Paul Waugh

For Paul Waugh the founder of the Lighthouse cult, see Lighthouse (British organisation).

Paul Waugh
MP
Official portrait, 2024
Member of Parliament
for Rochdale
Incumbent
Assumed office
4 July 2024
Preceded byGeorge Galloway
Majority1,440 (3.5%)
Personal details
Born1966 or 1967 (age 57–58)[1]
Wardle, Lancashire, England
Political partyLabour Co-op
Alma materUniversity of Oxford
University of Cardiff
Occupation
  • Politician
  • journalist

Paul Waugh is a British politician and journalist who has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Rochdale since 2024. Running under the Labour Co-op banner, he unseated George Galloway, the Workers Party of Britain's sole MP.

Early life and education

Waugh was born in Wardle, Lancashire and raised on a council estate in Spotland, Rochdale.[2] Educated at Oulder Hill Community School, he later studied philosophy and physiology at the University of Oxford and journalism at the University of Cardiff.[3]

Journalism career

Waugh has been political editor of HuffPost UK, editor of PoliticsHome and deputy political editor of The Independent, as well as the London Evening Standard. He also worked for the i newspaper and presented the Week in Westminster for the BBC.[4][5][6]

Political career

Waugh had put himself forward to be the Labour candidate for the 2024 Rochdale by-election but lost the nomination to Azhar Ali, who in turn was suspended from the party.[7][8] Waugh's wife works for the National Health Service, and he has said potential improvement of the health system was one of the major motivating factors in running for Parliament.[9] In the 2024 general election, he was elected as the Labour and Co-operative Member of Parliament for Rochdale.[10][9] Waugh was critical of its previous MP George Galloway, labelling him as "Putin's parrot" and an extremist.[9]

Following his election to Parliament, Waugh was elected to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee.

References

  1. ^ Craig, Jon (27 January 2024). "Falling by the Waugh-side – former journalist fails to clinch chance to be MP". Sky News. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  2. ^ "Rochdale Development Agency". Rochdale Development Agency. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
  3. ^ "Real Rochdale Summer 2021: Paul Waugh: From Rochdale to Westminster". www.realrochdale.co.uk. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
  4. ^ "Journalist Paul Waugh to stand as Labour candidate in Rochdale". www.rochdaleonline.co.uk. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  5. ^ O'Neill, Laura (29 May 2024). "Rochdale: Political journalist Paul Waugh vies to become Labour MP". BBC News. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  6. ^ "Paul Waugh to fight Rochdale seat for Labour". The Spectator. 30 May 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  7. ^ Ahmed, Jabed (5 July 2024). "George Galloway loses Rochdale seat to Labour four months after by-election win". Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  8. ^ Robson, Steve (27 January 2024). "Paul Waugh loses out in bid to stand as new Labour MP for Rochdale". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  9. ^ a b c Davenport, Hannah (30 May 2024). "Who is Paul Waugh, the Labour candidate chosen to take on George Galloway in Rochdale?". Left Foot Forward. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  10. ^ "Rochdale – General election results 2024". BBC News. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
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Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Rochdale
2024–present 		Incumbent