A year of planting seeds' MPs on trials of their first 12 months in government

Rising Labour voices who joined parliament in 2024 speak about the party's first year back in power and how it has tested them all.

- Aletha Adu

The Idealists Steve Witherden, Miatta Fahnbulleh, Jeevun Sandher

For Witherden, the MP for Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr, Fahnbulleh, the MP for Camberwell and Peckham, and Sandher, the MP for Loughborough, Labour's first year has been a lesson in managing urgent reform against the weight of political constraints. All talk about the urgency to drive radical reforms - and the costs of falling short.

Witherden's first day in parliament was also the day he lost his mother. "The serjeant at arms came in and said I needed to get on a train straight back to north-east Wales. I was able to be with my mum and hold her hand when she died just before midnight."

He calls the experience disorienting and says he struggled to find his footing. But a year on, he is unrepentant about voting against the welfare plans. "My feeling was we'd got it wrong. I thought we did need to make a stand on that. You risk undermining your own side - but ultimately, it led to a sound decision."

Witherden argues Labour has been bold on workers' rights and renationalisation but warns the party should not retreat. "Labour is best when it is bold."