24 Facts About Andrew Western

Andrew Howard Western was born on 18 March 1985 and is a British politician serving as Member of Parliament for Stretford and Urmston since 2022.

Andrew Howard Western was born at Wythenshawe Hospital, and grew up in Timperley, Trafford.

Andrew Western's mother Denise Western is a Labour councillor on Trafford Council.

Andrew Western has four sisters, and describes his upbringing as "modest", saying that "after my parents' divorce times were tough"; he has stated that his family benefited from Tax Credits, Child Tax Credits and the Education Maintenance Allowance.

Andrew Western attended Altrincham Grammar School for Boys, before studying History and Politics at Sheffield University, graduating in 2006.

Andrew Western returned to Trafford after university, and before becoming council leader worked in project management within the engineering sector, focusing particularly on transport infrastructure.

Andrew Western joined the Labour Party in 2006, holding various roles at a branch and constituency level over the following 10 years.

Andrew Western was first elected to Trafford Council at the 2011 local elections, representing Priory ward, which largely consists of Sale town centre.

Andrew Western was re-elected at both the 2015 and 2019 local government elections.

Andrew Western became Deputy Leader of the Labour Group on Trafford Council in May 2014, before becoming Labour Group Leader, and Leader of the Opposition, in November 2014.

Andrew Western was confirmed as Council Leader shortly after the elections.

Andrew Western led on Green City Region between 2019 and 2021, before leading on Digital, Works and Skills for the second half of that year.

Andrew Western sat on the Transport for the North Board, the Greater Manchester Transport Committee and the North West Regional Leaders Board.

In March 2019, Andrew Western publicly opposed the plans by Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham to make cuts to Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.

Andrew Western was an active member of the Local Government Association, and as Chair of the LGA's Resources Board was cross-party lead on finance in local government.

Andrew Western represented Labour councillors in North West England as the LGA Labour Group rep for the Region.

In June 2022, Andrew Western became Chair of the GM Transport Committee, a committee of councillors overseeing public transport in the City Region.

From July 2019 until March 2023, Andrew Western served as a non-executive director at Trafford Housing Trust.

Andrew Western was as a school governor at Wellfield Infant and Nursery School in Sale for over 15 years.

Andrew Western had twice sought election to Parliament before being elected, being the Labour candidate in Altrincham and Sale West at the 2017 and 2019 general elections.

On 26 June 2022, Andrew Western was selected to contest Stretford and Urmston after the upcoming retirement of incumbent Labour MP Kate Green at the next general election; Green resigned in November 2022, triggering a by-election, at which Andrew Western was the successful Labour candidate.

Andrew Western supported Yvette Cooper in the 2015 Labour leadership election.

Andrew Western endorsed Tony Lloyd in the 2016 Greater Manchester Labour Party mayoral selection.

Andrew Western lived with his mother until his early 30's, which he has said spurred his interesting in housing policy and the Yimby movement.