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{{Short description|British politician (born April 2002)}}
{{Short description|British politician (born 2002)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix = [[Councillor]]
| name = Sam Carling
| name = Sam Carling
⚫
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|MP}}
| image = Sam Carling 2024 Official Portrait cropped.jpg
| image = Sam Carling 2024 Official Portrait cropped.jpg
| caption = Official portrait, 2024
| caption = Official portrait, 2024
| parliament = United Kingdom
⚫
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|MP}}
| office = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]]<br />for [[North West Cambridgeshire (UK Parliament constituency)|North West Cambridgeshire]]
| constituency_MP = [[North West Cambridgeshire (UK Parliament constituency)|North West Cambridgeshire]]
⚫
| predecessor = [[Shailesh Vara]]
| term_start = 4 July 2024
| term_start = 4 July 2024
| majority = 39
| term_end =
⚫
| predecessor = [[Shailesh Vara]]
| successor =
| majority = 39 (0.1%)
| office2 = Member of [[Cambridge City Council]]<br />for West Chesterton
| office2 = Member of [[Cambridge City Council]]<br />for West Chesterton
| term_start2 = 5 May 2022
| term_start2 = 9 May 2022
| term_end2 = 18 July 2024
| term_end2 =
| predecessor2 =
| birth_name = Samuel Carling
| successor2 =
| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|2002|04}}
| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|2002}}
| birth_place = [[County Durham]], England
| birth_place = [[County Durham]], England
| party = [[Labour (UK)|Labour]]
| party = [[Labour (UK)|Labour]]
⚫
| alma_mater = [[Christ's College, Cambridge]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])
| website = {{URL|https://samcarling.org}}
| website = {{URL|https://samcarling.org}}
⚫
| education = [[Christ's College, Cambridge]] ([[B. A.|BA]])
}}
}}


'''Samuel Carling'''<ref>{{Cite Hansard |title=Members Sworn |jurisdiction=Parliament of the United Kingdom |house=House of Commons |date=10 July 2024 |volume=752 |url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2024-07-10/debates/3D219687-E412-4D22-890A-AA2887A23F99/MembersSworn}}</ref> (born 2002) is a British politician who has served as the [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) for [[North West Cambridgeshire (UK Parliament constituency)|North West Cambridgeshire]] since [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024]], becoming the [[Baby of the House|youngest MP]] and the first MP to be born in the 21st century.<ref name=":0" /> As the youngest-elected member of parliament, he is the [[Baby of the House]].<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Tyzack |first=Anna |date=2024-07-10 |title=‘I grew stubble to make myself look older’: Meet the disconcertingly young professionals |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/07/10/sam-carling-mp-young-professionals-babyface/ |access-date=2024-08-03 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref>
'''Samuel Carling''' (born 2002) is a British politician who has served as [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) for [[North West Cambridgeshire (UK Parliament constituency)|North West Cambridgeshire]] since 2024. He is the first British parliamentarian to be born in the 21st century.<ref name=":0" /> By convention, as the youngest member of Parliament, he is accorded the honorary [[Style (form of address)|style]] of [[Baby of the House]].<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Tyzack |first=Anna |date=10 July 2024 |title='I grew stubble to make myself look older': Meet the disconcertingly young professionals |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/07/10/sam-carling-mp-young-professionals-babyface/ |access-date=3 August 2024 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref> Carling has represented the ward of [[Chesterton, Cambridge|West Chesterton]] on [[Cambridge City Council]] since 2022.<ref name="Varsity" />

A member of the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]], Carling is the joint-youngest MP of the party in modern history, tied with [[Malcolm Macmillan]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Shirreff |first=Lauren |date=2024-07-05 |title=OMG, I just got elected! Meet Britain’s youngest MP |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/07/05/sam-carling-britains-youngest-mp-north-west-cambridgeshire/ |access-date=2024-08-03 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref> From 2022 to 2024, Carling also represented [[Chesterton, Cambridge|West Chesterton]] on [[Cambridge City Council]].<ref name="Varsity" />


