Celebrating Women MPs in Parliament

Photographed by Natalie Persoglio

Charlotte Nichols has been the Labour MP for Warrington North since December 2019, securing a renewed mandate in the 2024 election. A graduate of the University of Liverpool, she began her career with grassroots trade union work for USDAW and later the GMB, advocating for better pay and conditions for workers at Amazon, Asda and logistics depots in Warrington. In Parliament, Charlotte has built a reputation as an active and principled voice. She served briefly as shadow minister for women and equalities in 2020–21, and contributed to several select committees, including Business and Trade, European scrutiny and statutory instruments. She introduced the Transport Disabled Passenger Charter Bill in 2021 as a private member’s bill, aiming to strengthen rights for disabled passengers—a goal that received cross-party support. Since returning to the government benches in 2024, she is the spokesperson for the Speaker’s Committee for IPSA and co-chairs All Party Parliamentary Groups on nuclear energy, pubs and video games and esports. She also contributes to all-party groups on interfaith dialogue, British Sign Language and disability rights. Locally, Charlotte is a strong advocate for Warrington. In 2025, she raised concerns about delays in opening a new special school for children with autism and SEND, urging greater government accountability. She continues to push for better funding and reforms to support families, often working alongside fellow local MP Sarah Hall.

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Photographed by Sarah Hall

Sarah Hall has served as the Labour and Co-operative MP for Warrington South since July 2024, winning with a strong majority of over 11,000 votes. Before entering Parliament, she spent eight years on Warrington Borough Council, including a key role as cabinet member for children’s services. Her work in local government reflected a longstanding dedication to community wellbeing and public services. In Westminster, Sarah sits on the influential Public Accounts Committee, reinforcing her focus on transparency and effective use of public money. She is also active in all-party parliamentary groups on autism and ADHD, drawing on her own experience of being diagnosed with ADHD in 2021. She’s since become a vocal advocate for neurodivergent voices in politics, aiming to make Westminster more inclusive and representative. On the ground in Warrington, Sarah has prioritised improving local healthcare. She used her first Prime Minister’s Questions appearance to press for new urgent treatment and outpatient facilities in the town, addressing long-standing pressure on emergency services. More recently, she backed a community-led flood recovery initiative, showing her responsiveness to local challenges. Beyond politics, Sarah is rooted in the community she represents. She lives with her husband, a frontline emergency worker, and their children in Warrington.

instagram.com/natpersogliophotos

Photographed by Alice Chapman

Charlotte Cane, Liberal Democrat MP for Ely and East Cambridgeshire. Portrait taken in Cottenham, Cambridgeshire, preparing for a constituency surgery.

Photographed by Ruth Toda-Nation

Emily Darlington, Labour MP for Milton Keynes Central. I photographed Emily in the soft evening light in Campbell Park, right in the heart of Milton Keynes — Britain’s most successful new city. It’s a park rich in stories, home to remarkable artworks like the Light Pyramid and the iconic Milton Keynes Rose, reflecting both our past, our future, and our pioneering spirit. Emily believes in the power of community, in the way spaces like this bring people together, so it felt fitting to make her portrait here.

Emily was elected as Labour MP for Milton Keynes Central in 2024, after boundary changes made it a key battleground seat — a win that helped Labour secure its overall majority. A member of the Science, Innovation and Technology Select Committee; Emily is passionate about science and advocates for leveraging local expertise and resources to drive innovation in life sciences and healthcare. She led initiatives to make Milton Keynes a White Ribbon City and a dementia-friendly city. She also spearheaded efforts to tackle homelessness after the city was labelled “tent city” in 2018, insisting that “compassion, not cruelty, is the answer to rough sleeping — we have the proof in Milton Keynes.” Emily stands not just as a politician but as a person who wants the best for our city — standing up for those who are overlooked and working for a fairer future for all.

I wanted to make a portrait that reflects her values, her mission, and her ability to bring people together, rising above divisions and obstacles. I photographed on film with my Hasselblad 500 C/M — a quiet, deliberate process that allowed the moment to unfold naturally. As I pressed the shutter, a seagull flew across the sky — a perfect symbol of freedom, hope, and a future filled with possibilities.

