Alistair Strathern

Alistair Strathern
Born	(1990-03-05) March 5, 1990 Bedfordshire, England
Occupation(s)	Politician, former teacher
Years active	2014–present
Known for	Member of Parliament for Mid Bedfordshire (2023–2024), MP for Hitchin (2024–present)

Alistair Luke Strathern (born 5 March 1990) is a British politician affiliated with the Labour Party, currently serving as the MP for Hitchin since 2024. Prior to this, he held the parliamentary seat for Mid Bedfordshire following his victory in the 2023 by-election.

Early life and education

Born and raised in Bedfordshire on 5 March 1990, Strathern attended Sharnbrook Academy before pursuing a degree in philosophy, politics, and economics at St Anne's College, Oxford, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts. During his time at Oxford, he led the Oxford University Labour Club as chair and ran unsuccessfully for the Holywell ward in the 2010 Oxford City Council elections.

Early career

Following university, Strathern joined the Bank of England, concentrating on the regulation of climate risk insurance. Before this, he worked as a mathematics teacher. He also served as a Labour councillor representing Higham Hill on the Waltham Forest London Borough Council from May 2014 until his resignation in September 2023.

Within Waltham Forest Council, he held the role of "Cabinet Member for 15-Minute Neighbourhoods". Additionally, from 2014 to 2015, he was a director at Ascham Homes Limited, an arms-length management organisation responsible for overseeing council housing in the borough.

Parliamentary career

Strathern secured election as MP for Mid Bedfordshire in the 2023 Mid Bedfordshire by-election, obtaining 34.1% of votes and winning by a margin of 1,192.

The The Guardian characterized this outcome as a notable setback for Rishi Sunak's prospects of retaining power in the upcoming 2024 general election. During the campaign, the i highlighted Strathern’s "dependable, almost old-fashioned" style alongside his positive yet reserved demeanor.

In January 2024, he was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary to both the Shadow Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, and the Shadow Climate Secretary, Ed Miliband.

That same month, Strathern declared his candidacy for the Hitchin constituency at the forthcoming 2024 general election—a seat that now includes his residence in Shefford due to boundary adjustments. At that election, he was elected MP for Hitchin with 44.8% of the vote and an 8,109 majority.

Personal life

Strathern has taken part in demonstrations organised by environmental organisation Greenpeace, including a 2022 protest outside the Home Office opposing the Public Order Act. His participation became public months later, leading to calls from defence secretary Grant Shapps demanding he withdraw from parliamentary contention. A photograph showing Strathern dressed as a zombie at this protest appeared on the front page of The Sun on 8 August 2023 under the headline "Wannabe Labour MP unmasked as 'zombie' Greenpeace zealot". Strathern has stated that he does not regret his involvement in the demonstration.

His partner is Megan Corton Scott, who serves as Deputy Director of the Labour Climate and Environment Forum. Strathern has experienced a mild lisp which has lessened over time. He is also a first cousin once removed of former Prime Minister Theresa May.

External links

• Official website