Rachael Maskell was elected as the Member of Parliament for York Central in 2015.

Full statement

Rachael graduated from the University of East Anglia with a degree in physiotherapy in 1994. On starting work, she rapidly became a trade union rep in the hospital, going on to becoming a Regional and then National Official for Unite, where she led many campaigns and was a strong voice in speaking out for those she represented.

On the national stage, Rachael led the union’s equality agenda, campaigning against discrimination and for equal pay. She then spent seven years representing the charity sector on improving voluntary organisations and the opportunities for those that work in the sector.

When the last Labour Government were elected, Rachael moved back into health to represent over 100,000 health workers and has been leading the campaign ever since to protect our NHS. Over the years she has stood up for working people to ensure that they get treated fairly at work.

In Parliament, Rachael worked hard for her constituents in York, campaigning for a progressive Living Wage, skilled jobs, a sustainable city, affordable housing and to integrate health and social care.

In September 2015, Rachael was appointed as a Shadow Defence Minister for Armed Forces Personnel and Veterans and served in this position for nine months before being appointed to the Shadow Cabinet as the Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in 2016.