It’s hard to imagine the life of a city or any other settlement without politicians, as politics is essential for preserving and developing the socio-political structure. Politicians are public servants tasked with protecting the interests of their constituents. Today, we’ll discuss Richard Burgon, a politician from Leeds who served as Shadow Secretary of State for Justice and Shadow Lord Chancellor in Jeremy Corbyn’s Shadow Cabinet. Read more about the political career of this Leeds native on leedski.com.
Childhood and Education
Richard Burgon has Irish roots but spent his childhood in Leeds. He attended Cardinal Heenan Roman Catholic High School. Remarkably, Richard was the first in his family to attend university, studying English literature at St John’s College, Cambridge.
As a child, Richard learned about the 1984-1985 miners’ strike, an event that sparked his interest in politics. His aunt was a member of the “Women Against Pit Closures” movement, and her husband worked as a miner. From a young age, Richard held socialist views. In 2003, he participated in anti-war protests against the invasion of Iraq.
Political Career Development
Before entering politics, Burgon spent ten years specializing in employment law at Thompsons Solicitors in Leeds. His political journey began in 2004 when he ran for public office for the first time, standing as a Labour Party candidate for Wetherby in Leeds City Council elections. Despite not winning, he persevered and tried again in 2011 and 2012, narrowly missing victory on both occasions.
In 2015, Richard Burgon was elected Member of Parliament for Leeds East as a Labour Party representative. He was among the 10 Labour MPs calling for a new leader following Ed Miliband’s resignation and was one of 48 Labour MPs to vote against the Welfare Reform and Work Bill in 2015. Burgon explained his vote by prioritizing the needs of his Leeds East constituents.
Burgon supported Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership bid in 2015. Upon Corbyn’s victory, Burgon was appointed Shadow Economic Secretary to the Treasury. He was also an active member of the Socialist Campaign Group and secretary of parliamentary groups such as GMB and the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers’ Union.
In 2019, Burgon was re-elected in the general elections. A year later, he ran for Labour’s deputy leadership, finishing third. In 2024, he was re-elected again with the support of over 11,000 voters.
Political Activities
As Shadow Secretary of State for Justice and Shadow Lord Chancellor, Burgon strongly opposed privatization in the justice system. He expressed concerns about staff and funding cuts in prisons, warning that these reductions were creating dangerous conditions for both staff and inmates. Burgon advocated for increased investment in prisons, better equipment, and more personnel.
He also spoke out against cuts to legal aid, arguing that the lack of early legal advice negatively impacted the financial stability of ordinary citizens. According to Burgon, early legal intervention could resolve issues without resorting to court proceedings.
On foreign policy, Burgon opposed military interventions and bombings in Syria in 2015 and 2018. He also criticized Donald Trump’s policies and opposed Britain’s involvement in conflicts between the US and Iran.
In recognition of his political efforts, Richard Burgon was listed among the “100 Most Influential People on the Left” in 2017. However, in 2020, he was removed from the Shadow Cabinet following a change in Labour Party leadership.
Richard Burgon’s story is one of perseverance and dedication. Representing the interests of Leeds East, he has become a prominent voice in British politics. His commitment to social justice, workers’ rights, and anti-austerity measures has left a lasting impact on his constituents and beyond. We hope this article provided valuable insights into the life and career of Richard Burgon.