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Miriam Joy Cates (born 23 August 1982) is a British politician who was the Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) for Penistone and Stocksbridge from 2019 to 2024.

Early life and education

Miriam Cates was born on 23 August 1982 in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.[2][3][4] She grew up in a Christian family and has two younger brothers.[5] Her father was a general practitioner,[5][6] while her mother, who had a maths degree, was a stay at home mum.[7] Although her parents had no particular interest in politics,[8] Cates was drawn to the field at an early age, including listening to the Today programme on the radio from the age of 11.[5] Her keen interest in politics led her to also become a young fan of the Westminster Hour.[7]

Whilst at primary school, she was "raised with rhymes about how much people hated Margaret Thatcher."[7] She then attended King Edward VII School,[9] a comprehensive school, where she was a straight-A student.[1] She reports that the "Leftist" ethic of her school turned her towards conservative ideas.[7] Initially, she intended to become a concert pianist.[7][1]

Cates went on to study Natural Sciences at Christ's College, Cambridge,[10] where she earned a degree in genetics.[1] She went on to obtain a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from Sheffield Hallam University, and worked as a biology teacher at Tapton School in Sheffield.[1]

Political career

Parish councillor

In an interview, Cates described moving to the village of Oughtibridge, joining the local Parent–Teacher Association and organising nights for mothers and the playgroup at her local church.[11] Speaking on a podcast in 2021, Cates said of that time: "I got a sense of what you could achieve if you’re passionate about your community”.[11] Cates was elected in 2015 as a parish councillor for Oughtibridge Ward on Bradfield Parish Council, which, at one point involved her campaigning to save local parkland.[7][8][12] She was re-elected in 2019 and resigned her seat in 2021.[13][14]

Cates stood as a Conservative candidate for Stannington ward in the 2018 Sheffield City Council election and joined the party in the same year, finishing third behind the Liberal Democrats candidates.[15]

Member of Parliament

Cates described a family friend asking her to stand as a Conservative candidate for Penistone & Stocksbridge in October 2018.[8][1][16] Though unsuccessful in her bid, she found she enjoyed campaigning, and decided to go to the next Conservative party conference.[8]

At that conference, in 2019, Cates met Anne Jenkin, who was recruiting for women candidates, and identified a seat near her home.[7] Cates was subsequently selected, and campaigned to be the MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge in the 2019 general election.[4][17] The seat was targeted as part of Boris Johnson's red wall strategy, with Cates and Johnson appearing together in the local campaign.[17]

Cates won the seat, with a majority of 7,210 (14.5%) on a swing of 8.6% from Labour to the Conservatives.[18] As such, Cates became the first Conservative MP in South Yorkshire since 1992.[4]

After her election, it was reported that a mobile app for foodbanks, developed by a company co-owned by Cates and her husband, was charging charities for its services.[19] It was confirmed that the app had been offered to the first foodbank at no cost. However, there was a set-up charge for sub help defray development and training costs.[20] Media accused her of breaking Covid rules by attending an event in December 2020, though a later inquiry was "satisfied on the balance of probabilities that the event included both business and social elements".[21][22]

Once in Parliament, Cates served as a member of the Ecclesiastical Committee and the Education Select Committee.[23] In the latter role, she submitted a report to the Prime Minister presenting evidence that many schools routinely misapply equality law "in favour of gender ideology."[24] In its place, Cates argue for a more strongly pro-parent outlook from Britain's schools.[25]

Cates also co-chaired a local advancement initiative, the Stocksbridge Towns Fund, with local property developer Mark Dransfield.[26] Alongside national-conservative figure Danny Kruger, Cates was elected to the Executive of the 1922 Committee on 11 July 2022.[27][28][29]

Halfway through her term, Boris Johnson resigned from the leadership, and Cates participated in the July 2022 Conservative Party leadership election[30] During the contest, Cates advocated for Suella Braverman, though the leadership eventually passed briefly to Liz Truss, followed by Rishi Sunak.[31]

