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Sam Tarry

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Sam Tarry
Official portrait, 2019
Shadow Minister for Buses and Local Transport
In office
7 January 2021 – 27 July 2022
LeaderKeir Starmer
Preceded byMatt Rodda
Succeeded bySimon Lightwood
Member of Parliament
for Ilford South
In office
12 December 2019 – 30 May 2024
Preceded byMike Gapes
Succeeded byJas Athwal
Member of Barking and Dagenham London Borough Council for Chadwell Heath
In office
6 May 2010 – 3 May 2018
Personal details
Born
Samuel Peter Tarry

(1982-08-27) 27 August 1982 (age 42)
Westminster, London, England
Political partyLabour
Other political
affiliations		Socialist Campaign Group (2019–2024)
Spouse
Julia Fozard
​
​
(m. 2016, separated)​
Domestic partnerAngela Rayner (2022–2023)
Children2
Residence(s)Dagenham, London
Alma materUniversity College London

Samuel Peter Tarry (/ˈtɑːri/; born 27 August 1982)[1] is a British former politician who was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ilford South from 2019 until 2024. He was a member of the Socialist Campaign Group parliamentary caucus. On 10 October 2022 he was deselected by the Ilford South Constituency Labour Party as its candidate for the next general election.

Early life and career

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Samuel Tarry was born on 27 August 1982 in Westminster.[2] The eldest son of The Revd Canon Gordon Tarry, a Church of England clergyman, he grew up on St. Andrews Road and attended Highlands Primary School in Ilford. His family later moved to Seven Kings, and Tarry completed his secondary education at St Edward's Church of England School in Romford. He acquired his first job at the age of 15 as a cleaner at Redbridge College, and later worked at Sainsbury's to help pay for his studies at University College London.[3][4][5][6]

Political career

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From 2009 to 2011, Tarry was the Chair of Young Labour, the youth wing of the Labour Party.[7] Tarry went on to be active in anti-fascism, including working as a Community Organiser for Hope not Hate.[8][9]

Tarry was a Labour Party councillor for Chadwell Heath ward, in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, from 2010 to 2018.[10] Tarry was criticised for allegedly living in his home in Brighton, which is 70 miles away from his then council seat in Barking and Dagenham.[11][12][13] He was investigated by police for electoral fraud in relation to this matter, and was cleared by the police investigation, as he was found to own a second home in Barking and Dagenham, and therefore was legally resident in Barking and Dagenham at the time of his election.[14]

Tarry speaking in 2016

In 2016 Tarry worked under Jon Lansman's supervision as a director of Jeremy Corbyn's successful Labour Party leadership campaign.[15]

He subsequently worked as the national political officer for the TSSA trade union, and served as the president of a thinktank, the Centre for Labour and Social Studies (CLASS).[16]

In 2017 Tarry stood for selection to be the Labour parliamentary candidate for the Labour-held seat of Hull West and Hessle. He was the favourite to be selected, because of his relationship with Corbyn.[17][18][19] The party instead selected Emma Hardy, a local teacher and trade union organiser.[20][21]

In 2019, Tarry stood for selection to be the Labour parliamentary candidate for Ilford South, previously held by Mike Gapes. His campaign was jointly run by GMB and Momentum.[22] On 4 October 2019, the evening before members were due to vote, a rival candidate, Redbridge Council leader Jas Athwal, was suspended from the party over an allegation of sexual harassment.[23][24][25] On 22 October 2019, after a postponement of the vote, and with Athwal ineligible due to his suspension, Tarry was selected.[25] Athwal was subsequently cleared of any wrongdoing.[26][27][28]

Parliamentary career

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At the 2019 general election, Tarry was elected to Parliament as MP for Ilford South with 65.6% of the vote and a majority of 24,101.[29][30][31]

Tarry was appointed to the Transport Select Committee, on which he has been credited as being a "passionate advocate for public ownership".[32] In this role, he called for introduction of a death in service payment scheme for London transport workers.[33] He also joined the Socialist Campaign Group of left-wing Labour MPs.[34]

