The Westminster lensMP · Labour and Co-operative Party · Sitting since 8 Jun 2017

Alex Sobel.

Labour and Co-operative Party MP for Leeds Central and Headingley.

Commons votes
337/521
65% attendance · top 70% of MPs
Party alignment
33%
on whipped divisions
Speeches
190
across 139 debates · 39,587 words
Written Qs
228
221 answered · 7 pending
Dispatch
31 May 2026

Labour and Co-operative Party MP in Labour Party-controlled territory.

Alex Sobel is the Labour (Co-op) MP for Leeds Central and Headingley, and has been an MP continually since 8 June 2017.

§ 01Voting record.337 divisions · most recent 23 Mar 2026

By issue — what do they vote on most?

Top eight by total divisions voted, this parliament. Volume measures engagement, not direction — see Notable Votes for free-vote moments and rebellions.

Taxation73
Economy57
Employment37
Crime & Policing30
Education29
Welfare and Benefits22
Housing22
Constitution and Democracy19

Source · The Public Whip · Hansard

Notable votes — free votes & rebellions.

Moments where the whip was free, or where Sobel broke ranks. Free votes are the truer signal of personal stance.

DateBill / motionVoteWhip
9 Jul 2025Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill Committee: Amendment 38Yes
vs party
9 Jul 2025Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill Committee: New Clause 8Yes
vs party
13 Jun 2025Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: New Clause 1Yes
Freevs party
§ 02Speeches.190 contributions · 139 debates · 39,587 words

Words spoken, by topic.

Defence15,329
Economy & Jobs14,538
Culture Community11,061
Social Care7,624
Local Government6,880
Crime6,365
Health4,974
Ind avg / MP All-MP avgper topic, words per MP

Source · Hansard

Recent contributions.

20 May

Processed Russian Oil Products: Sanctions

Seeking urgent clarification on the timeline for phasing in new sanctions and whether there will be any gap in the regulatory regime, given the speed and communication issues.

78 words·Read
27 Apr

English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill

Backs agent of change principle for music venues to prevent legal harassment; supports statutory protection to avoid £50k+ defence costs for cultural venues threatened by residenti

580 words·Read
16 Apr

Grassroots Music Venues

Supports ending ticket touting as announced and seeks confirmation that legislation will be included in the King's Speech to protect gig goers from exploitation.

79 words·Read
29 Jan

Ukraine: Non-recognition of Russian-occupied Territories

Non-recognition of Russian-occupied territories is paramount to uphold international law, deter future aggression, and protect Ukrainian identity against Russification and atrociti

2,634 words·Read
Showing 4 of 190·All 190 speeches
§ 03Committees & roles.Select & joint committees
None recorded

Sobel holds no select-committee seat this session. New 2024-intake MPs typically wait one term before being appointed.

§ 04Written questions.228 tabled · 221 answered · 24 Jul 2024 → 29 May 2026

Top departments asked.

DepartmentQsShare
Department of Health and Social Care4318.9%
Home Office4118.0%
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office2812.3%
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero198.3%
Department for Culture, Media and Sport167.0%
Department for Work and Pensions156.6%
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs135.7%
Department for Education135.7%

Most recent.

29 May 2026·Department of Health and Social Care·Pending

In the context of the proposals to abolish Healthwatch, what steps he is taking to ensure that people feel safe providing feedback on the NHS or local authority services where that feedback is critical of the NHS or local authority services.

Awaiting answer.

29 May 2026·Treasury·Pending

How many individuals in Leeds Central and Headingley constituency have been notified by HMRC that they must repay their Winter Fuel Payment due to income exceeding the eligibility threshold.

Awaiting answer.

29 May 2026·Department of Health and Social Care·Pending

In the context of plans to abolish Healthwatch, what mechanisms will be put in place to ensure that patient feedback gathered by NHS bodies and local authorities is independently scrutinised.

Awaiting answer.

29 May 2026·Department of Health and Social Care·Pending

Whether guidance will be issued to Integrated Care Boards and local authorities on how to deliver independent and inclusive engagement with local communities.

Awaiting answer.

Showing 4 of 228·All 228 written questions
§ 05Register & expenses.10 declared interests · £333k claimed FY 24_25

Register of interests.

Leeds United FC
20 March 2026
BPI
28 February 2026
BPI
16 October 2025 to 16 October 2025
Knights Tailoring Ltd
2 July 2025 to 2 July 2025
World Forum
Name of donor: World Forum Address of donor: Reinhardtstr. 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany Estimate of the probable value (or amount of any donat…
Showing 5 of 10·All 10 register entries

Source · Members API · Last amended 14 Apr 2026

IPSA expenses.

Category£Share
Staffing236,90071.2%
Accommodation36,00710.8%
Office Costs33,69810.1%
Staff Travel17,3665.2%
MP Travel8,5962.6%
Total · 144 claims332,634100%
Showing 6 of 144·All 144 IPSA claims

Source · IPSA · FY 24_25

§ 06This week in Westminster.Order paper · refreshed daily

Nothing tabled for Sobel on the published Order Paper this week.

§ 07Electoral history.4 contests · 2015, 2024
YearConstituencyVotesShareResult
2024Leeds Central and Headingley15,85350.2%Won
2019Leeds North West23,97148.6%Won
2017Leeds North West20,41644.1%Won
2015Leeds North West13,04130.1%Lost

2024 — full result, Leeds Central and Headingley.

CandidateVotes%
Alex SobelWONLab15,85350.2

Showing the MP’s own row only. Full result table: see Leeds Central and Headingley

Sources, methods & last update
Method The dispatch paragraphs are AI-generated from the public sources listed below. Every figure links to its source. If we’re wrong, please tell us — corrections within 48 hours.
DivisionsHansard
The Public Whip
Updated 31 May 2026
SpeechesHansard · 39,587 words
23 Jul 2024 → 20 May 2026
Written QsMembers API
228 tabled · 221 answered
CommitteesCommittees API
None recorded
RegisterMembers API
10 entries
ExpensesIPSA
£332,634 · FY 24_25
Order paperUK Parliament
Refreshed daily
ElectionsElectoral Commission
DCLEAPIL