@ruthtodanation

Photographed by Caroline Black

Tracy Gilbert is the Labour MP for Edinburgh North & Leith, having won the seat in the 2024 general election – the first time she stood. She brings with her a wealth of experience from a distinguished career in senior union leadership.

We met for coffee in her constituency immediately after her morning surgery, bridging the two very different parts of her day. It gave us the chance to connect before the camera was introduced. Tracy exudes that characteristic down-to-earth Scottish warmth. She’s smart, sincere, witty, and reassuringly direct. Above all, she cares about people and community, describing her role as an MP as an honour. It was vital for me to capture something of all this in the portrait. I had previously chosen the location for the shoot based on the morning’s surgery, which had been scheduled in Stockbridge – a popular and well-established area of Edinburgh with a bohemian spirit and vibrant community. An entrance to the Water of Leith Walkway offered ample opportunity for both architectural and natural settings. The chosen portrait places Tracy in the foreground. The traditional Edinburgh stonework behind her suggests the solid structure of power and resiliency. The railings are symbolic of the suffragette movement and the barriers that Tracy – and other women in parliament – are in the process of overcoming. But it is Tracy’s interaction with the railings that gives this portrait its punctum; her gaze and reach gesture towards that legacy, in quiet recognition.

website: caroline.black / Instagram: Caroline.black_photography

Photographed by Anneleen Lindsay

Abtisam Mohamed, Labour MP for Sheffield Central since 2024. Prior to being an MP, Abtisam spent her whole career in Sheffield supporting communities to achieve change; working in community development, she then qualified first as a teacher then as a lawyer. She set up a practice providing legal advice and representation for disadvantaged people. She was also a senior councillor for Education, and set up Sheffield's Race Equality Commission.  

Abtisam is the first British-Yemeni MP; a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and has roles as Chair, Vice-chair and Officer of several All-Party Parliamentary Groups, including those for International Students, University and for Palestine.   

In April 2025 Abtisam was denied entry by Israel when travelling as part of a Parliamentary delegation to the West Bank. She advocates for the recognition of a Palestinian state and for the UK to place sanctions on Israeli Ministers.

We met on an extremely hot, sunny morning in the city centre, an area where the architecture of Sheffield’s industrial heritage blends with creative business start-ups, galleries, vintage shops and cafes. We discussed how formative the city was for both of us growing up, discovering we were actually born only weeks apart. Also ‘Made In Sheffield’, the city’s politics, creativity and sense of community have strongly impacted my own identity and worldview.  

Abtisam’s hand on hip pose references an iconic Sheffield painting, ‘Buffer Girls’ by William Rothenstein, which depicts the working class craftswomen who were essential to Sheffield’s world-famous cutlery industry, wearing red headscarves and determined expressions.

www.anneleenphotography.com / www.instagram.com/anneleenphoto

Photographed by Julie Bélanger

Tulip Siddiq, Labour MP for Hampstead and Highgate. I met Tulip in one of my favourite places in London—Hampstead Heath, the jewel of her constituency and her chosen location for the portrait. As we walked near Kenwood House, she smiled and confessed she sometimes still can’t quite believe she’s the MP for such a beautiful place.

I wanted to reflect her deep connection to the Heath—how it’s not just her backdrop, but a part of her. In the midday sun, we found shade by Kenwood House, where the lush parkland was reflected in the window behind her. That quiet blend—Tulip and nature—felt like the perfect composition.

As we spoke, she shared what drew her into politics: the NHS saving her father’s life, her fight to make local streets safer amid rising knife crime, and her heartbreak over the impact of Brexit on her diverse community. We also spoke about the personal cost of public service—how being an MP and a mother of two young children means navigating a system still not built for women. 

I left our time together reminded of the extraordinary commitment women MPs bring to their work—often at great personal sacrifice—and how much richer our democracy is for it.

www.juliebelanger.uk / www.instagram.com/belangerju

Photographed by Allie Crewe

Maya Ellis, Labour MP for Ribble Valley. I was immediately drawn to Maya’s calm dignity, warmth, and sharp sense of humour. Photographing her in her local church—just next door to the Roman Fort—felt like the perfect setting: rooted, timeless, and quietly powerful, much like her. I'm a big fan of her work and her vision for bringing about positive change.

