Who Am I?
I'm David, and I've lived in Essex since 1999. I'm happily married to Mark and I'm a proud Dog Daddy to Lotti, our crazy dalmatian.
Growing up in Liverpool in the 1980s in a one parent family was tough. Despite the horrendous government of Margaret Thatcher and the financial challenges we faced, my Mum set me on the right path and made sure I had every opportunity to get on in life.
There is no doubt that my Labour values today are firmly rooted in my working class upbringing, and my mum's work ethic is deeply engrained in me.
I finished my education and entered the world of work near the start of the last Labour Government. The opportunities available to me then were vastly different to those facing our young people and our country today.
I know the difference a Labour Government can make and right now we need this Government more than ever.
My deep passion in life is fighting for equality and inclusion for the many in our society, challenging injustice and enabling people to thrive. I have a proven track record of making a difference for people’s lives.
Since being elected as your MP, I have been fighting for my constituents in Southend West & Leigh so they have the opportunities to access the services and support they need to live a healthier, happier and fairer lives.
Economy & Business
From supporting our local businesses to championing the voice of business in Westminster, and from making energy bills cheaper and lifting children out of poverty, I back an economy that works for all.
Education & Young People
From improving SEND support, to free breakfast clubs, and from a renewed curriculum and rebuilding crumbling schools, there's been lots of success in improving education in Southend West and Leigh.
Healthcare & Services
From new Community Diagnostic Centres to cutting bureaucracy, and from fighting for better local services and pushing for improvements at our hospital, there's been lots done and lots more to do on healthcare.
Community & Transport
From tackling anti-social behaviour to investing in better and new bus routes, and from celebrating civic pride to working with local stakeholders, I'm committed to investing in building a community that works for all.
A RECORD OF DELIVERY
EDUCATION & YOUNG PEOPLE
- Visiting every school in the constituency to engage with young people, speak with the amazing staff teaching and supporting them, and hearing what matters to the next generation of leaders.
- Secured £132,000 of Government investment to open a Best Start Family Hub here in Southend by April 2026.
- Providing regular SEND support and advice to families across Southend West and Leigh, and starting the See Every Need initiative to embed local voices into national policy.
- Fighting for and getting £1,534,736 for the Experts at Hand service to improve access to SEND support for young people.
- Successfully lobbying for Southend to have one of the 80 brand new Youth Hubs being rolled out by the Government.
- Holding regular Youth Days inviting local schools to take part in talks and activities about a range of topics - such as apprenticeships, health and safety, and further education.
HEALTH & WELLBEING
- Unlocked £739,352 additional funding for Southend Council from the Labour Government to help support those who are currently facing or at risk of homelessness.
- £1,250 raised for vital lifesaving bleed kits as part of my Miles for Lives fundraiser.
- Held a number of meetings with the CEO of the Mid and South Essex ICB around issues accessing ADHD medication, pressing for faster solutions.
- Supported Southend Hospital by fighting for more Government investment, as well as held failings to account, as it continues to progress and develop - including the construction of a new Radiography Unit with 2 new LINAC machines and an extension to the Emergency Department.
WORKING IN WESTMINSTER
- Member of the Women and Equalities Committee, working on building a safer and more inclusive Britain for all.
- Vice Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Ukraine, and the All Party Parliamentary Group for Micromobility.
- Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Fair Banking, and the All Party Parliamentary Group for Open Finance & Payments.
- Chair for the All Party Parliamentary Group for Male Suicide and Mental Health.
- More than 100 Spoken Contributions and Written Questions combined.
- Sat on the Crime and Policing Act and the Mental Health Act Bill Committees
- More than 450 votes in Parliament to improve the lives of everyone in Southend West and Leigh.
COMMUNITY CHAMPION
- Leading multiple local campaigns based on residents' concerns: We Love Westcliff, See Every Need, and Opportunity Southend.
- Over 17,000 caseworks cases opened since my election in July 2024, with more than 12,000 resolved already.
- Held at least 22 Advice Surgeries, including specialist surgeries and SOS Surgeries featuring local partners like Citizens Advice, Southend Council, the DWP, and SNAP - ensuring we connect those who need help with the people best placed to provide it.
- Weekly door knocking sessions and regular Street Surgeries, Coffee Mornings and Supermarket Drop-ins to help improve access to me for as many of you as possible.
- Water Summits going from strength to strength demonstrates our community's commitment to cleaning up our waterways, and my own personal mission to holding Anglian Water to account by strengthening the powers of the Environment Agency and a new water regulator.
- Meeting regularly with faith leaders and community groups to ensure a close relationship that benefits all of us.