Political career
In 2006, Brash became councillor for the Burn Valley ward in Hartlepool. He later left the Labour Party to become an Independent Councillor,[4] and stood down from the Council in 2016. Brash returned to the same role of councillor for the Labour Party in 2021.[5]
In the 2024 general election, Brash was elected as MP of Hartlepool. He received 46.2% of the vote and gained the seat from Jill Mortimer.[6]
On 11 August 2024, Brash announced that he was going to stand down as councillor so that he could focus on the role of MP. In a statement, he said: "Being an MP is a full-time job and now that the dust has settled on last month’s General Election, it’s the right time to step down as a councillor."[7]
In Parliament, Brash Chairs the All Party Parliamentary Groups on Swimming and Council Tax Reform.[8]
In June 2025, Brash joined over 120 fellow Labour MPs in signing a reasoned amendment to the Government's controversial welfare reform bill,[9] citing concerns that the bill would knowingly push many into poverty.[10] The government went on to abandon parts of the proposal as a result of the impending rebellion.[11]
On 9 May 2026, he called on Keir Starmer to resign following the 2026 United Kingdom local elections.[12]
He is a member of the Blue Labour caucus of Labour MPs.[13]
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