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{{Short description|British politician (born 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 =
| honorific_prefix = [[Councillor]]
| name = Sam Carling
| name = Sam Carling
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|MP}}
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|MP}}
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| office2 = Member of [[Cambridge City Council]]<br />for West Chesterton
| office2 = Member of [[Cambridge City Council]]<br />for West Chesterton
| term_start2 = 9 May 2022
| term_start2 = 9 May 2022
| term_end2 = 18 July 2024
| term_end2 =
| birth_name = Samuel Carling
| birth_name = Samuel Carling
| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|2002}}
| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|2002|04}}
| birth_place = [[County Durham]], England
| birth_place = [[County Durham]], England
| party = [[Labour (UK)|Labour]]
| party = [[Labour (UK)|Labour]]
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}}
}}


'''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=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> Carling has represented the ward of [[Chesterton, Cambridge|West Chesterton]] on [[Cambridge City Council]] since 2022.<ref name="Varsity" />
'''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" />


== Early life and education ==
== Early life and education ==
Samuel Carling<ref>{{London Gazette |date=22 July 2024 |issue=64465 |page=14080}}</ref> 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" />
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 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=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]].<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> 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=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> which developed at university into inspiring 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=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" />
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" />


Aged 18, Carling then went up to read [[natural sciences]] at [[Christ's College, Cambridge|Christ's College]],<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=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> Carling served as president of [[Cambridge Students' Union]] 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=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>
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. Carling remains a student in the Department of Pathology as a [[biomedical]] researcher.<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><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>
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 ==
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=2024-08-04 |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>
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>
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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 [[List of MPs elected in the 2024 United Kingdom general election|youngest 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=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> 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> 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>


===House of Commons===
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== Personal life ==
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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 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=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>


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>
A resident of [[Cambridge]], Carling is an [[Livery company|apprentice member]] of the [[Salters' Company]].<ref>[https://salters.co.uk/membership/ www.salters.co.uk]</ref>


⚫
== Personal life ==
⚫
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>
== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
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[[Category:Councillors in Cambridgeshire]]
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[[Category:English LGBT politicians]]
[[Category:English LGBTQ politicians]]
[[Category:Labour Party (UK) councillors]]
[[Category:Labour Party (UK) councillors]]
[[Category:Labour Party (UK) MPs for English constituencies]]
[[Category:Labour Party (UK) MPs for English constituencies]]
[[Category:LGBT members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:LGBTQ members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:People educated at Barnard Castle School]]
[[Category:People educated at Barnard Castle School]]
[[Category:People from Bishop Auckland]]
[[Category:People from Bishop Auckland]]

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]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sam Carling.
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament
for North West Cambridgeshire
2024–present 		Incumbent
Honorary titles
Preceded by Baby of the House
2024–present 		Incumbent
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