Miriam Cates

Miriam Cates
MP
Official portrait, 2019
Member of Parliament
for Penistone and Stocksbridge
Assumed office
12 December 2019
Preceded byAngela Smith
Majority7,210 (14.6%)
Personal details
Born
Miriam Joy Cates

(1982-08-23) 23 August 1982 (age 41)
Sheffield, England
Political partyConservative
Children3
Alma materUniversity of Cambridge
ProfessionPolitician, businesswoman, teacher
Websitemiriamcates.org.uk Edit this at Wikidata

Miriam Joy Cates (born 23 August 1982) is a British politician who has served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Penistone and Stocksbridge since the 2019 general election. She is a member of the Conservative Party. Before her parliamentary career, Cates was the finance director of a technology consultancy, a teacher, and a parish councillor.

Early life and education

Miriam Joy Cates was born on 23 August 1982 in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.[1][2][3] Cates grew up in a Christian family and has two younger brothers.[4] Her father is a retired general practitioner.[5][6] Cates reports an early interest in politics from the age of 11 which included listening to the Today programme on the radio.[7] She attended King Edward VII School,[8] before studying genetics at the University of Cambridge. After graduating, she obtained a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from Sheffield Hallam University, and worked as a science teacher at Tapton School in Sheffield.[9] She then became the finance director of the technology consultancy Redemption Media.[8] Cates co-owns the company with her husband.[10]

Political career

Local councillor

Cates was elected in 2015 as a parish councillor for Oughtibridge Ward on Bradfield Parish Council.[11] She was re-elected in 2019 and resigned her seat in 2021.[12][13] Cates stood as a Conservative candidate for Stannington ward in the 2018 Sheffield City Council election and joined the party in the same year.[14] She received 898 votes and finished third behind the Liberal Democrats candidates.[15]

Member of Parliament

Cates was selected as the Conservative candidate for Penistone and Stocksbridge on 24 October 2018.[16] She had previously supported the UK remaining a member of the European Union in the 2016 referendum but, during the election campaign, commented she had since changed her mind and supported Brexit.[3] Cates was elected as MP in the 2019 general election with a majority of 7,210 (14.5%) on a swing of 8.6% from Labour to the Conservatives.[17]

After her election, it was reported that a mobile app launched in 2014 by Redemption Media, a company co-owned by Cates and her husband, charged foodbanks for the services that it provided.[18] Cates commented on this by stating that the app had been developed for free, and that the first foodbank to use it had not been charged. After the app was expanded to other foodbanks, there was a set-up charge which was used to help cover development and training costs, and that by joining the app they also received a complimentary subscription to JustGiving.[19] The first client of the app was the S6 Foodbank based at St. Thomas' Church and run by Network Church Sheffield.[20] They piloted the app in 2012 before its national launch in 2014.[21][22] Cates and her family were members of St. Thomas' Church and she was the operations director of Network Church Sheffield from 2016 to 2018.[23][24]

Cates has been a member of the Ecclesiastical Committee since March 2020 and the Education Select Committee since October 2021.[25] She also co-chairs the Stocksbridge Towns Fund with local property developer Mark Dransfield.[26] She was elected to the 1922 Committee on 11 July 2022.[27]

Cates established the New Social Covenant Unit with fellow Conservative MP Danny Kruger in 2021 with the principal purpose of promoting policy that would "strengthen families, communities, and the nation".[28]

In June 2021, in an article for online magazine UnHerd, Cates criticised the focus on protecting the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic as in her opinion it only had a short-term impact on the "longevity of older people" and that emphasis should have been on "the long term impact of lockdowns on young peoples' lives".[29]

In October 2021, she wrote an article in The Daily Telegraph stating "If we erode the very concept of women – for example by saying that trans women are women, or by denying the importance of biological sex – we erase the rights of women."[30] When asked about the article in an interview for GB News, she said that she did not oppose trans women who had undergone sex reassignment therapy from having equivalent rights, but did oppose self-identification and the concept of gender fluidity as she claimed that these posed a danger to women.[31] In November 2021, during a parliamentary session, Cates warned schools against inviting leading LGBTQ rights charities Stonewall and Mermaids to provide counselling services as she claimed that they taught "dangerous and contested extreme ideologies that don't have a basis in science".[32]