== Early life and education ==
== Early life and education ==
Carling was born in 2002,<ref name="BBC">{{cite news |last1=Parry |first1=Louise |last2=Hulland |first2=Louise |date=6 July 2024 |title=Meet the new youngest MP – born in 2002 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c16jpl6707eo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706062051/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c16jpl6707eo |archive-date=6 July 2024 |access-date=6 July 2024 |work=[[BBC News]] |publisher=}}</ref> and was raised in [[Crook, County Durham|Crook]], [[County Durham]].<ref name=":3" /> He described himself as being from "a totally apolitical family, in quite a deprived part of the north east of England".<ref name=":2" /> In an interview with [[The Daily Telegraph|''The Daily Telegraph'']], he further explained that "we didn’t talk about politics, we were quite apolitical as a family, so it was never something I really considered".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shirreff |first=Lauren |date=2024-06-12 |title=‘Our generation has suffered incredible hardship’: Meet Labour’s Gen Z wannabe MPs |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/06/12/labour-mps-gen-z-general-election-2024/ |access-date=2024-08-03 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref>
Samuel Carling was born in 2002<ref name="BBC">{{cite news |last1=Parry |first1=Louise |last2=Hulland |first2=Louise |date=6 July 2024 |title=Meet the new youngest MP – born in 2002 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c16jpl6707eo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706062051/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c16jpl6707eo |archive-date=6 July 2024 |access-date=6 July 2024 |work=[[BBC News]] |publisher=}}</ref> and raised in [[Crook, County Durham]].<ref name=":3" /> He described his background as being from "a totally apolitical family, in quite a deprived part of the north east of England".<ref name=":2" />


Originally from [[Bishop Auckland]], Carling finished his [[GCSE]]<nowiki/>s at [[Wolsingham School]] before attending [[sixth form]] at [[Barnard Castle School]], an independent boarding school in [[County Durham]], on an academic scholarship.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Priestley |first=Catherine |date=2020-12-29 |title=Science student's work on nanotechnology used in cancer research wins top award |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/18971829.student-bishop-auckland-wins-salters-nuffield-prize/ |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=[[The Northern Echo]] |language=en}}</ref> He achieved five A* A-Level grades and an [[Extended Project Qualification|EPQ]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nicholls |first=Stuart |date=2021-01-12 |title=National Award Success for Sam! - Barnard Castle School |url=https://www.barnardcastleschool.org.uk/2021/01/12/national-award-success-for-sam/ |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=[[Barnard Castle School]] |language=en}}</ref> When some of his A-level exams were cancelled during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Carling described the experience as a politicising event,<ref>{{Cite web |last=James |first=Rhiannon |date=2024-07-24 |title=Youngest MP says Tory government’s response to pandemic ‘politicised’ him |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/covid-labour-government-parliament-b2585340.html |access-date=2024-08-04 |website=[[The Independent]] |language=en}}</ref> inspiring him to enter politics and run for office.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gordon-Farleigh |first=Neve |date=24 July 2024 |title=New MP says cancelled exams inspired him to get into politics |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4ng08w4365o |access-date=2024-08-04 |website=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB}}</ref>
Originally from [[Bishop Auckland]], Carling completed his [[GCSE]]s at [[Wolsingham School]] before attending [[sixth form]] at [[Barnard Castle School]], an [[Private schools in the United Kingdom|independent boarding school]] in [[County Durham]], with an academic scholarship.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Priestley |first=Catherine |date=29 December 2020 |title=Science student's work on nanotechnology used in cancer research wins top award |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/18971829.student-bishop-auckland-wins-salters-nuffield-prize/ |access-date=8 July 2024 |website=[[The Northern Echo]] |language=en}}</ref> He achieved five A* A-level grades and an [[Extended Project Qualification]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nicholls |first=Stuart |date=12 January 2021 |title=National Award Success for Sam! - Barnard Castle School |url=https://www.barnardcastleschool.org.uk/2021/01/12/national-award-success-for-sam/ |access-date=10 July 2024 |website=[[Barnard Castle School]] |language=en}}</ref> The cancellation of some A-level exams during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] sparked Carling's interest in politics,<ref>{{Cite web |last=James |first=Rhiannon |date=24 July 2024 |title=Youngest MP says Tory government's response to pandemic 'politicised' him |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/covid-labour-government-parliament-b2585340.html |access-date=4 August 2024 |website=[[The Independent]] |language=en}}</ref> which developed at university and inspired him to run for elected office.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gordon-Farleigh |first=Neve |date=24 July 2024 |title=New MP says cancelled exams inspired him to get into politics |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4ng08w4365o |access-date=4 August 2024 |website=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB}}</ref>