Prior to his election in 2019 Tarry said "There are people associated with the Labour Party who have sought to exploit the issue [of antisemitism] just because they don't agree with Jeremy Corbyn over an issue of foreign policy". The Jewish Labour Movement criticised this remark as underplaying the issue of antisemitism in the Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn. In response Tarry said that he was "clearly referring" to Mike Gapes who held the seat prior to himself. He further stated, "As someone who has worked with many interfaith groups and organisations, including Searchlight and Hope not Hate, specifically to fight antisemitism and racism, this is something I care deeply about and would never seek to downplay".[35][36]

During the 2020 Labour leadership election campaign Tarry said that Keir Starmer would have to show how he would appeal to northern seats that had abandoned Labour, given that he was a "North London lawyer" and had opposed Brexit.[37] Tarry subsequently supported Rebecca Long-Bailey in the leadership contest.[38]

From April 2020 until January 2021 Tarry was a Parliamentary Private Secretary to Ed Miliband in the Shadow Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy team, and as part of the parliamentary team of Angela Rayner, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, when he was appointed to the role of Shadow Minister for Buses and Local Transport.[39][40][41]

The summer of 2022 saw significant amounts of industrial unrest, with[42][43] Keir Starmer instructing members of his shadow cabinet to refrain from joining picket lines.[44] However, some Labour MPs did appear on picket lines including frontbenchers Kate Osborne, Paula Barker, and Navendu Mishra.[45][46] Tarry was dismissed from his position as Shadow Minister for Buses and Local Transport on 27 July after he had appeared on a rail strike picket at Euston railway station. He said in a TV interview that workers should receive a pay rise in line with inflation, though Labour policy was that pay increases should be based on negotiation. A spokesperson for the party said that "Sam Tarry was sacked because he booked himself onto media programmes without permission and then made up policy on the hoof".[47][48] However, his sacking was criticised by trade union leaders, and Tarry wrote in a newspaper opinion piece that "failing to join the striking rail workers on a picket line would have been an abject dereliction of duty for me as a Labour MP".[49][50]

Tarry speaking during Prime Minister's Questions, 7 February 2024

Tarry said the murder of Zara Aleena in July 2022 in Ilford was "incredibly shocking" and called on the local community to "all [pull] together".[51] Tarry said the case was a "shameful failure" of the probation service.[52]

In July 2022 a trigger ballot was held in Ilford South to determine whether Tarry should face reselection; Tarry lost the vote 57.5% to 42.5%.[53] On 10 October 2022 a reselection vote was held, which Tarry lost to local council leader Jas Athwal by 361 votes to 499.[54]

Tarry has been an advocate for drug checking at concerts and harm reduction measures in festival settings.[55] In 2023, Tarry's letter on the subject to then-Home Secretary Suella Braverman was supported by Fatboy Slim, Billy Bragg and Olugbenga Adelekan as well as 31 MPs.[55]

Personal life

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Tarry married paediatrician Julia Fozard in 2016,[11][12] and they have two sons. It was reported in July 2022 that the couple had separated.[56][57][58] In the summer of 2022 journalists began reporting that Tarry was "in a relationship" with Angela Rayner, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, but the relationship ended in 2023.[59]

