardsboard.org.uk. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  10. ^ "[Home page]". Francis Taylor Building. Archived from the original on 5 July 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  11. ^ "Sarah Sackman | Barrister London | Francis Taylor Building". 31 July 2021. Archived from the original on 31 July 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  12. ^ "Sarah Sackman". Legal500. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  13. ^ Sherwood, Harriet (6 November 2017). "Faith leaders condemn 'racist' objections to Golders Green mosque". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  14. ^ Doherty, Rosa. "Golders Green Islamic centre decision delay". The JC. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  15. ^ Sherwood, Harriet (21 October 2021). "Megachurch buys Golders Green Hippodrome after mosque plan blocked". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  16. ^ Sendra, Pablo; Fitzpatrick, Daniel (15 April 2020). Community-Led Generation: A Toolkit for Residents and Planners. UCL Press. ISBN 978-1-78735-606-1.
  17. ^ "Sarah Sackman LinkedIn". LinkedIn.
  18. ^ "Richard Hermer KC". Matrix Chambers. Archived from the original on 8 July 2024. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  19. ^ Harpin, Lee (6 July 2024). "Starmer appoints lawyer who opposed Gove's anti-BDS bill as Attorney General". Jewish News. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  20. ^ Fouzder, Monidipa. "Barrister-MP Sackman is solicitor general". Law Gazette. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  21. ^ "British and Irish Legal Information Institute - Search results for Sarah Sackman". British and Irish Legal Information Institute (Search results on cases from the Courts of the four jurisdictions of the United Kingdom and from the Courts of Ireland.). Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  22. ^ "Supreme Court hears Voter ID challenge". Matrix Chambers. 15 February 2022. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  23. ^ "R (on the application of Coughlan) (Appellant) v Minister for the Cabinet Office (Respondent) - The Supreme Court". The Supreme Court. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  24. ^ "JUDGMENT R (on the application of Coughlan) (Appellant) v Minister for the Cabinet Office (Respondent)" (PDF). Supreme Court UK.
  25. ^ "Election result for Finchley and Golders Green (Constituency) - MPs and Lords - UK Parliament". Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  26. ^ Langlebe, Adam (3 February 2015). "JLM Elects New National Executive Committee". The Jewish Labour Movement. Archived from the original on 16 July 2024. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  27. ^ Neame, Katie (12 October 2022). "Four make longlist for parliamentary selection in Finchley and Golders Green". LabourList. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  28. ^ "Sarah Sackman tells Parikiaki why she should be the next MP for Finchley & Golders Green | Parikiaki Cyprus and Cypriot News". 2 April 2015. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  29. ^ Bell-Cross, Lorin. "Former PM backs Labour's Sackman in Golders Green". The JC. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  30. ^ Harpin, Lee (7 June 2024). "Starmer: There has to be a 'safe and secure Israel' for Labour to recognise Palestine". Jewish News. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  31. ^ Harpin, Lee (7 February 2023). "Rachel Reeves: My anger at Labour MP's 'fascist Israel' outburst". Jewish News. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  32. ^ "Finchley and Golders Green - General election results 2024". BBC News. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  33. ^ Dunne, John (5 July 2024). "Labour wins Margaret Thatcher's former constituency from Tories". Evening Standard. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  34. ^ Dunne, John (5 July 2024). "Labour wins Margaret Thatcher's former constituency from Tories". Evening Standard. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  35. ^ Floyd, David (5 July 2024). "Victorious Sarah Sackman says "changed Labour" is "beacon of hope"". Barnet Post. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  36. ^ Evening Standard (5 July 2024). "Finchley And Golders Green: Labour's Sarah Sackman Wins - Evening Standard". Sarah Sackman Victory Speech following election to MP of Finchley and Golders Green (UK Parliament constituency). Royal Air Force Museum London. x91k64k. Retrieved 12 July 2024 – via Dailymotion.
  37. ^ Birch, Jules (20 August 2010). "The new generation of social housing allies in Westminster". Inside Housing. Archived from the original on 9 July 2024. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  38. ^ "Finchley and Golders Green MP given ministerial role". Barnet Post. Archived from the original on 9 July 2024. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  39. ^ Hoyle, Sir Lindsay (10 July 2024). "Commons business papers - Votes and Proceedings Wednesday 10 July 2024 - Chamber business". Uk Parliament. Archived from the original on 19 July 2024. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  40. ^ Morton, Becky; Zeffman, Henry. "Starmer gives government jobs to brand new MPs". BBC News. Archived from the original on 9 July 2024. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  41. ^ "Parliamentlive.tv - House of Commons.html". parliamentlive.tv. House of Commons: © Parliamentary Copyright. 10 July 2024. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  42. ^ Bell-Cross, Lorin. "Which texts did Jewish MPs swear their oath of allegiance on?". www.thejc.com. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  43. ^ Mead, Rebecca (29 October 2022). "The Hypocrisy of Rishi Sunak's "North London" Slur". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Archived from the original on 29 October 2022. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  44. ^ Harpin, Lee (22 July 2024). "Sackman accuses Braverman of trying to 'rewrite history' as she delivers maiden speech". Jewish News. Archived from the original on 22 July 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  45. ^ "Sarah Sackman maiden speech - Parliamentlive.tv - House of Commons - Monday 22 July 2024". parliamentlive.tv. House of Commons: © Parliamentary Copyright. Archived from the original on 22 July 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  46. ^ "Neo-Nazis Call for Arson Attacks on Immigration-related Charities, Advice Centres and Solicitors". Redflare. 5 August 2024 [2024-08-05]. Archived from the original on 29 November 2024. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  47. ^ Bolton, Tim (6 August 2024). "Full list of immigration centres where these low lives are planning on turning up tomorrow night". Twitter. Uncensored list of immigration centers first published and then later censored by Red Flare. Archived from the original on 29 November 2024. Retrieved 29 November 2024 – via Twitter.
  48. ^ Busby-McVey, Lorraine (6 August 2024). "Update from Neighbourhood Superintendent Lorraine Busby-McVey - 5:29 PM · Aug 6, 2024". Twitter. Barnet MPS North West BCU. Archived from the original on 29 November 2024.
  49. ^ Raffray, Nathalie (6 August 2024). "MP claims far right riot action planned for North Finchley". Ham & High (Digital). Archived from the original on 29 November 2024. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  50. ^ Harpin, Lee (7 August 2024). "Sackman chairs unity meeting with Jewish and Muslim leaders ahead of far-right Finchley demo". Jewish News. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  51. ^ Floyd, David (7 August 2024). "Sarah Sackman: "This is not our Finchley"". Barnet Post. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  52. ^ Courea, Eleni (5 June 2024). "Rising stars who could play a big part in a Labour government". The Guardian.
  53. ^ Sackman, Sarah (28 November 2024), English: A letter from Sarah Sackman to her constituents on her decision in how she will vote for the assisted dying bill (PDF), retrieved 28 November 2024
  54. ^ Rose, David. "'I'll be a strong Jewish voice in government pledges Labour's candidate for Golders Green". The JC. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  55. ^ Sackman, Sarah. "Sarah Sackman on X_ _I love Bevis Marks Synagogue".
 
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2024–present 		Incumbent
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