Even so, Cates continued to support Braverman when she was criticised.[32] When Braveman accused London's Metropolitan Police of being more lenient with pro-Palestine protesters than supporters of Israel, Cates argued: "Suella Braverman’s views may be distasteful to Westminster liberals but they're utterly mainstream in the rest of UK".[33]

At the 2024 general election, Cates competed against four candidates.[34]

Mirroring the national trend, Cates lost a significant share of votes on polling day (down 23.7%), to both the conservative-side Reform UK candidate (taking 21.5%), and to candidates on the progressive-side, with Labour (up 10.3%), and the Green Party of England and Wales (up 4.6%), though the Liberal Democrats also lost ground overall (down 3.7%).[34] As such, the seat passed to the Labour candidate Marie Tidball.[35]

In an opinion piece surrounding the election, Cates wrote, "Reader, we blew it."[36] Offering that her party was "staring into the abyss" because it had failed, or forgotten, voters in post-industrial towns who wanted economic regeneration, patriotism, cultural security family, neighbourhood and nation.[36]

Political views

Miriam Cates in an interview in 2023

Cates was described as a "radical traditionalist" who felt that conservatism has become unnecessarily embittered, and that there is "too much whinging on the right".[1] Cates established the New Social Covenant Unit with fellow Conservative MP Danny Kruger in 2021 with the principal purpose of promoting policy that would "strengthen families, communities, and the nation".[37]

Brexit

Before entering Parliament, had supported the UK remaining a member of the European Union in the 2016 referendum but, during the election campaign, said she had since changed her mind and supported Brexit.[4]

Children

Cates argued for families to be able to have more children, and for societies that value children. She regards the very low number of children being born as the highest political concern for the UK.[38] In a plenary session of the 2023 National Conservatism Conference, Cates was quoted saying:

“I don’t care if you’re a Red Tory, a communitarian, a follower of Burke, or, heaven forbid, a libertarian free marketeer. None of these traditions has a future, none of our philosophical musings or policy proposals will amount to anything long-lasting unless we address the one overarching threat to British conservatism, and indeed the whole of Western society. No, it’s not climate change. It’s not Russia or China or Iran. It’s not the neo-Marxist ideology that has so weakened our institutions. It’s not inflation or taxation or poor productivity. No. There is one critical outcome that liberal individualism has completely failed to deliver and that is babies."[39]

During the COVID-19 pandemic Cates argued the policy emphasis should have been on "the long term impact of lockdowns on young peoples' lives".[40] In an speech at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship's inaugural conference, she criticised the way "our GDP-obsessed economic system demands that even mothers of small children leave their infants in daycare to return to the workplace."[41]

Conversion therapy

Cates claimed has said does not support, and never has supported, conversion therapy, however, she has voted against some versions of legislation that oppose it.[42][43]

Nation

Cates served on the advisory board of the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship, a group dedicated to cultural renewal in western nations.[44] In May 2023, at the National Conservatism Conference, Cates commented that she felt that Western society was threatened by Cultural Marxism along with falling birthrates. Cates stated in an interview in June 2023 that she misuses the former term as a catch-all pseudonym for "bad liberal ideology".[6][38] In August 2023, Cates called for the UK to leave the European Convention on Human Rights as she felt that it was a threat to democracy.[45] Cates argued for the nation to be resolved to use the power of the state to address the needs of voters who feel ignored and disrespected whilst also aiming to keep faith with Brexit voters.[1][7]

Trans concerns

Cates has expressed concerns about women losing rights "by saying that trans women are women, or by denying the importance of biological sex."[46] She warned that trans advocating charities Stonewall and Mermaids taught "dangerous and contested extreme ideologies that don't have a basis in science".[47] In one speech, she offered anecdotal observation that, for some men, "trans porn that led them into the trans arena."[48]

Post-politics

Leaving Parliament, Cates announced she would be taking roles in media and research.[49] She was revealed as a stand-in presenter for GB News in late July 2024.[50] She continues to write on themes of politics and culture, contributing to The Critic and The Telegraph. [51]

Personal life

Cates lives in Oughtibridge, a village near Stocksbridge in South Yorkshire, with her husband Dave and three children.[16][1] She is an evangelical Christian and met her husband while working on a voluntary project at their church, the Network Church in Sheffield, on a gap year after her Cambridge studies.[6][52][53][54]