References

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  1. ^ 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. ISBN 978-0-00-839258-1. OCLC 1129682574. Archived from the original on 9 November 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  2. ^ "Why I'm standing for Young Labour chair". Liberal Conspiracy. Archived from the original on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  3. ^ Clemenson, Matthew (24 August 2019). "Trade union official Sam Tarry hoping to be named Labour's next parliamentary candidate for Ilford South". Ilford Recorder. Archived from the original on 22 December 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  4. ^ Braddrick, Imogen (17 July 2019). "Former Redbridge and Newham school pupils reunited 20 years after 'powerful' interfaith project". Ilford Recorder. Archived from the original on 7 July 2020. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  5. ^ "Our Story – Saint John the Evangelist". www.saintjohnschurch.co.uk. Archived from the original on 31 March 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  6. ^ "appointments". Church Times. Archived from the original on 19 April 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  7. ^ Tarry, Sam (16 July 2010). "Organising for Labour. Organising to Win". LabourList. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  8. ^ Tarry, Sam (16 July 2010). "Organising for Labour. Organising to Win". Labourlist. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  9. ^ "Sam Tarry". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 16 April 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  10. ^ "Councillor details – Cllr Sam Tarry". London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. 22 December 2020. Archived from the original on 29 July 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  11. ^ a b "Corbyn adviser denies claims of electoral fraud over registered address". The Guardian. London. 28 August 2016. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  12. ^ a b Gilligan, Andrew. "'Double life' of Corbyn henchman". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  13. ^ Swinford, Steven (28 August 2016). "Jeremy Corbyn's adviser works as councillor in London but has marital home 70 miles away". The Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  14. ^ Peyer, Robin de (9 July 2014). "East London Labour councillor Sam Tarry cleared after investigation". Evening Standard. London. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  15. ^ "HuffPost is now a part of Verizon Media". consent.yahoo.com. Retrieved 5 August 2020.[permanent dead link]
  16. ^ Rodgers, Sienna (22 October 2019). "Sam Tarry wins Ilford South selection to replace Mike Gapes". LabourList. Archived from the original on 23 October 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  17. ^ "Who is Sam Tarry?". Hull Daily Mail. 2017. Archived from the original on 26 April 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  18. ^ "Corbynites left out in the cold in Hull". The Spectator. 27 April 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  19. ^ Staufenberg, Jess (18 February 2020). "Profile: Emma Hardy". FE Week. Archived from the original on 23 September 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  20. ^ Watson, Iain (28 April 2017). "Key Corbyn allies not selected by Labour". BBC News. Archived from the original on 3 December 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  21. ^ Joslin, Mike. "Behind the scenes on Labour's candidate selection". WriteYou. Archived from the original on 21 September 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  22. ^ Rodgers, Sienna (22 October 2019). "Sam Tarry wins Ilford South selection to replace Mike Gapes". LabourList. Archived from the original on 23 October 2019. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  23. ^ "Redbridge Council leader suspended over 'serious allegation'". BBC News. 5 October 2019. Archived from the original on 22 October 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  24. ^ Pogrund, Gabriel; Wheeler, Caroline (20 October 2019). "Corbyn friends 'stitch up' seats". The Sunday Times. London. Archived from the original on 25 November 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  25. ^ a b Rodgers, Sienna (22 October 2019). "Sam Tarry wins Ilford South selection to replace Mike Gapes". LabourList. Archived from the original on 23 October 2019. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  26. ^ "Redbridge Council leader cleared of Labour 'axe to grind' complaint". BBC News. 16 September 2020. Archived from the original on 14 August 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
  27. ^ "Redbridge Council leader Jas Athwal calls for investigation after being cleared of allegations against him". Ilford Recorder. 16 September 2020. Archived from the original on 14 August 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
  28. ^ "Labour councillor tells of his 'darkest time' in suspension row". The Guardian. London. 4 October 2020. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 14 August 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
  29. ^ "Ilford South Parliamentary constituency". BBC News. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  30. ^ Statement of Persons Nominated and Notice of Poll London Borough of Redbridge
