Ian Byrne | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2019 | |
| Member of Parliament forLiverpool West Derby | |
| Assumed office 12 December 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Stephen Twigg |
| Majority | 20,423 (53.8%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Ian Robert Byrne (1972-05-10)10 May 1972 (age 52) Liverpool, England |
| Political party | Labour |
| Other political affiliations | Independent (2024–2025) Socialist Campaign Group |
| Alma mater | Open University |
| Website | Official website |
Ian Robert Byrne[1] (born 10 May 1972)[2] is a BritishLabour politician who has been theMember of Parliament (MP) forLiverpool West Derby since2019.[3]
Ian Byrne was born on 10 May 1972 inLiverpool. He grew up on theStockbridge Village (formerly Cantril Farm) estate in the city. At the age of 16 he was present at theHillsborough disaster and escaped before the crush occurred. His father was seriously injured.[4]
He worked as a taxi driver while studying atThe Open University, gaining a degree over six years.[5] He was an active member ofUnite the Union, where he later was employed as a trade union organiser. His work included organising sub-contracted NHS workers for better pay and conditions.[6]
In 2015, Byrne co-foundedFans Supporting Foodbanks, a community initiative byfootball fans to tackle food poverty inLiverpool.[7][8] Before becoming an MP, he worked withDan Carden in the neighbouring constituency ofLiverpool Walton.
In 2018, Byrne was elected as a councillor toLiverpool City Council, representing theEverton ward alongside Labour's Cllr Jane Corbett and Cllr Frank Prendergast MBE.[9] He continued to serve as a local councillor after becoming an MP, donating his councillor's allowance to VauxhallLaw Centre.[10] In 2022, Byrne stood down from his council seat and was succeeded by his daughter, Ellie.[11]
On 3 November 2019, Byrne was selected as the Labour candidate forLiverpool West Derby. Byrne won the "chaotic" selection process by three votes against local councillor Angela Coleman.[12] Byrne apologised when it was reported he had posted historical comments abusing Conservative politicians, a joke involving theParalympics and a homophobic slur on his Facebook account; the account was then deleted.[13]Liz Truss called on Byrne to stand down as a candidate following the controversy.[14] Labour shadow ChancellorJohn McDonnell publicly supported Byrne's nomination.[15]
At the2019 general election, Byrne was elected to Parliament as MP forLiverpool West Derby with 77.6% of the vote and a majority of 29,984.[3][16]
Byrne was a supporter of the leadership ofJeremy Corbyn. He is a member of theSocialist Campaign Group and backed his Campaign Group colleaguesRebecca Long-Bailey andRichard Burgon in the2020 Labour leadership election anddeputy leadership election.[17]
In December 2020, Byrne launched a campaign for theRight to Food to be written into UK law.[18] Byrne was named as "Overall MP of the Year" for 2021 by the Patchwork Foundation, in recognition for his campaigning against food insecurity and workers' rights during theCOVID-19 pandemic.[19][20]
During 2022, Byrne was criticised by some Labour members for allegedly putting campaigns onfood poverty and the legacy of theHillsborough disaster ahead of constituency issues.[21] West Derby Constituency Labour Party branches and affiliates voted to trigger a reselection process for the seat in October 2022.[22][23][24][25] Byrne raised concerns about the reselection process, and threatened to take legal action after alleging multiple rule breaches.[26][27] He said he would consider getting police guidance over alleged intimidation at a campaign event. Supporters of his rival said there was no intimidation and one called on Byrne to retract his allegation.[21]
At the2024 general election, Byrne was re-elected to Parliament as MP for Liverpool West Derby with a decreased vote share of 66.6% and a decreased majority of 20,423.[28]
On 23 July 2024, Byrne, along with six other Labour MPs, had thewhip withdrawn and was suspended from the Labour Party for six months for voting for aSNP amendment to end thetwo child benefit cap.[29][30] The whip was restored on 5 February 2025.[31]
Byrne is a supporter ofLiverpool F.C. and a committee member of Liverpool supporters' unionSpirit of Shankly.[32]
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of Parliament forLiverpool West Derby 2019–present | Incumbent |