While at Barnard Castle School, Carling received the [[Salters' Institute of Industrial Chemistry|Salters–Nuffield Prize]]<ref>[https://saltersinstitute.org/programmes/our-alumni/ www.saltersinstitute.org]</ref> for "exceptional performance in biology" from the [[Worshipful Company of Salters]] with an essay entitled "Could carbon quantum dots have applications in bioimaging?"<ref name=":1" />
During his time as a student at Barnard Castle, Carling was recognised by the [[Salters' Institute of Industrial Chemistry|Salters' Institute]] with the Salters-Nuffield prize—awarded for his essay titled "Could carbon quantum dots have applications in bioimaging?"—in recognition of exceptional performance in biology.<ref name=":1" /> At age 18, Carling moved to Cambridge to study natural sciences at the [[University of Cambridge]].<ref name=":2" /> He was a member of [[Christ's College, Cambridge|Christ's College]], serving as president of its undergraduate [[Students' union|student union]] in addition to being co-chair of the [[Cambridge University Labour Club]], a staff writer for [[Varsity (Cambridge)|''Varsity'']],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carling |first=Sam |date=January 21, 2022 |title=When Cambridge SU fails, JCRs pick up the slack |url=https://www.varsity.co.uk/opinion/22798 |access-date=2024-08-04 |website=[[Varsity (Cambridge)|Varsity]] |language=en}}</ref> an officer of the [[Cambridge Union]] and a university councillor.<ref name="Varsity" />{{Refn|Carling won the contested position of University Councillor following a university election on 3 March 2022. With an 800 vote majority in the first round, Carling then was elected with 896 student votes after eliminating two other candidates.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ullah |first=Emaan |last2=Moss |first2=Bethan |date=3 March 2022 |title=Live: Cambridge SU election results |url=https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/23302 |access-date=2024-08-04 |website=[[Varsity (Cambridge)|Varsity]] |language=en}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}} In 2023, he graduated with [[first-class honours]] and became an undergraduate tutor.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baugh |first=Emma |date=July 6, 2024 |editor-last=Tisch |editor-first=Barbara |title=Sam Carling: The youngest MP |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cd10ene4n5rt?page=9 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803050659/https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cd10ene4n5rt?page=9 |archive-date=August 3, 2024 |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=[[BBC News]] |page=9 |language=en-GB}}</ref>


Carling was a Cambridge [[postgraduate student]] studying for a [[Master of Philosophy]] (MPhil) degree at the time of his election to the House of Commons.<ref name="Varsity">{{cite news |last=Vall |first=Wilf |date=5 July 2024 |title=Cambridge postgrad wins seat in Parliament |url=https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/27871 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240705232558/https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/27871 |archive-date=5 July 2024 |access-date=6 July 2024 |newspaper=[[Varsity (Cambridge)|Varsity]]}}</ref> As of July 2024, he remains a student in the Department of Pathology under Professor Anton Enright,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harriman |first=Livia |date=2024-07-09 |title=Sam Carling: Meet the new youngest MP and Pathology student |url=https://www.path.cam.ac.uk/news/sam-carling-meet-new-youngest-mp-and-pathology-student |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=Department of Pathology |publisher=[[University of Cambridge]] |language=en}}</ref> and is a [[biomedical]] researcher.<ref name="Meet2">{{cite news |last=Senior |first=Matthew |date=5 July 2024 |title=Meet Sam Carling the North West Cambridgeshire MP who is only 22 |url=https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/meet-sam-carling-north-west-29481290 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240705230748/https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/meet-sam-carling-north-west-29481290 |archive-date=5 July 2024 |access-date=6 July 2024 |website=Cambridgeshire Live}}</ref>
Aged 18, Carling then went to read [[natural sciences]] at [[Christ's College, Cambridge]],<ref name=":2" /> where he became actively involved in [[University of Cambridge|Cambridge University]] politics. A staff writer for [[Varsity (Cambridge)|''Varsity'']],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carling |first=Sam |date=21 January 2022 |title=When Cambridge SU fails, JCRs pick up the slack |url=https://www.varsity.co.uk/opinion/22798 |access-date=4 August 2024 |website=[[Varsity (Cambridge)|Varsity]] |language=en}}</ref> Carling served as president of [[Christ's College, Cambridge#Student life|Christ's College JCR]] and [[Chair (officer)|co-chairman]] of the [[Cambridge University Labour Club]], before being elected an [[Cambridge Union#Governance|Officer of the Cambridge Union]]<ref>[https://cus.org/whos-who www.cus.org]</ref> and then as a member of the [[Cambridge University Council]].<ref>[https://www.governance.cam.ac.uk/committees/council/Pages/members-listing.aspx www.governance.cam.ac.uk]</ref><ref name="Varsity" />{{Refn|Carling won the contested post of University Councillor following the Cambridge University election of 3 March 2022. With an 800-vote majority in the first round, Carling then was elected with 896 student votes after eliminating two other candidates.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ullah |first=Emaan |last2=Moss |first2=Bethan |date=3 March 2022 |title=Live: Cambridge SU election results |url=https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/23302 |access-date=4 August 2024 |website=[[Varsity (Cambridge)|Varsity]] |language=en}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}} In 2023, he graduated with [[first-class honours]] and became an undergraduate tutor.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baugh |first=Emma |date=6 July 2024 |editor-last=Tisch |editor-first=Barbara |title=Sam Carling: The youngest MP |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cd10ene4n5rt?page=9 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803050659/https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cd10ene4n5rt?page=9 |archive-date=3 August 2024 |access-date=3 August 2024 |website=[[BBC News]] |page=9 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