She and her husband founded and own together a software company, Redemption Media. He is the managing director and she is the finance director.[55] Her husband is also the chair of the trust board overseeing the Peak Edge Academy Trust.[56]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Lloyd, Will (7 February 2024). "Miriam Cates: the radical traditionalist". New Statesman. Archived from the original on 17 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  2. ^ "Members Sworn". parliament.uk. 18 December 2019. Archived from the original on 19 December 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  3. ^ Brunskill, Ian (19 March 2020). The Times guide to the House of Commons 2019 : the definitive record of Britain's historic 2019 General Election. HarperCollins Publishers Limited. p. 298. ISBN 978-0-00-839258-1. OCLC 1129682574. Archived from the original on 9 November 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d Burn, Chris (28 November 2019). "Conservatives on course for first South Yorkshire victory since 1992 in wake of 'chicken run' MP". Yorkshire Post. Archived from the original on 1 December 2019.
  5. ^ a b c "Miriam Cates on conservatism, embracing complexity and the importance of family". Theos. 18 August 2021. Event occurs at 04:00. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  6. ^ a b c Turner, Janice (29 June 2023). "Is Miriam Cates a mainstream Tory or a right-wing ideologue?". The Times.(subscription required)
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h Pearson, Allison (27 May 2023). "Miriam Cates: 'If we don't favour our own country no one else will. That is our first duty'". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  8. ^ a b c d Feroze, Natasha (3 February 2023). "Women With Balls: The Miriam Cates Edition on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  9. ^ Bond, Daniel (16 December 2019). "Class of 2019: Meet the new MPs". Politics Home. Archived from the original on 16 December 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  10. ^ "Oxbridge colleges offer a particularly sheltered existence — when I was at Christ’s College, our rooms were cleaned, our bins emptied and all our meals cooked." Cates, Miriam (10 May 2024). "The students are revolting. Far too many young people are sheltered from the real world by their university education.". The Critic. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  11. ^ a b "UNBELIEVABLE, a conversation with...: Miriam Cates on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  12. ^ "Conservative Candidate Elected". Look Local. 19 December 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  13. ^ "Local Parish Election Results". Sheffield City Council. Archived from the original on 26 April 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  14. ^ "The Register of Members' Financial Interests As at 3 May 2022". UK Parliament. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  15. ^ "Sheffield City Council Results" (PDF). Sheffield City Council. p. 24. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 June 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  16. ^ a b Hill, Henry (25 October 2018). "Miriam Cates selected for Penistone & Stocksbridge". ConservativeHome. Archived from the original on 17 January 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  17. ^ a b "Battle lines drawn in Penistone and Stocksbridge as Labour chooses candidate to replace MP Angela Smith". Yorkshire Post. October 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  18. ^ "Penistone & Stocksbridge". BBC News. Archived from the original on 14 June 2020. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  19. ^ Wyatt, Tim (14 December 2019). "Foodbank app run by newly elected Tory MP charges charities to use it". The Independent. Archived from the original on 15 May 2022.
  20. ^ Scott, Geraldine (16 December 2019). "New Yorkshire Tory MP hits back at claims she profits from foodbanks". Yorkshire Post. Archived from the original on 16 December 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  21. ^ "NOT UPHELD: MS MIRIAM CATES MP, MS VIRGINIA CROSBIE MP, SIR BERNARD JENKIN MP, AND RT HON. DAME ELEANOR LAING MP" (PDF). UK Parliament. 26 March 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  22. ^ "Sir Bernard Jenkin MP cleared of flouting Covid-19 rules". BBC News. 27 March 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  23. ^ "Parliamentary career for Miriam Cates". UK Parliament. Archived from the original on 15 November 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  24. ^ Adamus, Edmund (13 April 2023). "Stonewall infiltrated our schools, but the fightback has begun". Catholic Herald. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  25. ^ Adamus, Edmund (13 April 2023). "Stonewall infiltrated our schools, but the fightback has begun". Catholic Herald. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  26. ^ Walker, Peter; Duncan, Pamela; McIntyre, Niamh (16 July 2021). "Labour concerned over management of flagship levelling up scheme". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 15 November 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  27. ^ "Results of the 1922 Committee Elections". ConservativeHome. 11 July 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  28. ^ "1922 Committee re-elects chairman and vice-chairmen". The Daily Telegraph. 11 July 2022. Archived from the original on 12 July 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2024. In Updates thread: 5:43PM.