Cates supported Suella Braverman in the July 2022 Conservative Party leadership election.[33] Liz Truss won the leadership contest and became Prime Minister, but resigned in October 2022. Cates endorsed Rishi Sunak in the subsequent October 2022 Conservative leadership election.[34]

In May 2023, at the National Conservatism Conference, Cates commented that she felt that Western society was threatened by Cultural Marxism and falling birthrates. Cates stated in an interview in June 2023 that she misuses the former term as a catch-all pseudonym for "bad liberal ideology".[6][35] In August 2023, Cates called for the UK to leave the European Convention on Human Rights as she felt that it was a threat to democracy.[36]

Miriam Cates speaking at ARC on restoring confidence in nations

In October 2023, at a fringe event of the Conservative Party Conference, Cates stated without evidence her belief that internet pornography was a factor in people becoming transgender, commenting "This is anecdotal, but you see an awful lot of trans women, so men, saying it was trans porn that led them into the trans arena".[37] She also said that an increase in the number of young children who are still wearing nappies when they start school was the fault of working mothers, since "[it] is increasingly impossible when our GDP-obsessed economic system demands that even mothers of small children leave their infants in daycare to return to the workplace" and modern parents were unwilling to greatly discomfort their children enough.[38] While experts in toilet training conceded that there were more children starting school in nappies, they said the causes were more far more complex than working mothers;[39] Charlotte Lytton noted in The Daily Telegraph that Cates seemed to have no concern for the effect of fathers' employment on children's toilet training.[40]

In the same month, she urged fellow Conservative MPs to sign a letter to voice opposition to a bill aiming to ban conversion therapy.[41] She returned to her concern with fertility rates, not only in Britain, but across the Western world in her address on restoring confidence in national identities, held later that month at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship.[40] Cates serves on the advisory board of the international organisation.[42]

Later in November, Cates defended Braverman when Braverman attracted fierce criticism for an op-ed that accused London's Metropolitan Police of being more lenient with left-wing pro-Palestine protesters than supporters of Israel. Braverman had been advised not to publish the op-ed, but did so anyway, costing her her cabinet position. Cates wrote: "Suella Braverman’s views may be distasteful to Westminster liberals but they're utterly mainstream in the rest of UK".[43]

As of December 2023, she is under investigation by the parliamentary commissioner for standards over claims she has caused "significant damage to the reputation" of the Commons and its members.[44]

Personal life

Cates lives in Oughtibridge,[9] a village near Stocksbridge in South Yorkshire, with her husband and three children.[16] She is an evangelical Christian and met her husband while working on a voluntary project at their church in Sheffield.[6][23][45][46] Her husband Dave is the managing director of software company Redemption Media, and is the chair of the trust board overseeing the Peak Edge Academy Trust.[47]

