Richard Burgon
Labour · Leeds East
FULL PROFILERichard Burgon is the Labour MP for Leeds East, first elected in 2015. He is 45 years old. As a long-serving backbencher without ministerial appointment, they have more freedom to vote independently. They have changed party during this parliament.
Ideology
Voting Behaviour
Key Interests
Social security and welfare reform · International humanitarian law and Palestine · Workers' rights and employment law · Online safety and digital regulation · Criminal justice and legal aid
Positions
Social Security — Opposes Universal Credit reforms and supports increased statutory sick pay
strong
Taxation — Advocates for wealth taxes and windfall taxes on energy companies
strong
Palestine/Israel — Leads cross-party push for UK sanctions on Israel over humanitarian law violations
strong
Immigration — Opposes stricter immigration and asylum systems
moderate
Online Safety — Supports stronger regulation of harmful online content
moderate
Legal Aid — Advocates for improved criminal legal aid remuneration
moderate
EU Integration — Supports continued European integration despite constituency Brexit vote
moderate
Reproductive Rights — Supports easier access to abortion services
weak
Notable Rebellions
2025-07-09 — Voted against the bill and for multiple amendments to protect welfare recipients, consistent with his opposition to benefit reforms
2022-01-10 — Opposed nuclear energy financing on environmental and economic grounds
2021-03-25 — Opposed extension of emergency coronavirus powers, likely on civil liberties grounds
Reasoning Style
Principled and ideological, often prioritizing moral convictions over party loyalty or constituency preferences, as evidenced by his pro-EU stance despite representing a Leave-voting area and his willingness to rebel frequently against party positions
Background
Richard Burgon worked as a solicitor before entering Parliament, specializing in employment and trade union law which shaped his advocacy for workers' rights and social justice.