While studying for a [[Master of Philosophy]] (MPhil) [[postgraduate degree]] at Cambridge,<ref>[https://www.christs.cam.ac.uk/news/christs-postgraduate-elected-mp-north-west-cambridgeshire www.christs.cam.ac.uk]</ref> Carling was elected to [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament]] in 2024,<ref name="Varsity">{{cite news |last=Vall |first=Wilf |date=5 July 2024 |title=Cambridge postgrad wins seat in Parliament |url=https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/27871 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240705232558/https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/27871 |archive-date=5 July 2024 |access-date=6 July 2024 |newspaper=[[Varsity (Cambridge)|Varsity]]}}</ref> the academic year having only just ended.


== Political career ==
== Political career ==
Carling is a member of the Labour Party.<ref name=Varsity/> In 2022, while still a second-year undergraduate, he ran as a candidate for a seat on the [[Cambridge City Council]] to represent [[West Chesterton]]. On the [[2022 Cambridge City Council election|elections held on 5 May 2022]], Carling narrowly won a majority of 1,229 votes to eclipse the [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]] rival candidate, marking an increase in the council's Labour majority. Liberal Democrats lost three council seats and the [[Green Party of England and Wales]] gained one. Carling was the only Cambridge student to successfully seek a seat on the city council in years.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mumford |first=Peter |date=6 May 2022 |title=Cambridge student wins seat on City Council |url=https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/23671 |access-date=2024-08-04 |website=[[Varsity (Cambridge)|Varsity]] |language=en}}</ref>
In 2022, while still a second-year undergraduate, Carling ran on the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] slate for election to [[Cambridge City Council]] to represent the ward of [[West Chesterton]].<ref name=Varsity/> At the [[2022 Cambridge City Council election|local elections held on 5 May 2022]], Carling narrowly defeated incumbent [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]] councillor Jamie Dalzell,<ref>[https://www.thetimes.com/uk/article/passion-for-politics-brought-us-closer-lk97mdk6n www.thetimes.com]</ref> increasing Labour's majority on Cambridge City Council with the Liberal Democrats losing three seats and the [[Green Party of England and Wales|Greens]] gaining one. Carling became the first Cambridge student in memory to successfully contest a City Council seat.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mumford |first=Peter |date=6 May 2022 |title=Cambridge student wins seat on City Council |url=https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/23671 |access-date=4 August 2024 |website=[[Varsity (Cambridge)|Varsity]] |language=en}}</ref> He was re-elected at the [[2024 Cambridge City Council election]]. During his tenure, Carling held the office of Executive Councillor for Open Spaces and City Services,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Councillor Sam Carling |url=https://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=7210 |access-date=6 July 2024 |publisher=Cambridge City Council |archive-date=4 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240704022601/https://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=7210 |url-status=live }}</ref> and was a member of the Skills Committee of the [[Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority]] for two years. He was an advocate of improvements to adult education and transport throughout Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.<ref name="Meet">{{cite news |last=Senior |first=Matthew |date=5 July 2024 |title=Meet Sam Carling the North West Cambridgeshire MP who is only 22 |url=https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/meet-sam-carling-north-west-29481290 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240705230748/https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/meet-sam-carling-north-west-29481290 |archive-date=5 July 2024 |access-date=6 July 2024 |website=Cambridgeshire Live}}</ref>


Carling announced his intention to step down as a Cambridge city councillor as soon as a by-election could reasonably be held and, in the following week on 18 July, he resigned from the council's cabinet.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Briggs |first=Stephen |date=11 July 2024 |title=North West Cambridgeshire MP Sam Carling to stand down as Cambridge City Councillor after election win |url=https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/politics/north-west-cambridgeshire-mp-sam-carling-to-stand-down-as-cambridge-city-councillor-after-election-win-4698864 |archive-url= |access-date=4 August 2024 |work=[[Peterborough Telegraph]]}}</ref>
As council member, Carling had a self-described "strong record of action in West Chesterton" characterised by "efforts to end pollution in the River Cam" and "funding for a variety of local projects".<ref name="re" /> On 3 May 2024, Carling was re-elected to the Cambridge City Council during the [[2024 Cambridge City Council election]] with 208 votes over the candidate with the second-most votes. Other students from Cambridge who ran for election were unsuccessful.<ref name="re">{{cite news |last=Vall |first=Wilf |date=4 May 2024 |title=Cambridge postgrad re-elected as City councillor |url=https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/27536 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706155737/https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/27536 |archive-date=6 July 2024 |access-date=6 July 2024 |newspaper=[[Varsity (Cambridge)|Varsity]]}}</ref> During his tenure, Carling held the office of Executive Councillor for Open Spaces and City Services,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Councillor Sam Carling |url=https://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=7210 |access-date=6 July 2024 |publisher=Cambridge City Council |archive-date=4 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240704022601/https://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=7210 |url-status=live }}</ref> and was a member of the Skills Committee of the [[Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority]] for two years. He was an advocate of improvements to adult education and transport throughout Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.<ref name="Meet">{{cite news |last=Senior |first=Matthew |date=5 July 2024 |title=Meet Sam Carling the North West Cambridgeshire MP who is only 22 |url=https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/meet-sam-carling-north-west-29481290 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240705230748/https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/meet-sam-carling-north-west-29481290 |archive-date=5 July 2024 |access-date=6 July 2024 |website=Cambridgeshire Live}}</ref>


