Mick Whitley
British politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Michael Whitley (born 17 November 1951) is a British Labour Party politician and trade unionist who served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Birkenhead from 2019 to 2024.
17 November 1951
Mick Whitley | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2019 | |
| Member of Parliament for Birkenhead | |
| In office 12 December 2019 – 30 May 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Frank Field |
| Succeeded by | Alison McGovern |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Michael Whitley 17 November 1951 Birkenhead, Cheshire, England |
| Party | Labour |
| Other political affiliations | Socialist Campaign Group |
| Website | Archived campaign website |
Early life and career
Michael Whitley was born on 17 November 1951 in St Catherine's Hospital, Birkenhead.[1][2] He grew up in Woodchurch,[3][4] and his father and brothers worked in the ship building industry.[5]
After serving in the Merchant Navy, Whitley worked for Vauxhall Motors and became a trade union organiser. He was later a regional secretary for the trade union Unite.[6]
Parliamentary career
Whitley was elected as the Labour MP for Birkenhead at the 2019 general election with 59% of the vote and a majority of 17,705.[7][8]
In July 2021, during the 2021 Israel-Palestine Crisis, Whitley signed a letter along with 19 other MPs calling for sanctions on Israel "for its repeated violations of international law".[9]
On 14 December 2021, Whitley resigned from his role as parliamentary private secretary to Ed Miliband in order to defy the whip by voting against mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for NHS staff.[10] He also voted in line with the party whip by voting in favour of COVID-19 vaccine passports and an expansion of mask mandates.[11][12]
On 24 February 2022, following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Whitley was one of 11 Labour MPs threatened with losing the party whip after they signed a statement by the Stop the War Coalition which questioned the legitimacy of NATO and accused the military alliance of "eastward expansion". All 11 MPs subsequently removed their signatures.[13]
The 2023 review of Westminster constituencies meant he was challenged by Wirral South MP Alison McGovern for the Labour selection for Birkenhead for the 2024 general election.[14] He was deselected on 16 June 2023.[15]
