Sarah Champion

MP for Rotherham

Labour

Sarah Champion is the Labour Party MP for Rotherham, having first been elected to parliament at a by-election on 29 November 2012.

In the 2024 general election, Champion received 16,671 votes in Rotherham, representing 45.1% of the vote share. The Reform UK candidate, Adam Wood, received 11,181 votes (30.3%), while the Liberal Democrat candidate, Adam Carter, secured 2,824 votes (7.6%). Champion was duly elected with a majority of 5,490.

The Rotherham constituency is located in South Yorkshire. It is historically a safe Labour seat, held by the party continuously since the 1930s.

Political Career

Champion currently serves as chair of the international development committee (since January 2020) – the committee responsible for scrutinising the work of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in respect of aid policy.

By virtue of this role, Champion sits on the liaison committee – the so-called “super committee” composed of the cross-party chairs of all the other commons select committees. It has a broad oversight role, but is best known for its questioning of the prime minister in sessions that take place two or three times a year.

Previously, Champion served on the Labour frontbench as shadow secretary of state for women and equalities from October 2016 to August 2017, and shadow minister for preventing abuse (September 2015 – June 2016 and July 2016 – October 2016).

In June 2016, Champion was among the 21 shadow cabinet ministers and 18 shadow ministers (not cabinet-attending) to resign in protest at Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership and his approach to the Brexit referendum. However, she later retracted her resignation.

In a letter to Corbyn, dated 25 July 2016, she stated: “I would like to formally retract my resignation and ask to be reinstated to my role as shadow home office minister for preventing abuse and domestic violence with immediate effect.”

In October 2016, Champion was appointed shadow secretary of state for women and equalities. Champion resigned from the Labour frontbench again in August 2017, after writing an article for the Sun newspaper concerning child exploitation, which included comments about “Pakistani men” that drew criticism. It was later reported that Champion was “effectively sacked” by Corbyn.

At the time, Corbyn commented: “I have accepted Sarah Champion’s resignation and thank her for her work in the Shadow Cabinet. I look forward to working together in the future.”

In the Sun article, Champion wrote: “Britain has a problem with British Pakistani men raping and exploiting white girls. There. I said it. Does that make me a racist? Or am I just prepared to call out this horrifying problem for what it is?”

The piece was written after 17 men were convicted of forcing girls in Newcastle to have sex, and followed a BBC Radio 4 interview in which Champion maintained that “we need to be upfront that the majority of the perpetrators have been British-Pakistani”. She also expressed concerns that a fear of being called racist was hampering the authorities’ investigations.

Corbyn publicly condemned Champion’s comments, saying his party would not “blame any particular group or demonise any particular group [and] the issue is one of safety of individuals”. Labour MP Naz Shah described Champion’s position as “irresponsible” and “setting a dangerous precedent”.

In a statement confirming her resignation, Champion apologised for her “extremely poor choice of words”.

Sajid Javid, the then-communities secretary, expressed support for Champion, commenting: “Corbyn [was] wrong to sack Sarah Champion. We need an honest open debate on child sexual exploitation, including racial motivation.”

https://x.com/sajidjavid/status/898076278573727746

Champion was one of six Labour MPs (alongside Jon Cruddas, Grahame Morris, Toby Perkins, Emma Lewell and Rosie Cooper) to support Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal in December 2019, defying the party whip. In a statement issued in September 2019, Champion said she had come to “accept, respect and I’m doing all I can to honour the result of the referendum and leave the European Union”.

She added: “I think it is worth one last attempt to secure a deal that protects the UK, if that is not possible by the 31st January, I will vote to leave the EU regardless. The wishes of the majority in Rotherham are clear and I will do everything that I can to deliver upon them.”

In January 2025, Champion called for a national inquiry into grooming gangs, alongside two other Labour MPs (Paul Waugh and Dan Carden). She argued an inquiry would help tackle public distrust over the handling of the gangs.

“Having worked widely with victims and survivors, and frontline professionals, I have long believed that we need to fully understand the nature of this crime and the failures in the response of public bodies if we are to truly protect children”, Champion said.

“It is clear that nothing less than a national inquiry into the failings of those in authority to both prevent, and be accountable for their failings, in relation to grooming gangs will restore the faith in our safeguarding systems.”