===House of Commons===
During the [[2024 United Kingdom general election|4 July 2024 United Kingdom general election]],<ref name="profile" /> Carling successfully contested the North West Cambridgeshire constituency for the Labour Party. Campaigning for better public services,<ref name="profile">{{cite news |last=Herring |first=Francesca |date=28 May 2024 |title=General Election: Labour North West Cambs candidate Cllr Sam Carling |url=https://www.huntspost.co.uk/news/24349557.general-election-labour-north-west-cambs-candidate-cllr-sam-carling/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706102313/https://www.huntspost.co.uk/news/24349557.general-election-labour-north-west-cambs-candidate-cllr-sam-carling/ |archive-date=6 July 2024 |access-date=6 July 2024 |newspaper=The Hunts Post}}</ref> he defeated incumbent [[Conservative Party (United Kingdom)|Conservative]] MP [[Shailesh Vara]] and was returned to parliament by a margin of 39 votes, verified by a recount.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Tom |last1=Burnett |first2=Cait |last2=Findlay |url=https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/live-north-west-cambridgeshire-general-29474272 |title=New Labour MP for North West Cambridgeshire elected in 'political earthquake' |website=Cambridgeshire Live |date=5 July 2024 |access-date=6 July 2024 |archive-date=6 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706102316/https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/live-north-west-cambridgeshire-general-29474272 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Orla Moore |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cervgm1kyxxo |title=Labour wins Peterborough and NW Cambridgeshire |publisher=BBC News |date=5 July 2024 |access-date=6 July 2024 |archive-date=6 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706102313/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cervgm1kyxxo |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Legislative seat|seat]] had been held by the Conservatives since its creation in 1997.<ref name="drama">{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Ben |date=5 July 2024 |title=North West Cambridgeshire elects Britain's youngest MP on night of high drama |url=https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/politics/north-west-cambridgeshire-elects-britains-youngest-mp-on-night-of-high-drama-4691866 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240705090631/https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/politics/north-west-cambridgeshire-elects-britains-youngest-mp-on-night-of-high-drama-4691866 |archive-date=5 July 2024 |newspaper=[[Peterborough Telegraph]]}}</ref> Elected aged 22, Carling is the youngest Member to enter the [[House of Commons|Commons]] in 2024, the new [[Baby of the House]],<ref name=BBC/><ref name=drama/> and the first elected parliamentarian born in the 21st century.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Boyle |first=Cash |date=6 July 2024 |title=Labour's Sam Carling, 22, is first MP to be born in 21st century |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jul/06/labour-sam-carling-22-first-mp-born-in-21st-century |access-date=6 July 2024 |newspaper=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> On 11 July 2024, he announced that he would step down from the Cambridge City Council following his electoral victory and left the office on July 18.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Briggs |first=Stephen |date=11 July 2024 |title=North West Cambridgeshire MP Sam Carling to stand down as Cambridge City Councillor after election win |url=https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/politics/north-west-cambridgeshire-mp-sam-carling-to-stand-down-as-cambridge-city-councillor-after-election-win-4698864 |archive-url= |access-date=4 August 2024 |work=[[Peterborough Telegraph]]}}</ref> On 24 July 2024, Carling made his [[maiden speech]] in the [[House of Commons]] during a debate on education and opportunity.<ref name="maiden">{{cite Hansard |jurisdiction= United Kingdom |title= Education and Opportunity |url= https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2024-07-24/debates/6313FBF9-78FD-46A8-99C4-3E7CE4E0508F/EducationAndOpportunity#contribution-7347D8F0-FFC9-4CF6-8994-F3B01571A96D |house= House of Commons |date= 24 July 2024 |volume= 752 |column_start= 756 |column_end= 758 |speaker= Sam Carling |position=}}</ref>
At the [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024 general election]],<ref name="profile" /> Carling successfully contested the [[UK Parliament constituency|constituency]] of [[North West Cambridgeshire (UK Parliament constituency)|North West Cambridgeshire]] for the Labour Party. Campaigning for better public services,<ref name="profile">{{cite news |last=Herring |first=Francesca |date=28 May 2024 |title=General Election: Labour North West Cambs candidate Cllr Sam Carling |url=https://www.huntspost.co.uk/news/24349557.general-election-labour-north-west-cambs-candidate-cllr-sam-carling/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706102313/https://www.huntspost.co.uk/news/24349557.general-election-labour-north-west-cambs-candidate-cllr-sam-carling/ |archive-date=6 July 2024 |access-date=6 July 2024 |newspaper=The Hunts Post}}</ref> he defeated incumbent [[Conservative Party (United Kingdom)|Conservative]] MP [[Shailesh Vara]] being returned to Parliament by a narrow margin of 39 votes, verified by a recount.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Tom |last1=Burnett |first2=Cait |last2=Findlay |url=https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/live-north-west-cambridgeshire-general-29474272 |title=New Labour MP for North West Cambridgeshire elected in 'political earthquake' |website=Cambridgeshire Live |date=5 July 2024 |access-date=6 July 2024 |archive-date=6 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706102316/https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/live-north-west-cambridgeshire-general-29474272 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Orla Moore |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cervgm1kyxxo |title=Labour wins Peterborough and NW Cambridgeshire |publisher=BBC News |date=5 July 2024 |access-date=6 July 2024 |archive-date=6 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706102313/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cervgm1kyxxo |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Legislative seat|seat]] had been held by the Conservatives since its creation in 1997.<ref name="drama">{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Ben |date=5 July 2024 |title=North West Cambridgeshire elects Britain's youngest MP on night of high drama |url=https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/politics/north-west-cambridgeshire-elects-britains-youngest-mp-on-night-of-high-drama-4691866 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240705090631/https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/politics/north-west-cambridgeshire-elects-britains-youngest-mp-on-night-of-high-drama-4691866 |archive-date=5 July 2024 |newspaper=[[Peterborough Telegraph]]}}</ref> At the age of 22, he was the youngest [[List of MPs elected in the 2024 United Kingdom general election|MP elected at the 2024 election]] and became [[Baby of the House]].<ref name=BBC/><ref name=drama/> Carling is the first British MP to be born in the 21st century.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Boyle |first=Cash |date=6 July 2024 |title=Labour's Sam Carling, 22, is first MP to be born in 21st century |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jul/06/labour-sam-carling-22-first-mp-born-in-21st-century |access-date=6 July 2024 |newspaper=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> He is the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]]'s joint-youngest MP, tied with [[Malcolm Macmillan]], who was elected at the same age in 1935.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Shirreff |first=Lauren |date=5 July 2024 |title=OMG, I just got elected! Meet Britain's youngest MP |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/07/05/sam-carling-britains-youngest-mp-north-west-cambridgeshire/ |access-date=3 August 2024 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref> On 24 July 2024, Carling made his [[maiden speech]] in a debate on education and opportunity.<ref name="maiden">{{cite Hansard |jurisdiction= United Kingdom |title= Education and Opportunity |url= https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2024-07-24/debates/6313FBF9-78FD-46A8-99C4-3E7CE4E0508F/EducationAndOpportunity#contribution-7347D8F0-FFC9-4CF6-8994-F3B01571A96D |house= House of Commons |date= 24 July 2024 |volume= 752 |column_start= 756 |column_end= 758 |speaker= Sam Carling |position=}}</ref>

