In a stunning turn of events, Keir Mather, the recently elected Labour MP, expressed lightheartedness when asked about becoming “the Baby of the House.” At just 25 years old, he clinched the title of the youngest MP in the Commons after toppling a significant 20,137 majority in the fiercely contested North Yorkshire constituency of Selby & Ainsty.
Following his victorious by-election campaign, Mr. Mather delivered a speech acknowledging the magnitude of his achievement. “We have rewritten the rules on where Labour can win. People have opened their doors to us and embraced our positive vision for the future,” he proudly declared. Clearly, the people of Selby & Ainsty sent a resounding message of dissatisfaction with the Conservative party’s past performance, both locally and in Westminster.
During his campaign, Mr. Mather engaged with hundreds of constituents on their doorsteps, gaining firsthand insights into the hardships they endured. He placed the blame squarely on the Conservatives’ 13-year negligence and complacency, which further compounded the challenges faced by the community.
As a young political representative, Mr. Mather passionately spoke about his commitment to being the voice of young people, striving to bring about meaningful change. When questioned about his ability to understand voters’ concerns at his age, he asserted, “Well, I’m a taxpayer too, I feel the pressures like anyone else.”
Hailing from Hull and growing up near Selby, Mr. Mather’s background showcased a strong connection to the region. His recent experience as a senior public affairs adviser for the Confederation of British Industry and former role as a parliamentary researcher for Wes Streeting from 2019 to 2020 demonstrated his suitability for the position.
Unwavering in his support for Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer’s policies, Mr. Mather affirmed his backing for the two-child benefit cap, citing the challenging economic circumstances that the Labour government is poised to inherit from the Conservatives.
Throughout the campaign, the cost-of-living crisis loomed large as the number one issue on the minds of constituents. Mr. Mather acknowledged that the local residents’ frustrations with the way the Conservative MP (Nigel Adams) stepped down played a role in the outcome. However, he emphasized that voters chose Labour because of the party’s concrete plan to address their concerns.
While Conservative MP Johnny Mercer attempted to belittle Mr. Mather’s age with a jibe, the victorious Labour MP’s momentous win proved that age was no barrier to making a significant impact in politics.