  31. ^ "Ilford South". BBC News. Archived from the original on 11 April 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  32. ^ "TSSA welcomes appointment of "passionate advocate for public ownership" Sam Tarry to Transport Select Committee – News". Transport Salaried Staffs' Association. Archived from the original on 11 April 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  33. ^ Boyle, Cash (23 July 2020). "Ilford South MP quizzes Mayor of London on death in service payments for transport workers". Ilford Recorder. Archived from the original on 15 August 2020. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  34. ^ Webber, Esther; Wright, Oliver; Zeffman, Henry. "Labour leadership: Corbynistas oppose Angela Rayner's bid to be deputy". The Times. London. ISSN 0140-0460. Archived from the original on 11 April 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  35. ^ Phillips, Alek (28 November 2019). "Ilford South Labour candidate says people in the party 'exploit' antisemitism to attack Corbyn 'over foreign policy'". The Jewish Chronicle. Archived from the original on 29 December 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  36. ^ Frot, Mathilde. "Labour candidate claims some 'exploit' antisemitism over foreign policy clash". Jewish News. Archived from the original on 14 April 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  37. ^ "Ilford South MP questions Keir Starmer's 'north London lawyer' image". East London and West Essex Guardian Series. 8 January 2020. Archived from the original on 11 April 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  38. ^ "Rolling list: MP/MEP nominations for Labour leadership candidates". LabourList. 8 January 2020. Archived from the original on 12 March 2022. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  39. ^ Rodgers, Sienna (21 April 2020). "Angela Rayner unveils new MP appointments to transform Labour". LabourList. Archived from the original on 11 December 2020. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  40. ^ Tarry, Sam [@SamTarry] (20 April 2020). "I'm excited to be working with @Ed_Miliband as a Parliamentary Private Secretary for his brief as Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. @UKLabour will work to ensure that we transition to a green industrial revolution beyond #COVID19" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 1 May 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020 – via Twitter.
  41. ^ Rodgers, Sienna (7 January 2021). "New roles for Dromey, Anderson, Rodda and Tarry in Labour reshuffle". LabourList. Archived from the original on 7 January 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  42. ^ Atkin, Elizabeth (29 June 2022). "What strikes could be happening in 2022? Latest news and dates". Metro. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  43. ^ Smythe, Polly (21 July 2022). "This summer's strikes are already working – unions, set your sights even higher". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  44. ^ Walker, Peter (28 July 2022). "Why has Keir Starmer picked battle over shadow ministers on picket lines?". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  45. ^ "Rail strike: Labour MPs defy Keir Starmer's picket line plea". BBC News. 21 June 2022. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  46. ^ "'Don't tell Starmer': Labour MPs join picket lines after leader bans frontbench". ITV News. 21 June 2022. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  47. ^ "Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer says he sacked shadow minister for making up policy 'on the hoof' at picket line". Sky News. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  48. ^ "Keir Starmer sacks shadow transport minister who backed rail strikes". BBC News. Archived from the original on 27 July 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  49. ^ Meade, Aimee (29 July 2022). "Sam Tarry: It is a dereliction of duty for Starmer and Labour MPs to not join picket lines". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  50. ^ "Shadow ministers question Labour's stance on strikes after Tarry sacking". The Guardian. London. 27 July 2022. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 27 July 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  51. ^ Dodd, Vikram; Abdul, Geneva (27 June 2022). "Zara Aleena: police arrest man on suspicion of murder in east London". The Guardian.
  52. ^ Mewawalla, Tara (25 January 2023). "Ilford MPs demand action after "shameful failures" in case of Zara Aleena's killer". Ilford Recorder.
  53. ^ "Tarry instructs law firm over 'allegations of irregularity' in trigger ballot process". Labour List. 30 August 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  54. ^ Elgot, Jessica (10 October 2022). "Sam Tarry deselected as MP by Ilford South Labour members". The Guardian.
  55. ^ a b Syal, Rajeev (25 June 2023). "Fatboy Slim backs appeal to allow onsite festival drug testing". The Guardian.
  56. ^ Diver, Tony; Turner, Camilla; Gill, Oliver (27 July 2022). "Keir Starmer sacks Angela Rayner's shadow minister boyfriend for joining rail strike picket line". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 27 July 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  57. ^ Isgin, Kieran (28 July 2022). "Starmer 'faces revolt' for sacking Angela Rayner's partner for attending strike". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
  58. ^ Green, Chris (9 August 2022). "Angela Rayner says Keir Starmer was 'within his rights' to sack her partner, Sam Tarry". i. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
  59. ^ Edwardes, Charlotte (24 March 2024). "Angela Rayner on roots, rough edges and being ready for power". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 13 June 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
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Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Ilford South
2019–2024 		Succeeded by
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