In November 2024, Carling voted in favour of the [[Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill]], which proposes to legalise [[Assisted suicide in the United Kingdom|assisted dying]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Second Reading |url=https://votes.parliament.uk/votes/commons/division/1877 |website=Votes in Parliament |date=29 November 2024}}</ref>


== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==
In an interview with [[The Times|''The Times'']], Carling described himself "to be in the [[LGBT]] community".<ref name=":3" /> He also stated that "I don’t see any reason why I won’t re-stand. But I’m 22, and I don’t intend to be in the House of Commons for 40 years. I will come out and do something else eventually".<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Roberts |first=Georgina |last2=Perlman |first2=Elisabeth |date=2024-08-05 |title=Order! Gen Z’s in the House — meet the twentysomething MPs |url=https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/celebrity/article/interview-generation-z-mps-politics-prfn6dbc7 |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=[[The Times]] |language=en}}</ref>
Carling is an [[Livery company|apprentice member]] of the [[Salters' Company]].<ref>[https://saltersinstitute.org/about-us/ www.saltersinstitute.org]</ref> In an interview with ''[[The Times]]'', Carling described himself as a member of the [[LGBT]] community.<ref name=":3" /> He further stated: "I don't see any reason why I won't re-stand. But I'm 22, and I don't intend to be in the House of Commons for 40 years. I will come out and do something else eventually."<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Roberts |first=Georgina |last2=Perlman |first2=Elisabeth |date=5 August 2024 |title=Order! Gen Z's in the House — meet the twentysomething MPs |url=https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/celebrity/article/interview-generation-z-mps-politics-prfn6dbc7 |access-date=5 August 2024 |website=[[The Times]] |language=en}}</ref>
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== References ==
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{{reflist}}