Maya was elected as a Labour MP in 2024 and is part of a strong new wave of women in her party. She lives in a historic village in the Ribble Valley with her family and is deeply connected to her community—having attended Ribchester Primary School and Longridge High School. She went on to study French and English Literature at Lancaster University, later earning both an MBA from Lancaster and a Master’s in Journalism from the University of Central Lancashire.

www.allie-crewe.uk

Photographed by Nicola Tree

Louise Haigh has been the Labour MP for Sheffield Heeley since 2015. She made history as the youngest woman ever appointed to the Cabinet, serving as Transport Secretary from July to November 2025. I’ve photographed Louise several times before for Getty Images, always in a photojournalistic capacity while she was at work. So this shoot was a welcome change — a chance to collaborate in the studio and take a more creative approach. When she arrived, the first thing she said was, “I’m back, and I have a new campaign.” That campaign is ‘Stop Employers Covering Up Abuse’, which seeks to ban the misuse of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) that prevent employees from speaking out about harassment or discrimination in the workplace. You can find the petition here: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/stop-employers-covering-up-abuse-1

We spent about an hour shooting. I had prepared a couple of steel backdrops — one rusted, the other a dark gunmetal. We also experimented with a cherry-red backdrop and used colour gels on the lights for effect.

Louise is known for her striking hair, and before arriving she’d asked the hairdresser in Parliament for a 70s-inspired, big-hair look. Under a cyan gel, her hair turned a deep red that popped beautifully against the bright cherry background.

www.nicolatree.com

Photographed by Julie Belanger

Stella Creasy, Labour and Cooperative MP for Walthamstow. Meeting Stella Creasy in her constituency was both exciting and humbling. As the long-serving MP for Walthamstow, with 15 years in Parliament, she has been at the forefront of campaigns that deeply resonate with me—championing social justice, equality, and opportunity. He current fight to legalise abortion in England and Wales is just one important example. Stella is a tireless advocate who refuses to stay silent in the face of injustice, and her courage has inspired not only me, but countless others. 

Her unwavering commitment comes at a cost. For speaking out, she has endured threats to her safety—an all-too-common experience for women in politics, and one that weighs even more heavily on her now as a mother to young children. Stella spoke candidly about the emotional toll of this abuse, and the structural challenges that continue to push women out of political life.

Our conversation was a powerful reminder that while we should celebrate the milestone of 40% female representation in Parliament, we must also stay vigilant. The women leading the fight for a better country, like Stella, do so every day—often at great personal cost. 

I chose to photograph Stella on a street in her constituency, in front of a vibrant mural, to reflect both her connection to the community and her grounded, approachable presence. Her casual stance, sunglasses, and unpretentious style convey ease, but her calm confidence and no-nonsense energy are unmistakable.

www.juliebelanger.uk / www.instagram.com/belangerju

Photographed by Qian Li

Munira Wilson, Liberal Democrat for Twickenham. The portrait of Munira Wilson MP was taken at her office near York House, Twickenham, on a sunny Friday afternoon. As the Liberal Democrat MP for Twickenham, Munira is dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents in her constituency, including in the areas of health, the environment, the cost of living and transport.

As the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Children, Young People and Families, Munira is particularly passionate about supporting parents and providing children and young people with the best opportunities to thrive in life. Munira’s care for her community is evident not only in her political work but also in the small moments of everyday life. While we were crossing the road to reach the next photoshoot location, she paused to patiently help a woman with directions to York House—an unprompted gesture that quietly reflected her approachable and compassionate nature. Friendly and patient, Munira made the collaborative photoshoot an enjoyable experience.

As a resident of Twickenham, I was pleased to mark the milestone of 40% female representation in Parliament by photographing her.

www.michelleqianli.photography / @mclee917

Photographed by Jayne Odell FRPS

Kate Dearden has been the Labour MP for Halifax since 2024 and is also a Government Assistant Whip. She previously worked for the Community Trade Union. Kate was born in Bingley and is a very strong, proud Yorkshire woman from a hard working family and lives in the very heart of her constituency in Halifax. Driven by her roots and strong family values – hard work, keeping promises and standing up for what she believe in, Kate does everything she can to help others.

