About Me

Coventry made me.

I was born in Walsgrave hospital, after my parents settled here from Ireland.

I grew up and went to school in the city under the Tories and Margaret Thatcher.

Despite those hard times for our city, my teachers helped me win a place at Oxford.

This led me to a job in Brussels, followed by teaching at Cranfield University.

People in Coventry opened the door to opportunity for me which led to a life of public service.

That’s why I’m determined to work hard for the people of my home city.

I want everyone to get the chances that they deserve to thrive.

I was elected as Member of Parliament for Coventry East in July 2024.

I’m honoured to serve in the Labour government as Minister for Nature, and to lead Labour’s work on forests and on the circular economy.

Mary wearing a red coat smiling and talking with a paramedic wearing his green uniform and with "Ambulance" on his back in a bright, modern hospital building.
Mary standing in front of West Midlands Police station, wearing a blue suit with her arms folded.
Three people in a subway station engaging with wall art; one is in a wheelchair with colorful butterfly designs on the wheels.
Mary sitting on a chair looking through a photo album, wearing a floral blouse and dark blazer, near a window.
Mary, wearing an orange high-visibility vest chatting to a group of people wearing high-visibility vests and hard hats at a construction site.
Smiling person with short hair wearing a red coat, standing on a city street with cars in the background.