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

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== References ==
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{{reflist}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
*{{Official website|https://www.samcarling.org/ }}{{UK MP links
*{{Official website|https://www.samcarling.org/}}
*{{UK MP links
| parliament =5308
| parliament =5308
| publicwhip =
| publicwhip =
| theywork =26558/sam_carling
| theywork =26558/sam_carling
}}
}}
* [https://www.path.cam.ac.uk/directory/sam-carling Page] at Cambridge University Department of Pathology
* [https://www.path.cam.ac.uk/directory/sam-carling Department of Pathology page] at [[Cambridge University]]
* [https://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=7210 Councillor Sam Carling] at Cambridge City Council
* [https://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=7210 Councillor Sam Carling] at [[Cambridge City Council]]
* [https://www.lgbt.mp/member/5308/ Profile] at lgbt.mp
* [https://www.lgbt.mp/member/5308/ Profile] at www.lgbt.mp

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[[Category:English LGBTQ politicians]]
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Revision as of 15:41, 2 December 2024

Councillor
Sam Carling
MP
Official portrait, 2024
Member of Parliament
for North West Cambridgeshire
Incumbent
Assumed office
4 July 2024
Preceded byShailesh Vara
Majority39 (0.1%)
Member of Cambridge City Council
for West Chesterton
Incumbent
Assumed office
9 May 2022
Personal details
Born
Samuel Carling

April 2002 (age 22)
County Durham, England
Political partyLabour
Alma materChrist's College, Cambridge (BA)
Websitesamcarling.org

Samuel Carling (born 2002) is a British politician who has served as Member of Parliament (MP) for North West Cambridgeshire since 2024. He is the first British parliamentarian to be born in the 21st century.[1] By convention, as the youngest member of Parliament, he is accorded the honorary style of Baby of the House.[2][3] Carling has represented the ward of West Chesterton on Cambridge City Council since 2022.[4]

Early life and education

Samuel Carling was born in 2002[5] and raised in Crook, County Durham.[6] He described his background as being from "a totally apolitical family, in quite a deprived part of the north east of England".[2]

Originally from Bishop Auckland, Carling completed his GCSEs at Wolsingham School before attending sixth form at Barnard Castle School, an independent boarding school in County Durham, with an academic scholarship.[7] He achieved five A* A-level grades and an Extended Project Qualification.[8] The cancellation of some A-level exams during the COVID-19 pandemic sparked Carling's interest in politics,[9] which developed at university and inspired him to run for elected office.[10]

While at Barnard Castle School, Carling received the Salters–Nuffield Prize[11] for "exceptional performance in biology" from the Worshipful Company of Salters with an essay entitled "Could carbon quantum dots have applications in bioimaging?"[7]

Aged 18, Carling then went to read natural sciences at Christ's College, Cambridge,[2] where he became actively involved in Cambridge University politics. A staff writer for Varsity,[12] Carling served as president of Christ's College JCR and co-chairman of the Cambridge University Labour Club, before being elected an Officer of the Cambridge Union[13] and then as a member of the Cambridge University Council.[14][4][a] In 2023, he graduated with first-class honours and became an undergraduate tutor.[16]

While studying for a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) postgraduate degree at Cambridge,[17] Carling was elected to Parliament in 2024,[4] the academic year having only just ended.

Political career

In 2022, while still a second-year undergraduate, Carling ran on the Labour slate for election to Cambridge City Council to represent the ward of West Chesterton.[4] At the local elections held on 5 May 2022, Carling narrowly defeated incumbent Liberal Democrat councillor Jamie Dalzell,[18] increasing Labour's majority on Cambridge City Council with the Liberal Democrats losing three seats and the Greens gaining one. Carling became the first Cambridge student in memory to successfully contest a City Council seat.[19] He was re-elected at the 2024 Cambridge City Council election. During his tenure, Carling held the office of Executive Councillor for Open Spaces and City Services,[20] and was a member of the Skills Committee of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority for two years. He was an advocate of improvements to adult education and transport throughout Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.[21]

Carling announced his intention to step down as a Cambridge city councillor as soon as a by-election could reasonably be held and, in the following week on 18 July, he resigned from the council's cabinet.[22]