I spent a wonderful day taking photos and joining Kate on various events throughout a busy Friday in May 2025. This portrait was made high on a hill with the backdrop of the town she loves and serves, Halifax.

Outside of work Kate enjoys spending time with her family and weekend walks in the Yorkshire Dales to recharge the batteries.

jayneodell.com/

Photographed by Allie Crewe

Kirith Entwistle, Labour MP for Bolton North East was elected in 2024 and is a force for change in the North West. She had asked to create a portrait with me outside the Town Hall, I pointed out that she is no longer denied power and has 'access' to these spaces now. We spent a fun hour in the Mayor's Parlour and this grand backdrop lends her the status she deserves.

www.allie-crewe.uk

Photographed by Fran Monks

Layla Moran, Liberal Democrats MP for Oxford West and Abingdon. Layla suggested we make her portrait in the cafeteria of a leisure centre in her Oxfordshire constituency. This was the place where she first heard she had been elected in 2017. We met there on 1st May 2025, the day after the local elections. The count was happening in the gym and there was quite a buzz with supporters of all parties gathering to hear the latest results. Layla was dressed in a bright dress, with yellow shoes (a nod to the Lib Dem’s colours) and was warm and enthusiastic. I had practiced a few different locations with her case-worker before she arrived, and so we started on a dark bench seat which had glass blocks behind it. I held the camera high to try and avoid reflections from my light. Layla was very relaxed and fun in front of the camera. Without me asking she put her feet up on the seat, which was perfect.

A former teacher, Layla became interested in politics as a way to change education policy. Getting elected was a complete surprise. Sitting in this same cafe, awaiting the results in 2017, she thought she was heading back to school the next day but instead it was off to the Houses of Parliament. As for there being more female MPs now, Layla comments: “There has always been a sisterhood in the House of Commons, but we are just getting better at it.”

www.franmonks.com / @franmonks

Photographed by Louise Knaresborough

Sharon Hodgson, Labour MP for Washington and Gateshead South. I caught up with Sharon at one of the North East’s iconic locations, the Angel of the North. It had recently become part of her constituency following boundary changes, and we both thought that this would be an excellent back drop to the portrait. With the Angel being such a huge structure at 75 Meters, I had to think carefully about my composition and angles so that the angel did not dominate the portrait.

Sharon was warm, welcoming, very approachable and her passion and commitment to the area where she was born and bred was clearly evident. Sharon has been a busy and active a member of Parliament for the area continually since 2005 and in that time has taken on a variety of roles such as Assistant Government Whip and Chair of the Finance Committee. We talked about a lot of things not least that she is a supporter of equal representation in Parliament through the Women Count movement. The aim of this is to ensure equal representation is reached by 2028, and to show Support for this goal MPs can purchase a specially made brooch that indicates their number, Sharon’s number is 289, and currently at time of writing there have only been 693 women MPs. Sharon wore her brooch with pride for the photograph.

LVKstudios.com/@lvkstudiosphotography

Photographed by Sue Wright

Judith Cummins, Labour MP for Bradford South and Deputy Speaker. It was a real privilege to photograph Judith Cummins MP, Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, for the RPS Women in Photography 40% Project. Judith had asked to be photographed in the iconic Speaker’s Chair, wearing the traditional robes — and what a striking and symbolic image that made.

We met early one morning before the day’s business in Parliament began. I was given time to set up in the chamber, which felt incredibly special — standing there with my camera where so much history has happened. Judith arrived smiling and full of warmth, and putting me immediately at ease.

As we prepared for the shoot, we spoke about how amazing it is that 40% of MPs are now women, and how proud she is to be serving as a Deputy Speaker. Her pride in her role was clear, and her enthusiasm for the 40% Project was heartening. She also spoke with real passion about her work for Bradford South and how hard she continues to fight for her constituents — a reminder that behind the formality of Westminster, she remains deeply grounded in the people she represents.

I wanted the portrait to reflect both her dignity in office and her pride in being a woman in such a position of influence. Seated in the Speaker’s Chair in full robes, Judith looked calm, strong, and completely at home — a powerful image of representation and progress.

