| Dr Sam Rushworth | |
| Honorific-Suffix: | MP |
| Office1: | Member of Parliament for Bishop Auckland |
| Majority1: | 6,672 (16.5%) |
| Predecessor1: | Dehenna Davison |
| Term Start1: | 4 July 2024 |
| Birth Date: | 1984 |
| Nationality: | British |
| Party: | Labour |
| Alma Mater: | University of Manchester |
| Website: | https://www.samrushworth.co.uk/ |
| Occupation: | Politician |
Dr Samuel Jonathan Rushworth (born 1984) is a British Labour Party politician who has served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bishop Auckland since 2024.[1] Rushworth grew up in Blackpool and studied economics at the University of Manchester. He previously worked in international development and was involved with the Labour campaign for international development. Rushworth unsuccessfully contested Blackpool North and Cleveleys in 2015 and Tatton in 2017 before being elected as MP for Bishop Auckland in the 2024 general election, winning 42.1% of the vote with a majority of 6,672. He is married with five children and is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Rushworth grew up in Blackpool, attending Hodgson High School, a local state school. He pursued higher education at the University of Manchester, where he earned a BA (Hons) in Economics and Social Studies, specialising in Development Economics.[2]
He furthered his studies with an MA in International Development: Poverty, Conflict, and Reconstruction from the same university. Rushworth also holds a Diploma in Advanced Business French from the Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie de Paris and a Master of Research (MRes) in Education and International Development from the University of East Anglia, where he later completed his PhD.
His doctoral thesis, titled Anxiety and Uncertainty in a Rwandan Catholic Secondary Boarding School, which offers an in-depth ethnographic study of Rwandan adolescents in a Catholic boarding school. His work focuses on the themes of anxiety and uncertainty in educational settings and is a significant contribution to the field of education and international development.[3]
Rushworth's career began in various roles that laid the foundation for his future work in international development and education. He served as a Project Manager for Stockport Council and later as a Volunteering and Training Manager for the British Red Cross. His commitment to youth and community services was evident during his tenure as a Youth Club Manager at the Hamlet Centre and as an Associate Tutor at the University of East Anglia.[4]
Rushworth's significant contributions to international development began with his work at the Aegis Trust, an organization dedicated to the prevention of genocide and mass atrocities.[5] He held several key positions, including Head of Engagement, Director of Strategy, and Special Advisor to the Head of Strategy. In these roles, he specialized in education and conflict prevention, developing and implementing strategies to promote peace and stability in conflict-affected regions.
In 2017, Rushworth co-founded African Dreams Ltd, a consultancy focused on development projects in Rwanda, where he continues to serve as CEO. He also founded Our World Research & Consultancy Ltd, providing strategic advice and research services on global development issues.[6]
Rushworth has maintained a strong connection to academia throughout his career. He worked as a Lecturer at Macclesfield College of Further Education and has been involved in various research projects.[7] Just before becoming an MP he was the Programme Manager for the Strategic Research Fund at Durham University, where he oversees initiatives aimed at fostering innovative research and development.
Rushworth's political journey began with his candidacy in Blackpool North and Cleveleys in 2015 and Tatton in 2017.[8]
He was selected as the Labour Party's prospective parliamentary candidate for Bishop Auckland in 2022, a previously 'Red Wall' seat, but one of many that fell to the Conservatives at the 2019 General Election in 2022.[9] He successfully contested the seat in the 2024 general election, winning 17,036 votes, or 42.1% of the overall vote, with a majority of 6,672.[10] He was also the chair of Bishop Auckland Constituency Labour Party.[11]
He has served on the executive board of the Labour Campaign for International Development (LCID) and is known for his advocacy on issues such as child poverty.[12] During the COVID-19 pandemic, Rushworth and his family walked from coast to coast to raise funds for Children North East, a charity supporting disadvantaged children.[13]
Rushworth is married to Siobhain, and they have five children[14] including Eden, Amelie and Jesse.[15] He is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has worked with the church to bring delegations of women and youth from countries affected by interfaith conflict.[16] [17]