Lauren Sullivan is the Labour MP for Gravesham, having first been elected to parliament at the 2024 general election.

In the 2024 general election, Sullivan won 16,623 votes, representing 38.5% of the vote. The Conservative candidate, Adam Holloway, received 13,911 votes (32.2%), while the Reform UK candidate, Matthew Fraser Moat, secured 8,910 votes (20.6%). Sullivan was elected with a majority of 2,712.  

The Gravesham constituency is located in Kent, in the South East of England. Historically, the constituency has acted as a bellwether seat. It was held by the Conservative from its creation in 1983 to 1997, by Labour from 1997 to 2005, and by the Conservatives (Adam Holloway) from 2005 to 2024.

Political Career

Sullivan currently serves as a parliamentary private secretary (PPS) to Kanishka Narayan, minister of state (Cabinet Office jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade). A PPS acts as an unpaid parliamentary assistant, providing a link between the senior frontbencher and backbench MPs. The role is widely regarded as the first step on the ministerial ladder. Although they cannot speak for the government in debates, a PPS is bound by collective responsibility and becomes part of the so-called “payroll vote”, expected to support the official line in all divisions. Sullivan was appointed to this role in July 2026, following the Labour leadership contest and Andy Burnham’s elevation as prime minister.

Sullivan served as a PPS in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology from May to July 2026. Her appointment to this role was part of a targeted reshuffle designed to stabilise Keir Starmer’s position as prime minister after a series of resignations. At least four PPSs stepped down calling for Starmer to resign or set out a timetable for his departure. The move followed the 2026 local elections and devolved elections to the Scottish Parliament and Senedd Cymru. Conversely, Sullivan’s appointment signalled their support for the prime minister.

As such, Sullivan was among the over 100 Labour MPs who signed the May 2026 joint statement insisting it was “no time for a leadership contest.”

The statement read: “Last week we had a devastatingly tough set of election results. It shows we have a hard job ahead to win back trust from the electorate.

“That job needs to start today – with all of us working together to deliver the change the country needs.

“We must focus on that. This is no time for a leadership contest.”

Sullivan serves as chair of the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology Board (since February 2025).

Sullivan has served as a member of the House of Commons science, innovation and technology select committee (2024-2026).

Sullivan is listed as a member of the all-party parliamentary groups (APPGs) for global health and security, malaria and neglected tropical diseases (chair), the Thames Estuary for economic growth and youth affairs.

Sullivan delivered her maiden speech on 24 July 2024 during a debate on education and opportunity.

In it, she said: “There is so much to admire about Gravesham, but there is also much to admire about Labour’s plan for education and opportunity, so I will turn back to the subject of the debate…

“I know full well that lessons should instil the excitement and inspiration needed for young people to choose to pursue a scientific career – one that our nation’s growth depends on – so I welcome the proposed modernisation of the curriculum, and especially the curriculum for life.”

She added: “Although my children attend a great state school, the stress and pressure of the system, and the constant testing even at primary school, is leaving less time for play, creativity and socialisation…

“At times, our education system seems focused on evidencing for Ofsted’s needs rather than on the education and wellbeing of children – especially those with special educational needs…

“Academic achievement is important, but we must ensure that our young people are included in an education system that leaves them well-rounded and ready for life with practical skills.”

Before entering parliament, Sullivan was elected as a councillor on Gravesham Borough Council in May 2015. Sullivan also served as leader of the Labour group and leader of the opposition on Kent County Council, having been elected to the body in 2021. She stood down as a councillor in 2025.

Political Views

Leadership elections

Labour deputy leadership 2025: Sullivan was one of 175 Labour MPs who nominated Bridget Phillipson for the party’s deputy leadership in September 2025. The election followed the resignation of Angela Rayner, who stepped down as deputy prime minister and deputy party leader after an investigation into her tax affairs. It marked the first time since 2007 that Labour had held a deputy leadership contest while in government.

Phillipson, the serving education secretary, was widely viewed as the candidate favoured by Downing Street and the party leadership. She secured 175 nominations from the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP), comfortably exceeding the 80 required to reach the final ballot. She was ultimately defeated by Lucy Powell.

Welfare

Welfare vote (July 2025): Sullivan voted in favour of the government’s flagship welfare bill at second reading. The vote came after ministers agreed to significant concessions to avoid defeat via a mass rebellion of Labour MPs on 1 July 2025.

Assisted dying

Sullivan voted against the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, better known as the assisted dying bill, at both second reading (November 2024) and third reading (June 2025).

Social values and conscience issues

Abortion decriminalisation (2025): Sullivan voted in favour of a backbench amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill that sought to decriminalise abortion in England and Wales in June 2025. The amendment, which was passed by a majority of 242 votes, removed women from the threat of prosecution for ending a pregnancy at any stage. As an issue of conscience, MPs were allowed to vote according to their personal beliefs.

Before Politics

Sullivan worked as a scientist before entering parliament. She holds a PhD in development of a diagnostic test for human African Tyrypanosmiasis from the University of Dundee.

Her research background is in tropical disease. She worked as a visiting scientist/post-doctoral fellow at The Francis Crick Institute.

Personal Life

Sullivan is married and has two children.  

Trivia

Sullivan is also a qualified chemistry teacher.