It’s a portrait I feel honoured to have taken — and one I hope speaks to just how far we’ve come.

@suewrightuppington

Photographed by Anneleen Lindsay

Apsana Begum, MP for Poplar and Limehouse, in front of the Hale St Mural by Mark Francis, which commemorates The Poplar Rates Rebellion. Apsana campaigns on many social justice issues, including cuts to disability benefits, the environment, racism & women’s rights. She is Chair of the APPG on Domestic Abuse & Violence. Her maiden speech in Parliament, on International Women’s Day, paid tribute to the ‘rich history of women’s struggles for social justice in East London’. She is a vocal campaigner in solidarity with Palestine, asking many questions in Parliament about the UK government’s involvement in arming Israel & speaking passionately at Palestine rallies. Apsana chose to be photographed in her constituency, where she also grew up. She cites the socialist history of the area as an inspiration. The Poplar Rates Rebellion was a historically significant tax protest in 1921. Local councillors, having undertaken a comprehensive programme of social reform, stood up for the rights of their constituents who were suffering from hunger, poverty & unemployment, by refusing to pay unfairly weighted additional rates to the Greater London Authorities. The revolt defied government, the courts & Labour Party leadership but received widespread public support. The councillors knew they would face jail, but stood firm. 30 were imprisoned, including 6 women. Talking to Apsana about both the history and present day community projects of Poplar was fascinating and inspiring and her commitment to her constituents was clear. I’d love to revisit the area and meet some of the other people also working for the common good.

www.anneleenphotography.com / www.instagram.com/anneleenphoto

Photographed by Julie Derbyshire

Sarah Olney, Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park. I met Sarah Olney in a local park on a sunny spring morning during a brief break between her constituency meetings. Sarah has served as Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park, south west London, since 2019 (and previously between 2016 and 2017). She has always been a resolute advocate for the precious green spaces of London’s urban sprawl so it seemed fitting to photograph her outside on the open grass.

I asked Sarah what issues she felt particularly passionate about and she honed in on the word ‘inclusion’, she is a strong proponent of offering opportunity and voice to all, whatever a person’s background, age, gender etc. She gave her enthusiastic support for the 40% project. When first entering parliament she was the sole female Liberal Democrat MP, now they outnumber male MPs within the party, so progress is being made.

Photographed by Anneleen Lindsay

Zarah Sultana, Independent MP for Coventry South is a bold voice in UK politics, who stated ‘I didn’t enter politics to toe the line. I’m here to fight for the working class’. She consistently campaigns on social justice issues, opposing cuts to welfare and disability benefits and against the two-child benefit cap (for which she lost the party whip, becoming an Independent MP). She was Chair of the Socialist Campaign Group of MPs for 5 years and is a strong advocate for the rights of workers and the marginalised, saying; “Instead of targeting the most vulnerable, the government should tax the rich.” 
Zarah is one of the most prominent UK Politicians to repeatedly call for the government to recognise a Palestinian State, to implement a full Arms Embargo of UK weapons being sold to Israel and to be transparent about why the International arrest warrants for Israeli war criminals visiting the UK were blocked. For years she has spoken out for Palestine; online, on TV and at rallies. Her decision to go into politics was partially inspired by a trip to the West Bank when she was 17; “I realised through the luck of my passport I could travel through checkpoints that left Palestinians humiliated.” Therefore in this portrait Zarah is wearing a traditional Hirbawi Palestinian keffiyeh to show her solidarity with Palestine. The olive leaf patterns symbolise strength, resilience and rootedness to the land; the bold lines represent trade routes going through Palestine and the fishnet pattern represents livelihood.