Speaking after the publication of the (Louise) Casey report in June 2025, which prompted the government to announce a national inquiry, Champion said the findings represent “an opportunity, however belatedly, to face the truth.”

She added: “We can’t change the failings of the past, but my goodness we must finally learn from them.”

https://x.com/SarahChampionMP/status/1934268703190696090

In April 2024, Champion successfully campaigned for the inclusion of provisions in the Great British Energy Bill to exclude projects that use solar panels linked to Chinese slave labour.

In December 2014, Champion proposed a 10-minute rule bill, calling for the mandatory publishing of figures of the pay gap between men and women in any company of over 250 employees.

Introducing the bill to the House, Champion said: “It is not just women who are poorer because of the pay gap; it is their families too. Equal pay is an issue for all of us. No father, husband or son wants the woman they care about to work in a world where they are valued less for being a woman.”

She added: “The workplace is changing and there are many examples of businesses that are committed to breaking down these barriers and of women who have made it to the top of their professions.

“However, today, in this very [Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition] government, there are 18 men in the cabinet and only five women. In the chamber, 23% of MPs are women and the majority of those are Labour. The Liberal Democrats have not even appointed a woman to the cabinet in their four and a half years in government.”

258 MPs voted in favour of the bill, with only 8 against. In July 2015, the prime minister, David Cameron, announced the government would bring forward rules to make firms with more than 250 workers reveal whether they pay men more than women, adopting the measures put forward by Champion.

Champion has served on the commons women and equalities committee (2018-2019), public administration and constitutional affairs committee (PACAC) (2018), the environment, food and rural affairs select committee (2015), and the transport committee (2012-2015).

Champion is listed as a member of the all-party parliamentary groups (APPGs) for global sexual and reproductive health rights, Taiwan and Cayman Islands.

She delivered her maiden speech on 11 December 2012 during a debate on the economy. In it, she stated: “Rotherham voters are also worried about the impact and change that new immigrants might bring to their community.

“I know they are neither racist nor bigoted in raising those genuine concerns, but when opportunities are few and times are tough we must understand that people get more protective of what they have…

“We need a different approach; we need a grown-up debate to address people’s concerns and put sensible policies in place while recognising the richness that immigrant communities bring to the UK.”

She added: “As a new MP I will continue to work for the day when we see the creation of a viable Palestinian state that can live in peace alongside Israel. Sadly, during the by-election a number of candidates tried to bring race and immigration into the debate in a divisive manner.

“I am proud that the people of Rotherham politely sent them packing with a clear message: ‘We are one Rotherham.’”

Political Views

Leadership elections and loyalty

Labour leadership 2015: Champion was one of 10 Labour MPs who nominated Mary Creagh for the party’s leadership in June 2015. The election followed the resignation of Ed Miliband after the party’s defeat in the 2015 general election and was the first to be held under a “one member, one vote” system.

Creagh, the shadow international development secretary, withdrew from the contest on 12 June after securing only 10 nominations from the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) – far short of the 35 required to reach the final ballot.

Champion then became one of a group of MPs who lent their nominations to ensure Corbyn, a veteran backbencher, reached the threshold of 35 required to appear on the ballot, intending to “broaden the debate.”

Corbyn loyalty list: In March 2016, Champion was labelled as “core group plus” by the Corbyn leadership in a leaked list which categorised Labour MPs by their perceived loyalty. This label suggested the Corbyn leadership viewed Champion as a reliable supporter.

In November 2017, following two resignations and one “un-resignation”, she participated in a BBC documentary called Labour: The Summer that Changed Everything. In it, she discussed the psychological stress of the 2017 general election campaign and said of Corbyn: “I don’t believe you can be a leader if nobody’s following you”.

Factional identity and party tradition

Usdaw: Champion is a member of the Usdaw Union Parliamentary Group – a group of MPs who are members of the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw) and work generally to represent the union’s interests within parliament.

Brexit and Europe

Brexit referendum: Champion supported the remain campaign in the 2016 referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union (EU), and therefore disagreed with a majority of constituents, 68.3% of whom voted to leave.

Article 50: In February 2017, Champion voted in favour of the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill. The legislation empowered the prime minister to notify the Council of the European Union of the UK’s intention to withdraw, formally triggering the process set out in Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. MPs supported the bill by 498 votes to 114 at second reading.

