You've nothing to lose' Labour's 'bonus MPs' from non-target seats put local agendas first

Neil Duncan-Jordan's new parliamentary office is at the top of a steep staircase in a maze of corridors just behind the speaker's house, with a sweeping view of the Thames.

- Jessica Elgot

Neil Duncan-Jordan's new parliamentary office is at the top of a steep staircase in a maze of corridors just behind the speaker's house, with a sweeping view of the Thames. The space is decorated with mod posters and jazz vinyl; he has Miles Davis playing on the record player.

"I want it to be me," he said. "Because this place isn't me, is it? Working-class people didn't come here very often in the past. Now there's many more of us and we bring our traditions. Somehow you've got to try and make this part of you."

Duncan-Jordan, the first Labour MP for Poole, never expected to be sitting here. But he has made a big impression, speaking out against government decisions on winter fuel payments and the refusal of compensation for Waspi women.

He is one of Labour's 33 so-called "bonus MPs" who arrived in Westminster from non-target seats. Some have their own WhatsApp group to navigate the surprise of leaving behind jobs and families to sit in the House of Commons.

Sam Carling, the MP for North West Cambridgeshire, was studying for a master's degree when he was elected aged 22. "During the campaign you just have tunnel vision. And when you win, you have to move house and start a new job, essentially start a small business recruiting staff," he said.

The new MPs are from different wings of the party. Duncan-Jordan joked that they were all acutely aware they may not get long in the job. "My neighbour [another MP] said people like you are dangerous because you're not after a career. You weren't supposed to be here, and you've got nothing to lose."