www.anneleenphotography.com / www.instagram.com/anneleenphoto

Photographed by Jayne Odell FRPS

Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath was born in Hanover, Germany and now lives in Bath with her husband William. She has four children. Wera has been the Member of Parliament for Bath since the 2017 general election, representing the constituency for the Liberal Democrats. During this time Wera’s achievements as Bath's MP include helping more than 15,000 constituents with casework, making up-skirting a criminal offence in England, Climate action policy locally and nationally to get Britain equitably to net-zero carbon by 2045, fighting for school funding, a successful campaign to re-establish a public facing police station, fighting for better mental health services and strengthening protections for domestic abuse survivors. I photographed Wera at her constituency office in Bath. My intention with this piece was to portray this very strong, hard working and driven female MP with a sense of elegance and authority. Dynamically composed with Wera sitting mid-frame in the photograph and surrounded by traditional Bath stonework and beneath the Clematis she loves, gave my portrait a sense of serenity and place, the juxtaposition of what is an extremely busy political life.

jayneodell.com

Photographed by Jennifer Charlton

Christine Jardine, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West. Christine has been a member of Parliament since 2017 and represents the Scottish Liberal Democrats. She is currently the spokesperson for Women and Equalities.

We took the portrait in St Margarets Park near her office and nearby stands a plaque erected to remember the local Corstorphine "witches" which I thought was a timely reminder of how far we have come, but still have such a lot of progress to make with women's equality.

www.jennifercharltonphotography.com / @jennifercharltonphotography

Photographed by Dee Robinson

Anneliese Dodds, Labour MP for Oxford East. The whole project was a collaborative process, Anneliese had some ideas I visited Oxford and got some ideas of my own, we then had a great time trying them out.

It was very obvious that she is very much part of her constituency and very well liked. I really enjoyed my time with her. 

@deerobinsonphotographer

Photographed by Marge Bradshaw

Jo Platt, Labour MP for Leigh and Atherton. Jo Platt is the current Member of Parliament for Leigh and Atherton, having made her return to Parliament in 2024.

She originally became Leigh’s first female MP in 2017, serving until 2019 when she lost her seat to Conservative candidate James Grundy.

After her initial tenure in Parliament, Jo dedicated her efforts to the Leigh Building Preservation Trust, working at the historic Leigh Spinners Mill, a Grade II* listed building in the centre of Leigh. This role allowed Jo to combine her passions for heritage and regeneration. As General Manager, she oversaw the renovation of the mill, transforming it into a vibrant hub for heritage, small businesses, social enterprises, and the arts.

In 2024, Jo made a triumphant return to Parliament, reclaiming the newly formed Leigh and Atherton seat from the Conservative Party. Jo is an active member of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee and the Public Bill Committee. She is currently focused on scrutinising the Crime and Policing Bill, a significant piece of legislation addressing issues such as knife crime, violence against women and girls, anti-social behaviour, retail crime, serious and organised crime, fraud, theft, public order, terrorism, and sexual offences.

Additionally, Jo is an officer of several All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs), including those on Women’s Health, ME, Greater Manchester and Long Covid. Jo is deeply committed to revitalising towns like Leigh and Atherton, working tirelessly to improve town centre safety, to clean up local highstreets, and to bring vacant properties back into use. (Photo taken at Pennington Flash, the jewel in the crown of the Leigh and Atherton constituency)

margebradshawphotography.co.uk / @margebradshawphoto

Photographed by Livvi Grant

Jess Brown-Fuller, Liberal Democrat MP for Chichester. I met Jess in Bosham on a blustery spring afternoon, just as the Easter holidays were beginning. Families were out enjoying the fresh sea air and the sweeping views across the water – a familiar scene in this part of West Sussex. Jess knows it well. As a child, she came here for Bonfire Night fireworks, and the place still clearly holds meaning for her. Jess has lived in the Chichester area since the 1990s

She studied at the University of Chichester and was elected as the Liberal Democrat MP in July 2024. We talked as the wind blew our hair across our faces – about her roots here, and her strong commitment to protecting the local environment. Chichester Harbour, a designated National Landscape and SSSI, is a place she speaks up for in Parliament.

She’s called for tougher action on sewage pollution and more joined-up planning to protect these landscapes for future generations. It felt fitting to photograph her here – not in Westminster, but in a place that reflects who she is: grounded in her community, and focused on making a difference close to home.

livvigrant.co.uk / @livvicegrant

Photographed by Tamsyn Warde

Caroline Nokes, Conservative MP for Romsey and Southampton North. Caroline and I talked beforehand about the location. We felt it was important that it was somewhere close to her heart. We chose the New Forest, as it stretches from her back garden.

