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From Mansfield to Westminster
In the summer of 2024, we were delighted and proud to see that eight Mansfield alumni were running for office in the General Election.
Jane Waghorn Head of Communications
Torsten Bell
(PPE, 2002) MP for Swansea West (Labour)
Before his election to Parliament, Torsten was Chief Executive of economic think-tank, the Resolution Foundation for nine years, after serving as Ed Miliband’s Director of Policy. Prior to that, he was a Treasury civil servant who became special adviser to Alistair Darling during the 2007-08 financial crisis. While at Mansfield, Torsten was Editor of Cherwell and he still makes time for journalism, writing about inequality in the UK, particularly the North-South divide. Since 2017 he has also written a column in the Observer entitled ‘Hidden Gems from the World of Research’.
Sir Chris Bryant
(English, 1980) MP for Rhondda & Ogmore (Labour)
Chris is probably the most well-known of our Mansfield MPs. Not only has he had a distinguished political career, holding ministerial positions under Gordon Brown and chairing Commons Committees, he has long been a strong advocate for LGBTQ rights. Today he is Minister of State at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. After graduating from Mansfield, Chris became a priest until leaving the ministry in 1991. From 1998 until his election to Parliament in 2001, he was Head of European Affairs at the BBC. In 2022 Chris was welcomed back to Mansfield to give the Hands Lecture. Sir Chris was knighted in the 2023 New Year Honours.
Luke Charters
(PPE, 2013) MP for York Outer (Labour)
Luke started his career at the Bank of England, working on a project to launch the polymer banknotes. He then became a regulator at the Financial Conduct Authority, where he worked on projects to protect vulnerable customers and reduce fraud. Before being elected to Parliament, Luke worked in the private sector in compliance and fraud protection.
My time at Mansfield played a significant role for my future career, including preparing me for life as an MP. From the moment I was welcomed by Lucinda Rumsey on an Open Day, I felt drawn to the College’s inviting ethos. The nurturing environment encouraged me to challenge myself, fostering the confidence and critical thinking essential for public service.
John Milne
(English, 1979) MP for Horsham (Liberal Democrat)
When elected to Parliament at the 2024 General Election, John became the first non-Conservative MP to represent Horsham in nearly 150 years. Prior to entering politics, he worked as a creative director in the advertising industry. John’s political career began when he was elected to Horsham District Council in 2019. He served as Deputy Leader of the council until his election to Parliament.
Joe Morris
(History, 2011) MP for Hexham (Labour)
Joe’s election win in Hexham was historic, overturning the Conservatives’ century-long majority of more than 10,000 to become the town’s first Labour MP. Before entering Parliament, he worked as a parliamentary assistant for Labour MPs Kate Hollern, Rupa Huq and Bill Esterson. Joe has been an active member of the Labour Party since he was 18, holding positions at branch, constituency and University levels. He was also President of the Mansfield College Alumni Association between 2017 and 2019.
The Rt Hon John Glen
(Modern History, 1993) MP for Salisbury (Conservative)
Another of Mansfield’s veteran politicians, John was first elected to Parliament as Conservative MP for Salisbury in 2010. He has held various Government posts: Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (November 2023 to July 2024); Chief Secretary to the Treasury (October 2022 to November 2023); Minister of State to the Treasury (September 2021 to July 2022); City Minister (January 2018 to July 2022); Economic Secretary to the Treasury (January 2018 to September 2021); Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (June 2017 to January 2018); and Parliamentary Private Secretary to Philip Hammond (July 2016 to June 2017).
Coming to Oxford in 1993 as the first in my family to attend university, I found the prospect daunting, but during my three years I found Mansfield gave me confidence to attempt to reach my professional goals. I was elected JCR President in 1995 when Mansfield gained ‘full college status’ – it has thrived since and it’s fantastic that Chris and myself are now joined by five new Mansfield alumni. I hope they will forgive me for sitting opposite them – we need some diversity among Mansfield parliamentarians!
James Naish
(Modern History, 2006) MP for Rushcliffe (Labour)
After graduating from Mansfield, James joined a marketing graduate scheme in London which led to a career working for a range of household names such as Barclaycard, Shell, Thames Water, Lloyds, TSB, SSE and RSA. James’ political career began in 2019 when he was elected to Bassetlaw District Council. He went on to become Leader of the Council in September 2022. James was selected by the Labour Party as its parliamentary candidate for Rushcliffe in February 2024 and went on to become the first Labour MP for the seat since 1966.
James Uffindell
(PPE, 1997) Conservative candidate for Warwick & Leamington
James is a technology entrepreneur and one of the UK’s leading experts on Gen Z talent. He started his first business in his student bedroom while studying at Mansfield – aptly a business helping students from non-traditional backgrounds to access the UK’s top universities, which he later sold to a private investor. In 2013 James founded Bright Network, a social mobility platform that uses data and insights to connect graduates with the world of work. He is a regular media commentator and speaker and has been featured in The Economist, Management Today, The Times, the Independent, the Daily Telegraph as well as live on radio and TV. In autumn 2023, James was selected by the Warwick & Leamington Conservative Association to represent it at the 2024 General Election and he led his campaign with a strong message to support regional economic growth.
Mansfield was fundamental in shaping my political views and outlook. I grew up in a rural area, was raised by a single working mother and we lived in rented accommodation before she eventually bought our house. Mansfield opened my eyes to people from all walks of life. The Berlin Wall had just fallen and Mansfield really was liberalism at its best, instilling a belief and trust in humanity. Everyone was open, curious, friendly and wanted to get on in life as opposed to following narrow obsessions with ideologies. My Mansfield experience allowed me to broaden my political interests, and my PPE tutors were superb – all of this combined to shape my thinking about how we balance building a society that is both fair but also takes account of individual responsibility and frees human talent to flourish, something I have committed my career to
