Lab took this seat from Con after 4 consecutive elections.
MP News Approval i
+68
Mike Reader
Labour PartyMike Reader is the Labour MP for Northampton South, and has been an MP continually since 4 July 2024.
A motion was put forward to exclude the public and press from the parliamentary chamber by holding the session in private. This was overwhelmingly rejected, keeping proceedings open and transparent.
A procedural vote on whether to allow New Clause 16 to be formally considered as part of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill at Report Stage, after proceedings had been interrupted on 13 June when an objection was raised. The debate excerpts do not reveal the substantive content of New Clause 16.
Vote on whether to add a provision to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill ensuring that if an independent doctor dies or becomes too ill to complete their assessment before signing off on an assisted dying request, a further referral can be made to another doctor — mirroring an existing provision in the Bill for the attending doctor.
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Sign up freeCoverage of Northampton South has been mixed for Mike across 40 recent articles.
Positive coverage
“This is the fight we're going to take now": Family of Northampton man Luke Abrahams call for national enquiry into sepsis deaths of young people” — Northampton Chronicle
Represented by Lab since 2024. Covers Northampton and Collingtree and Milton Malsor. Population 119,048.
Northampton Northgate School head Shez Webb retires from role
BBC · 11 Apr 2026
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Sign up freeMedian Income▼
£27,800
per year (HMRC 2022-23)
Mean Income▼
£35,700
per year (HMRC 2022-23)
Businesses▼
4,050
VAT/PAYE registered (ONS 2024)
Schools▼
37
27 primary, 2 secondary, 8 other
Total Income Tax▼
£315m
from 61,000 taxpayers
Median Tax▼
£2,800
per taxpayer / year
Mean Tax
£5,180
per taxpayer / year
Source: HMRC Survey of Personal Incomes, tax year 2022-23. Allocated by taxpayer residence. Covers income tax only — excludes NI, VAT, and capital gains. Sample-based estimate (~8% confidence interval).
Attainment 8▼
51.0
average score (DfE)
GCSE Pass Rate▼
76.0%
5+ GCSEs 9-4 (DfE)
1 city, 2 villages, rural areas — 106,658 total population
Source: ONS Built-Up Areas (Census 2021) + data.police.uk — crime rates are per 1,000 population (last 3 months)
Source: data.police.uk — street-level crime data aggregated from LSOA to constituency
22 councillors across 8 wards · Last elections: Feb 2024
| Ward | Party | Councillor | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billing Rectory Farm | Conservative and Unionist Party | James Hill | May 2021 |
| Labour Party | Keith Holland-Delamere | May 2021 | |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Paul Clark | May 2021 | |
| Delapre Rushmere | Labour Party | Emma Louise Roberts | May 2021 |
| Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Julie Anne Davenport | May 2021 | |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Raymond Connolly | May 2021 | |
| Duston East | Conservative and Unionist Party | Greg Lunn | May 2021 |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Nigel Leslie Hinch | May 2021 | |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Paul Stuart Dyball | May 2021 | |
| Duston West St Crispin | Conservative and Unionist Party | Anna King | May 2021 |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Jake Roberts | May 2021 | |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Matthew Golby | May 2021 | |
| East Hunsbury Shelfleys | Liberal Democrats | Carl Squires | Feb 2024 |
| Nene Valley | Conservative and Unionist Party | Jonathan Nunn | May 2021 |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Lizzy Bowen | May 2021 | |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Phil Larratt | May 2021 | |
| Riverside Park | Conservative and Unionist Party | Andy Kilbride | May 2021 |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Penny Flavell | May 2021 | |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Stephen Hibbert | May 2021 | |
| Sixfields | Conservative and Unionist Party | Brian Sargeant | May 2021 |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Imran Chowdhury | May 2021 | |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Nick Sturges-Alex | May 2021 |
Source: DCLEAPIL v1.0 by Jason Leman, LEAP (Andrew Teale) & Democracy Club. CC BY-SA 4.0. Data last refreshed: 1 Apr 2026.