  29. ^ Garton-Crosbie, Abbi (11 July 2022). "Powerful Tory 1922 Committee announces new executive after major election". The National. Archived from the original on 13 July 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  30. ^ Cates, Miriam (12 July 2022). "Suella Braverman is the anti-woke prime minister our children need". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 23 October 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  31. ^ House, Coffee (19 July 2022). "Who's backing whom? Sunak still ahead". The Spectator. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  32. ^ Cates, Miriam (21 October 2022). "Miriam Cates backs Rishi Sunak for leader". Miriam's newsletter. Archived from the original on 1 November 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  33. ^ Webber, Jude; Gross, Anna; Fisher, Lucy; Parker, George (9 November 2023). "'She's toast': Suella Braverman dares Rishi Sunak with provocative rhetoric". Financial Times. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  34. ^ a b "Penistone and Stocksbridge – General election results 2024". BBC News.
  35. ^ "South Yorkshire election results see clean sweep for Labour". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  36. ^ a b Cates, Miriam (5 May 2024). "Reader, we blew it. The route back for my party is steep and narrow". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  37. ^ "About Us". New Social Covenant Unit. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  38. ^ a b Walker, Peter; Crerar, Pippa (15 May 2023). "Low birthrate is UK's top priority, Tory MP tells rightwing conference". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  39. ^ "National Conservatism Comes to the U.K. | John Duggan". First Things. 18 May 2023. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  40. ^ Ashton, Lucy (18 June 2021). "Anger over Sheffield MP's 'offensive and insensitive' Covid and the elderly comment". Yorkshire Live. Archived from the original on 14 November 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  41. ^ Martin, Daniel (30 October 2023). "Miriam Cates blames increase in working women for rise in children going to school in nappies". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  42. ^ "Miriam Cates: Tory candidate was trustee of church that 'endorsed' conversion therapy". BBC News. 1 July 2024. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  43. ^ "Tory candidate was member of church which endorsed gay conversion therapy". Kent Online. 2 July 2024. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  44. ^ "This global right-wing movement wants to save the world. It just needs a plan". POLITICO. 2 November 2023. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  45. ^ Tolson, Jack (18 August 2023). "MP: Mass migration a 'serious security threat'". Barnsley Chronicle. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
  46. ^ "Conservative MP argues women 'are being cancelled' over trans debate". politics.co.uk. 11 October 2021. Archived from the original on 14 November 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  47. ^ "MP condemns LGBT charities teaching 'dangerous and extreme ideologies' in schools". LBC. 9 November 2021. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  48. ^ Walker, Peter; Allegretti, Aubrey; Adu, Aletha (1 October 2023). "Little sign of Tory unity as factions jostle on first day of conference". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  49. ^ "Former MP takes on new TV host role". Barnsley Chronicle. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  50. ^ "Big news for GB News viewers as new host revealed". www.gbnews.com. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  51. ^ "Labour could cause irreversible damage in government | Miriam Cates". The Critic Magazine. 4 July 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  52. ^ Following God into the neighbourhood. Network Church Sheffield. 25 February 2018. Event occurs at 01:10. Archived from the original on 14 November 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  53. ^ "Miriam Cates MP: we're obsessed with what we can measure". UnHerd. 2 February 2021.
  54. ^ Juvenal (31 May 2023). "Rising star of the right: who is Miriam Cates?". Yorkshire Bylines. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  55. ^ "Class of 2019: Meet the new MPs". Politics Home. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  56. ^ "Trustees". Peak Edge Academy Trust. Archived from the original on 15 November 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
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for Penistone and Stocksbridge
2019–2024 		Succeeded by


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