Steve Rotheram is a British Labour politician serving as the Mayor of the Liverpool City Region since 8 May 2017, a position he was first elected to when the office was established. He previously held the role of Parliamentary Private Secretary to Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of Her Majesty's Opposition, from 2015 to 2017, and was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Liverpool Walton from 2010 until his resignation in 2017 to take up his mayoral duties.
Rotheram also served as the Lord Mayor of Liverpool from 2008 to 2009. Born on 4 November 1961 in Kirkby, England, Rotheram embarked on a career as a bricklayer after leaving school at 16 and later established his own construction company.
His educational journey continued with a Master's in Contemporary Urban Renaissance from Liverpool Hope University, after attending Liverpool John Moores University. Before entering full-time politics, he worked as a business manager for the Learning and Skills Council.
His political career began on the Liverpool City Council, where he represented Fazakerley for Labour from 2002 to 2011. His tenure as Lord Mayor coincided with Liverpool's designation as the European Capital of Culture.
As an MP, Rotheram was involved in various committees and played a significant role in advocating for the victims of the Hillsborough disaster, including organizing a charity single to cover their legal costs, which achieved the Christmas number one spot in 2012. In his capacity as Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Rotheram has focused on improving transport infrastructure and connectivity, supporting apprentices with reduced travel costs, addressing homelessness, and pushing for environmental sustainability.
His administration declared a climate emergency with the goal of becoming net zero carbon by 2040 or sooner. Rotheram's leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic involved negotiating with the British government for additional support for businesses affected by Tier 3 restrictions.
Re-elected for a second term in May 2021, Rotheram has continued to advocate for regional issues, including the introduction of a bus franchising model for greater control over public transport in the region. He co-authored a book with Andy Burnham in 2024, which has been criticized for its simplistic portrayal of the North–South divide in England.
Rotheram is married to Sandra, a psychiatric nurse, and they have three children together. His personal experiences and career reflect a deep commitment to public service and advocacy for the Liverpool City Region and its residents.
The Labour Party is a prominent political force in the United Kingdom, characterized by its alignment with social democracy and democratic socialism. Situated on the centre-left of the political spectrum, Labour has played a significant role in British politics since its founding in 1900.
Emerging from the trade union movement and socialist parties of the 19th century, it initially served to represent the interests of the working class.
As of the last general election in 2019, Labour holds the position of the Official Opposition in the UK Parliament, having secured the second-largest number of seats. It is the largest party in the Welsh Parliament and the third-largest in the Scottish Parliament.
Internationally, Labour is affiliated with the Party of European Socialists and the Progressive Alliance and holds observer status in the Socialist International.
The Labour Party, under the leadership of Sir Keir Starmer, is focused on restoring economic stability to the UK. They advocate for strict fiscal policies to prevent unnecessary expenditures, promoting transparency and efficiency through new oversight bodies like the Covid Corruption Commissioner and an Office for Value for Money.
Their economic plan is designed to contrast with the perceived instability under the Conservative Party, emphasizing responsible financial management and targeted investments for growth.
Labour criticizes the current government for reducing the UK’s defense capabilities and outlines a plan to revitalize the nation's military resources. The party proposes a comprehensive Strategic Defence and Security Review, supporting the armed forces more robustly, and establishing an Armed Forces Commissioner to ensure the security of the nation and uphold the interests of military personnel.
The party plans a significant overhaul of the UK's immigration and border security systems, aiming to create a more efficient and secure framework. Labour’s strategy includes enhancing the enforcement of border laws, dismantling human trafficking networks, and improving the asylum system to ensure it is both cost-effective and secure.
Labour intends to undertake substantial reforms within the National Health Service (NHS) to address inefficiencies and the backlog caused by Conservative policies. The plan includes investments in healthcare infrastructure such as more MRI and CT scanners, and increasing the number of healthcare professionals to provide better service and care.
Tackling crime and enhancing community safety are central to Labour’s agenda, with plans to increase the police presence and introduce new community policing measures. The party emphasizes preventive strategies, especially focusing on youth crime and the root causes of antisocial behavior, to foster safer communities.
Labour commits to transformative educational reforms to ensure equitable opportunities for all. These reforms include recruiting more teachers, overhauling the curriculum, and investing in school infrastructure to equip students for modern challenges and ensure access to high-quality education and lifelong learning opportunities across the country.
In response to environmental concerns and the energy crisis, Labour advocates for establishing a new publicly-owned clean energy company and expanding renewable energy resources. This initiative aims to reduce dependency on foreign energy, combat climate change, and stimulate economic growth through the creation of sustainable jobs.
The Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer, with deputy leader Angela Rayner, and General Secretary David Evans, positions itself as a centre-left party, embodying social democratic and democratic socialist ideologies. Founded in 1900, Labour has grown from its trade union roots to become a major political force in the UK, advocating for social justice, economic reform, and public service enhancement.
The party maintains active branches across the UK, including Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and engages with various international socialist and social democratic groups, reflecting its commitment to broad-based, progressive policies.
Labour advocates for a blend of social democracy and democratic socialism, aiming to balance market economics with social welfare policies. It promotes government intervention in the economy, fair distribution of wealth, and comprehensive public services, including healthcare and education.
The party maintains close ties with the Co-operative Party, with many Labour MPs sitting in Parliament as Labour Co-operative representatives. While it supports the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) in Northern Ireland, Labour continues to organize and maintain a presence there, adapting its strategies to address both local and national issues effectively.
Overall, the Labour Party remains a key player in shaping the political, social, and economic landscape of the United Kingdom, committed to advancing the principles of fairness, equality, and social justice.