Paula Barker
Labour · Liverpool Wavertree
FULL PROFILEPaula Barker is the Labour MP for Liverpool Wavertree, first elected in 2019. As a government backbencher seeking advancement, they are likely to vote loyally.
Ideology
Voting Behaviour
Key Interests
Homelessness and housing · Workers' rights and trade unions · Social security and welfare · Immigration and asylum · Public health and social care
Positions
Social Security — Strongly opposes Universal Credit reforms and cuts to welfare benefits
strong
Trade Union Rights — Advocates for strengthening trade union protections and opposing punitive measures
strong
Homelessness — Calls for comprehensive cross-departmental strategy and increased government intervention
strong
Immigration — Opposes stricter immigration controls and supports more humane asylum system
moderate
European Integration — Supports continued EU integration and cooperation
moderate
Reproductive Rights — Supports easier access to abortion services
moderate
Government Transparency — Advocates for greater openness and parliamentary oversight
moderate
Public Health — Supported strong COVID-19 measures and public health interventions
moderate
Notable Rebellions
2025-07-01 — Rebelled against Labour government's welfare reforms, voting against the bill and for a reasoned amendment, demonstrating commitment to protecting social security benefits
2021-12-14 — Voted against COVID-19 health regulations, possibly due to concerns about implementation or impact on care sector
Reasoning Style
Constituency-focused and evidence-based, frequently citing specific local impacts and statistics in parliamentary questions. Combines ideological commitment to social justice with pragmatic advocacy for concrete policy solutions, particularly around homelessness and workers' rights.
Background
Paula Barker entered Parliament in 2019 with a background in trade union activism and community organizing. Her pre-parliamentary career appears to have been focused on workers' rights and social justice advocacy.