Paul Waugh
Paul Waugh | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2024 | |
| Member of Parliament for Rochdale | |
| Assumed office 4 July 2024 | |
| Preceded by | George Galloway |
| Majority | 1,440 (3.5%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1966 or 1967 (age 57–58)[1] Wardle, Lancashire, England |
| Political party | Labour Co-op |
| Alma mater | University of Oxford University of Cardiff |
| Occupation |
|
Paul Waugh is a British politician and journalist who has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Rochdale since 2024. Running under the Labour Co-op banner, he unseated George Galloway, the Workers Party of Britain's sole MP.
Early life and education
[edit]Waugh was born in Wardle, Lancashire and raised on a council estate in Spotland, Rochdale.[2] Educated at Oulder Hill Community School, he later studied philosophy and physiology at the University of Oxford and journalism at the University of Cardiff.[3]
Journalism career
[edit]Waugh has been political editor of HuffPost UK, editor of PoliticsHome and deputy political editor of The Independent, as well as the London Evening Standard. He also worked for the i newspaper and presented the Week in Westminster for the BBC.[4][5][6]
Political career
[edit]Waugh had put himself forward to be the Labour candidate for the 2024 Rochdale by-election but lost the nomination to Azhar Ali, who in turn was suspended from the party.[7][8] Waugh's wife works for the National Health Service, and he has said potential improvement of the health system was one of the major motivating factors in running for Parliament.[9] In the 2024 general election, he was elected as the Labour and Co-operative Member of Parliament for Rochdale.[10][9] Waugh was critical of its previous MP George Galloway, labelling him as "Putin's parrot" and an extremist.[9]
Following his election to Parliament, Waugh was elected to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee.[11][12]
References
[edit]- ^ Craig, Jon (27 January 2024). "Falling by the Waugh-side – former journalist fails to clinch chance to be MP". Sky News. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ "Rochdale Development Agency". Rochdale Development Agency. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
- ^ "Real Rochdale Summer 2021: Paul Waugh: From Rochdale to Westminster". www.realrochdale.co.uk. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
- ^ "Journalist Paul Waugh to stand as Labour candidate in Rochdale". www.rochdaleonline.co.uk. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ O'Neill, Laura (29 May 2024). "Rochdale: Political journalist Paul Waugh vies to become Labour MP". BBC News. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ "Paul Waugh to fight Rochdale seat for Labour". The Spectator. 30 May 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ Ahmed, Jabed (5 July 2024). "George Galloway loses Rochdale seat to Labour four months after by-election win". Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ Robson, Steve (27 January 2024). "Paul Waugh loses out in bid to stand as new Labour MP for Rochdale". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ a b c Davenport, Hannah (30 May 2024). "Who is Paul Waugh, the Labour candidate chosen to take on George Galloway in Rochdale?". Left Foot Forward. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ "Rochdale – General election results 2024". BBC News. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ Newbould, Chris (29 October 2024). "Rochdale MP, former HuffPost/Indie journo and Radio 4 host Waugh among new faces on culture, media and sport committee". Prolific North. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
- ^ "Full Culture, Media and Sport Committee revealed". Arts Professional. 29 October 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
External links
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