House of Commons

At the 2024 general election,[23] Carling successfully contested the constituency of North West Cambridgeshire for the Labour Party. Campaigning for better public services,[23] he defeated incumbent Conservative MP Shailesh Vara being returned to Parliament by a narrow margin of 39 votes, verified by a recount.[24][25] The seat had been held by the Conservatives since its creation in 1997.[26] At the age of 22, he was the youngest MP elected at the 2024 election and became Baby of the House.[5][26] Carling is the first British MP to be born in the 21st century.[1] He is the Labour Party's joint-youngest MP, tied with Malcolm Macmillan, who was elected at the same age in 1935.[2] On 24 July 2024, Carling made his maiden speech in a debate on education and opportunity.[27]

In November 2024, Carling voted in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which proposes to legalise assisted dying.[28]

Personal life

Carling is an apprentice member of the Salters' Company.[29] In an interview with The Times, Carling described himself as a member of the LGBT community.[6] He further stated: "I don't see any reason why I won't re-stand. But I'm 22, and I don't intend to be in the House of Commons for 40 years. I will come out and do something else eventually."[6]

References

  1. ^ a b Boyle, Cash (6 July 2024). "Labour's Sam Carling, 22, is first MP to be born in 21st century". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d Shirreff, Lauren (5 July 2024). "OMG, I just got elected! Meet Britain's youngest MP". The Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  3. ^ Tyzack, Anna (10 July 2024). "'I grew stubble to make myself look older': Meet the disconcertingly young professionals". The Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d Vall, Wilf (5 July 2024). "Cambridge postgrad wins seat in Parliament". Varsity. Archived from the original on 5 July 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  5. ^ a b Parry, Louise; Hulland, Louise (6 July 2024). "Meet the new youngest MP – born in 2002". BBC News. Archived from the original on 6 July 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  6. ^ a b c Roberts, Georgina; Perlman, Elisabeth (5 August 2024). "Order! Gen Z's in the House — meet the twentysomething MPs". The Times. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  7. ^ a b Priestley, Catherine (29 December 2020). "Science student's work on nanotechnology used in cancer research wins top award". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  8. ^ Nicholls, Stuart (12 January 2021). "National Award Success for Sam! - Barnard Castle School". Barnard Castle School. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  9. ^ James, Rhiannon (24 July 2024). "Youngest MP says Tory government's response to pandemic 'politicised' him". The Independent. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  10. ^ Gordon-Farleigh, Neve (24 July 2024). "New MP says cancelled exams inspired him to get into politics". BBC News. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  11. ^ www.saltersinstitute.org
  12. ^ Carling, Sam (21 January 2022). "When Cambridge SU fails, JCRs pick up the slack". Varsity. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  13. ^ www.cus.org
  14. ^ www.governance.cam.ac.uk
  15. ^ Ullah, Emaan; Moss, Bethan (3 March 2022). "Live: Cambridge SU election results". Varsity. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  16. ^ Baugh, Emma (6 July 2024). Tisch, Barbara (ed.). "Sam Carling: The youngest MP". BBC News. p. 9. Archived from the original on 3 August 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  17. ^ www.christs.cam.ac.uk
  18. ^ www.thetimes.com
  19. ^ Mumford, Peter (6 May 2022). "Cambridge student wins seat on City Council". Varsity. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  20. ^ "Councillor Sam Carling". Cambridge City Council. Archived from the original on 4 July 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  21. ^ Senior, Matthew (5 July 2024). "Meet Sam Carling the North West Cambridgeshire MP who is only 22". Cambridgeshire Live. Archived from the original on 5 July 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  22. ^ Briggs, Stephen (11 July 2024). "North West Cambridgeshire MP Sam Carling to stand down as Cambridge City Councillor after election win". Peterborough Telegraph. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  23. ^ a b Herring, Francesca (28 May 2024). "General Election: Labour North West Cambs candidate Cllr Sam Carling". The Hunts Post. Archived from the original on 6 July 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  24. ^ Burnett, Tom; Findlay, Cait (5 July 2024). "New Labour MP for North West Cambridgeshire elected in 'political earthquake'". Cambridgeshire Live. Archived from the original on 6 July 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  25. ^ Orla Moore (5 July 2024). "Labour wins Peterborough and NW Cambridgeshire". BBC News. Archived from the original on 6 July 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  26. ^ a b Jones, Ben (5 July 2024). "North West Cambridgeshire elects Britain's youngest MP on night of high drama". Peterborough Telegraph. Archived from the original on 5 July 2024.
  27. ^ Sam Carling (24 July 2024). "Education and Opportunity". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Vol. 752. United Kingdom: House of Commons. col. 756–758.
  28. ^ "Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Second Reading". Votes in Parliament. 29 November 2024.
  29. ^ www.saltersinstitute.org

Notes

  1. ^ Carling won the contested post of University Councillor following the Cambridge University election of 3 March 2022. With an 800-vote majority in the first round, Carling then was elected with 896 student votes after eliminating two other candidates.[15]
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