Catherine McKinnell
Labour · Newcastle upon Tyne North
FULL PROFILECatherine McKinnell is the Labour MP for Newcastle upon Tyne North, first elected in 2010. She is 49 years old. As a long-serving backbencher without ministerial appointment, they have more freedom to vote independently.
Ideology
Voting Behaviour
Key Interests
Education and children's services · Healthcare and social care · European Union relations · Transport and accessibility · Online safety and digital policy
Positions
European Union — Pro-integration and customs union membership
strong
Immigration and asylum — Opposes stricter controls
strong
Education — Advocates for inclusive education and SEND support
strong
Taxation — Supports progressive taxation including bankers' bonus tax
moderate
Children's services — Strong advocate for children's hospices and bereavement support
moderate
Transport accessibility — Supports better school transport for SEND children
moderate
Online safety — Advocates for stronger protections for children online
moderate
COVID-19 response — Supported government restrictions and track and trace
weak
Reasoning Style
Pragmatic and evidence-based, often citing specific reports and data in speeches. Focuses on practical solutions for constituency issues while maintaining principled positions on European integration despite local Brexit sentiment.
Background
Catherine McKinnell is a solicitor by profession who practiced law before entering Parliament, bringing legal expertise to her parliamentary work.