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lab | 16,890 | 38.5% | |
Won 2019 GEWon 2017 GE | Con | 12,819 | 29.2% |
| Ref | 8,210 | 18.7% | |
| LD | 3,193 | 7.3% | |
| Green | 2,398 | 5.5% | |
| Ind | 296 | 0.7% | |
| Ind | 98 | 0.2% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2017 GE | Con | 20,914 | 51.2% |
| Lab | 16,217 | 39.7% | |
| LD | 2,482 | 6.1% | |
| Green | 1,222 | 3.0% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2019 GE | Con | 19,231 | 46.9% |
| Lab | 18,072 | 44.0% | |
| Ind | 1,630 | 4.0% | |
| LD | 1,405 | 3.4% | |
| Green | 696 | 1.7% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Con | 16,163 | 41.6% | |
| Lab | 12,370 | 31.8% | |
| Ind | 7,114 | 18.3% | |
| LD | 1,673 | 4.3% | |
| Green | 1,403 | 3.6% | |
| Ind | 161 | 0.4% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Con | 15,917 | 40.8% | |
| Lab | 9,913 | 25.4% | |
| LD | 7,579 | 19.4% | |
| Ind | 2,242 | 5.8% | |
| Ind | 1,897 | 4.9% | |
| Ind | 618 | 1.6% | |
| Green | 363 | 0.9% | |
| Ind | 325 | 0.8% | |
| Ind | 65 | 0.2% | |
| Ind | 59 | 0.1% |
Mike Reader has not appeared in national political news coverage tracked by our system. This is common for backbench MPs who focus on constituency-level work rather than national policy debates.
13 articles hidden as not sufficiently relevant to this constituency
Shez Webb, head of Northgate School in Northampton for 21 years, has retired after transforming the SEND school and creating specialist sixth form and vocational facilities. Webb was awarded an MBE in 2024 for her services to education.
Northampton Saints may play their Champions Cup semi-final at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes (rather than at home) if they win their quarter-final against Bath and face a lower-seeded French opponent. The article explains the competition's seeding rules that determine semi-final venues based on 'home country advantage' rather than home ground advantage.
A theatre review of 'Party Season,' a comedy play staged at the Royal & Derngate in Northampton as part of the Made in Northampton season. The production examines parenting pressures and social dynamics through three children's parties across one weekend, featuring strong ensemble performances.
The University of Northampton has formally committed to supporting care experienced young people through a comprehensive care leavers' pledge, addressing a significant gap where only 13-15% of care leavers attend university compared to 47% of their peers. The pledge, developed with Northamptonshire Children's Trust, aims to remove financial and practical barriers that have historically prevented this vulnerable group from accessing higher education.
Royal & Derngate in Northampton will host the world premiere of 'Once Upon a Time in Sokoto', a new play by award-winning writer Inua Ellams, from 28 September to 10 October as part of a new nationwide touring partnership called Touring Together that will bring high-quality theatre to regional audiences.
Residents of the historic Latimer & Crick Building on Cattle Market Road have submitted planning proposals to West Northamptonshire Council to transform an adjoining derelict former public toilet block, which has become a site of anti-social behaviour, drug use, and vandalism. The residents plan to restore the structure while creating a gated garden and improving public access to the riverside, aiming to enhance the heritage character of this gateway area into Northampton town centre.
Northampton has officially submitted a bid to become the UK's first Town of Culture in 2028, with the bid highlighting cultural assets including the Cultural Quarter, Delapre Abbey, and the Museum and Art Gallery. The winner will receive £3 million, with two runners-up receiving £250,000 each to support cultural programming.
Court round-up reporting 22 criminal sentences handed down at Northampton Crown Court in March 2026, covering offences ranging from sexual assault and drug trafficking to dangerous driving and burglary. The article lists convictions and sentences for defendants, predominantly from Northampton and the surrounding area.
A court reporting article listing 27 criminal cases heard in Northamptonshire magistrates' courts in March, including a prominent case of a 67-year-old Northampton man convicted of drink driving with nearly three times the legal alcohol limit. The article covers a range of offences from traffic violations and fraud to theft and sexual offences.
Schools across Northampton have formed a new steering group to address social media concerns and student safety challenges, bringing together headteachers, police, council safeguarding specialists, and civic partners. The initiative aims to develop coordinated approaches to digital citizenship education, family communication, and risk identification.