In July 2019, reflecting on Labour’s Brexit stance, Champion stated: “If my party comes out as a remain party rather than trying to find a deal or rather than trying to exit, I can’t support that, it goes against democracy.”

She said she would prefer the government adopt a “no deal Brexit” approach, if the only other option was no Brexit at all. “If it came to it I would take no deal if that meant we could leave”, Champion said.

Welfare

Welfare vote (July 2025): Champion 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

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

In a LabourList article setting out her support for the bill, co-written alongside fellow MP Andy Slaughter, Champion wrote: “We were sent here to legislate and to legislate is to decide. We should have the courage to do that and to get it right. But not to legislate is also a decision. Not to vote for

“Kim Leadbeater’s bill is to decide that the status quo, with its manifest injustices, inherent cruelty and total absence of safeguards against coercion, is acceptable and preferable to a well-designed, rigorous and heavily safeguarded reform.”

She added: “That is the responsibility we will carry with us into the division lobbies. And it’s one that we, as Labour MPs who reject injustice and stand for compassion and human dignity, should be proud to embrace.”

Social values and conscience issues

Same-sex marriage (2013): In February 2013, Champion voted in favour of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill at its second reading. The landmark piece of legislation, which received its second reading by 400 votes to 175, legalised marriage for same-sex couples in England and Wales.

Abortion decriminalisation (2025): Champion 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.

Foreign policy and security

IPAC: Champion is a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) – an international, cross-party network of legislators from democratic countries focused on relations with the People’s Republic of China. The alliance, established on 4 June 2020, the anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre, was formed to unite “lawmakers worldwide, promoting democracy and addressing threats to the rules-based and human rights systems posed by the rise of China.”

Trident renewal (2016): Champion voted against a government motion calling for the renewal of the Trident nuclear deterrent system in July 2016. The motion, which was passed by 472 votes to 117, committed the UK to constructing a new fleet of submarines to carry the nation’s nuclear weapons. Labour was split over the issue with 140 of its 230 MPs going against leader Jeremy Corbyn and backing the motion.

Syria airstrikes (2015): Champion voted against a government motion to extend UK airstrikes against Isis from Iraq into Syria in December 2015. The motion, which was passed by 397 votes to 223 after a ten-hour debate in the House of Commons, authorised the RAF to conduct strikes against Isis targets in Syria.

Palestine (only Labour)

LFPME: Champion has been listed as a member of Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East (LFPME). The organisation’s stated aim is to promote peace and justice in the region through the application of international law and respect for human rights.

Palestinian recognition letter (July 2025): In July 2025, Champion was among the over 254 MPs to sign a cross-party letter calling for the government to immediately recognise the state of Palestine. The letter called on the prime minister and foreign secretary to recognise Palestine at the UN Conference then taking place in New York.

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Ceasefire vote (November 2023): Champion was among 56 Labour MPs to vote in favour of a Scottish National Party (SNP) amendment to the King’s Speech in the House of Commons calling for an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza – defying the instruction set out by the party’s frontbench. Labour had tabled its own motion, making a more moderate appeal for a “humanitarian pause” in the conflict and ordered its representatives to support that stance.

Palestinian recognition vote (2014): In October 2014, Champion was one of 192 Labour MPs who voted in favour of recognising Palestine as a state. The motion, passed by 274 votes to 12, called on the government to “recognise the state of Palestine alongside the state of Israel as a contribution to securing a negotiated two-state solution”.

Before Politics

Champion was born in Maldon, Essex, in 1969, before moving to Northamptonshire where she attended the Prince William School in Oundle.

She studied psychology at the University of Sheffield.

Upon graduating, she ran art and environment workshops in schools and libraries for Rotherham Borough Council. She entered full-time employment in 1994, running Rotheram Arts Centre. Champion then worked for Ashfield District Council as its arts development officer. She was CEO of the Chinese Art Centre in Manchester from 1996 until 2008.

Immediately before her election, she was chief executive of the Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice in Rotherham.

Personal Life

Champion is divorced.

In 2016, it was reported that she had been arrested in 2007 following a domestic dispute with her then-husband. Champion publicly acknowledged the incident, telling the Mirror that “I’m not proud of what happened and I accept I was in the wrong”.

She added: “I lost control after being provoked for years and for that I am sorry, but I felt extremely vulnerable at that moment.”