As we walked to the spot she had chosen, deer lept over the fences and cattle grazed next to her back wall. It felt a million miles from the The Houses of Parliament. It was clear that this was the place Caroline felt most at home.

tamsynwarde.com / @tamsyn_warde

Photographed by Sue Macpherson

Rachel Gilmour, Liberal Democrat MP for Tiverton and Minehead. Rachel Gilmour is the Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for the newly formed constituency of Tiverton and Minehead. She won her seat in the 2024 general election

I met Rachel at her home in Bampton and she greeted me in her wonderfully elegant and colourful outfit saying that she didn’t want to come across as too formal.

Rachel has deep roots in the Somerset and Devon region, having spent much of her life there and her background includes experience of the National Farmers’ Union and head of strategy at the Environment Agency, which gives her relevant knowledge for the rural constituency she represents.

Rachel was generous with her time and we had about an hour together. We were both amused to find out that we had been to the same Junior School, although not in the same years. I took photographs inside and out and preferred the natural lighting and more relaxed images produced outside.

suemacpherson.co.uk / @macpherson1905

Photographed by Allyson Klein

Claire Hanna, SDLP MP for Belfast South and Mid Downs. I met Claire Hanna in Belfast at Ormeau Park on the first sunny day we'd seen in a while. Though it was still quite chilly, the sun and the fresh air made our visit extra special. It was so lovely to see her ride up to meet me, something I hadn't expected. Since she lives and works nearby Claire said it made more sense to travel locally that way.

Claire is a member of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) and was the first person to speak Irish during the Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons on 17 March 2025. She said, "Lá Fhéile Pádraig agus Seachtain na Gaeilge" which translates to "Happy St. Patrick's Day everybody and Happy Irish Language Week as well."

In addition to making history, Claire invited Keir Starmer to come to Belfast for the Fleadh Cheoil, the largest gathering of Irish traditional musicians in the world. 

storiesandlightphotography.com / @storiesandlightphotography

Photographed by Scarlet Page

Olivia Bailey, Labour MP for Reading West. I met Olivia Bailey on a Friday morning ahead of her constituency surgery. We wandered around the block on a sunny spring day, stopping now and then to talk and take photographs. It was a relaxed and open conversation, and I learned that we had been almost neighbours in London, pre-children.

scarletpage.com / @scarletpage

Photographed by Eleanor Church

Pam Cox, Labour MP for Colchester. Pam Cox was elected at the last election and is Colchester’s first woman MP and the city’s first Labour MP since the WWII.

We met at Hilly Fields to catch the evening light. Overlooking Colchester, ‘Britain’s first city’, it’s a haven for nature and walkers and has been the site of important historical events for thousands of years.

As a historian, a sociologist, a criminologist and now a politician, it felt like a good spot to take her portrait. Never has it felt more important to have people elected that have integrity, are listeners and doers, thoughtful, intelligent, hardworking and kind - Pam is all of these.

larkrisepictures.com / @larkrisepictures

Photographed by Michaela Simpson

Chi Onwurah, Labour MP for Newcastle Central & West. Chi Onwurah has served as an MP for Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West (previously Newcastle Upon Tyne Central) from 2010 to 2024. With an Imperial College London degree in electrical engineering and a Manchester Business School MBA she sits as the Chair of the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee. In 2018 Chi was added to the Computer Weekly “Most influential Women in UK IT” and in 2020 was made an Honorary Fellow of the British Science Association.

I was delighted that Chi was able to take time out of her busy schedule to have her portrait taken. We agreed to meet at her constituency office beforehand but on the day of our February shoot the light levels indoors were pretty dark and Chi was happy to head outside so that we could find some better light. I was shooting film on my Olympus OM1 and 85mm f2 lens with Tri-X. Chi is a keen photographer and owns an OM1 - we had a lively discussion on this beautiful equipment. 

It was bitterly cold with a northerly wind whipping through the lanes of central Newcastle. We worked quickly and tried two or three locations nearby, finding shelter where we could.  This image was the last of the roll I shot that day and the one I feel captures her warmth, strength and quiet intelligence.

simpson-studios.com / @simpsonstudios35mm