A nostalgic feature article about Disco Henry, a local photographer who has documented Northampton's nightlife since 2004, sharing memories of nights out from 2009 and reflecting on how the local club scene has changed over the years.
A 24-year-old man from Yardley Hastings appeared in Northampton Magistrates' Court charged with possessing extreme pornographic images involving animals. The case has been sent to Crown Court for trial, with the defendant released on bail subject to strict conditions regarding internet access.
Henry Pollock, a 21-year-old rugby union star from Northampton Saints, discusses his rapid rise in the sport after appearing for the British & Irish Lions and England. The article covers his recent Six Nations debut, his new promotional contract with Matchroom agency, and his views on becoming a role model for young players.
The Lewis Foundation, a charity founded in 2016 following a personal experience at Northampton General Hospital, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The organisation now delivers over 2,000 gift packs monthly to cancer patients across 17 Midlands hospitals and operates community facilities in Northampton town centre, having raised £1.2 million since launch.
The family of Luke Abrahams, a 20-year-old from East Hunsbury who died from sepsis at Northampton General Hospital in January 2023, is calling for a national enquiry into sepsis deaths and greater NHS accountability. The article highlights systemic failures in sepsis detection and treatment, with the family stating they have received support from their local MPs in pursuing this campaign.
Travis Perkins and Northampton Saints are launching a competition offering two £5,000 building materials prizes to grassroots rugby clubs across a six-county region including Northamptonshire. Winning clubs will also have junior teams train with Saints first-team players at Franklin's Gardens.
St Giles Cheese, a family-run delicatessen in Northampton town centre, faces mounting financial pressures from rising business rates, electricity costs, and doubled BID levies, forcing the owners to diversify income through side products. The article is part of the Chronicle & Echo's 'We Mean Business' campaign to spotlight independent businesses at risk of closure and encourage community and government support.
Little Learners Childcare in Cliftonville organised an Easter donation drive for children receiving care at Paddington Ward, Northampton General Hospital, delivering treats and gifts to brighten their stay. The initiative demonstrates local community spirit and support for vulnerable children during the holiday period.
Homelium Care Northampton, a local home care provider, is promoting the importance of companionship and emotional wellbeing for isolated residents, particularly as spring arrives. The article highlights how simple social interactions and companionship visits can significantly improve mental health and quality of life for vulnerable people in the area.
Padel Power, a new padel centre with nine courts, has opened at Kingsfield Business Park in Northampton. The facility aims to grow participation in the fast-growing sport, particularly among women, by creating dedicated leagues and planning to add childcare facilities.
A campaigner known as the 'Yellow Box Guru' has successfully appealed against a fine from Northampton's Victoria Gardens yellow hatched box enforcement camera, with an adjudicator ruling the markings illegal under 2016 traffic regulations. The council has collected over half a million pounds in fines since enforcement began in February 2024, and the campaigner is now calling for all motorists to be refunded.
A new indoor padel tennis centre called Padel Power has opened in Kings Heath, Northampton, offering nine padel courts, pickleball, and additional facilities. The venue has received positive customer feedback and plans to expand with a gym, Pilates studios, and partnerships with local schools and the University of Northampton.
Gator Fixings, a Northampton-based pipe fittings manufacturer operating from Brixworth, is expanding rapidly and transitioning leadership from founder Mike Freeman to his son Aaron Freeman. The business has grown into one of the UK's premier manufacturers in its field, with plans to expand operations and recruit more staff.
A 19-year-old man from Northampton has been jailed for five years after being convicted of rape and sexual assault against a woman in August 2025. The case highlights Northamptonshire Police's commitment to tackling sexual offences, with the victim's bravery in reporting and testifying leading to the conviction.
The Grade II listed Old Black Lion, Northampton's oldest pub dating to the 16th century, has completed a £3.5m renovation but remains closed since 2018 as operators search for a suitable manager. The project, funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund and other sources, was delayed after brewery Phipps withdrew, but West Northamptonshire Council and the Churches Conservation Trust are committed to reopening it as part of town centre revival efforts.
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