References

  1. ^ "Members Sworn". parliament.uk. 18 December 2019. Archived from the original on 19 December 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  2. ^ Brunskill, Ian (19 March 2020). The Times guide to the House of Commons 2019 : the definitive record of Britain's historic 2019 General Election. p. 298. ISBN 978-0-00-839258-1. OCLC 1129682574. Archived from the original on 9 November 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  3. ^ a b Burn, Chris (28 November 2019). "Conservatives on course for first South Yorkshire victory since 1992 in wake of 'chicken run' MP". Yorkshire Post. Archived from the original on 1 December 2019.
  4. ^ "Miriam Cates on conservatism, embracing complexity and the importance of family". Theos. 18 August 2021. Event occurs at 04:00. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  5. ^ "Miriam Cates on conservatism, embracing complexity and the importance of family". Theos. 18 August 2021. Event occurs at 06:25. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  6. ^ a b c Turner, Janice (29 June 2023). "Is Miriam Cates a mainstream Tory or a right-wing ideologue?". The Times.(subscription required)
  7. ^ "Miriam Cates on conservatism, embracing complexity and the importance of family". Theos. 18 August 2021. Event occurs at 07:00. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  8. ^ a b Bond, Daniel (16 December 2019). "Class of 2019: Meet the new MPs". Politics Home. Archived from the original on 16 December 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  9. ^ a b Cates, Miriam. "About". Miriam Cates. Archived from the original on 11 January 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  10. ^ "MP responds to Foodbank app claims". Look Local. 2 January 2020. Archived from the original on 6 July 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  11. ^ "Conservative Candidate Elected". Look Local. 19 December 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  12. ^ "Local Parish Election Results". Sheffield City Council. Archived from the original on 26 April 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  13. ^ "The Register of Members' Financial Interests As at 3 May 2022". UK Parliament. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  14. ^ The Real Me with Gloria De Piero and Miriam Cates. GB News. 25 October 2021. Event occurs at 00:40. Archived from the original on 14 November 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  15. ^ "Sheffield City Council Results" (PDF). Sheffield City Council. p. 24. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 June 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  16. ^ a b Hill, Henry (25 October 2018). "Miriam Cates selected for Penistone & Stocksbridge". ConservativeHome. Archived from the original on 17 January 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  17. ^ "Penistone & Stocksbridge". BBC News. Archived from the original on 14 June 2020. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  18. ^ Wyatt, Tim (14 December 2019). "Foodbank app run by newly elected Tory MP charges charities to use it". The Independent. Archived from the original on 15 May 2022.
  19. ^ Scott, Geraldine (16 December 2019). "New Yorkshire Tory MP hits back at claims she profits from foodbanks". Yorkshire Post. Archived from the original on 16 December 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  20. ^ "Sheffield S6 Foodbank". Sheffield S6 Foodbank. Archived from the original on 15 November 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  21. ^ "Foodbank App". Redemption Media. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  22. ^ Cates, Dave (29 July 2014). "How can you help your local foodbank? There's an app for that". JustGiving. Archived from the original on 15 November 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  23. ^ a b Following God into the neighbourhood. Network Church Sheffield. 25 February 2018. Event occurs at 01:10. Archived from the original on 14 November 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  24. ^ "The Philadelphia Network Limited". Charity Commission. p. 6. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  25. ^ "Parliamentary career for Miriam Cates". UK Parliament. Archived from the original on 15 November 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  26. ^ Walker, Peter; Duncan, Pamela; McIntyre, Niamh (16 July 2021). "Labour concerned over management of flagship levelling up scheme". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 15 November 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  27. ^ "Results of the 1922 Committee Elections". ConservativeHome. 11 July 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  28. ^ "About Us". New Social Covenant Unit. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  29. ^ Ashton, Lucy (18 June 2021). "Anger over Sheffield MP's 'offensive and insensitive' Covid and the elderly comment". Yorkshire Live. Archived from the original on 14 November 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  30. ^ "Conservative MP argues women 'are being cancelled' over trans debate". politics.co.uk. 11 October 2021. Archived from the original on 14 November 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  31. ^ The Real Me with Gloria De Piero and Miriam Cates. GB News. 25 October 2021. Event occurs at 14:45. Archived from the original on 14 November 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  32. ^ "MP condemns LGBT charities teaching 'dangerous and extreme ideologies' in schools". LBC. 9 November 2021. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  33. ^ Cates, Miriam (12 July 2022). "Suella Braverman is the anti-woke prime minister our children need". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  34. ^ "Miriam Cates backs Rishi Sunak for leader". Miriam Cates. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  35. ^ Walker, Peter; Crerar, Pippa (15 May 2023). "Low birthrate is UK's top priority, Tory MP tells rightwing conference". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  36. ^ Tolson, Jack (18 August 2023). "MP: Mass migration a 'serious security threat'". Barnsley Chronicle. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
  37. ^ Walker, Peter; Allegretti, Aubrey; Adu, Aletha (1 October 2023). "Little sign of Tory unity as factions jostle on first day of conference". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  38. ^ Martin, Daniel (30 October 2023). "Miriam Cates blames increase in working women for rise in children going to school in nappies". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  39. ^ Hinde, Natasha (1 November 2023). "Potty Training Experts Slam MP Who Blamed Working Mums For Kids Wearing Nappies In School". Yahoo!Finance. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  40. ^ a b Lytton, Charlotte J. (1 November 2023). "Miriam Cates is blaming the wrong people for our childcare crisis". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  41. ^ Billson, Chantelle (22 October 2023). "Government set to ditch conversion therapy ban after 'intense' lobbying by anti-trans MP". PinkNews.
  42. ^ "This global right-wing movement wants to save the world. It just needs a plan". POLITICO. 2 November 2023. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  43. ^ Webber, Jude; Gross, Anna; Fisher, Lucy; Parker, George (9 November 2023). "'She's toast': Suella Braverman dares Rishi Sunak with provocative rhetoric". Financial Times. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  44. ^ "Tory MP Miriam Cates under investigation by parliament's standards watchdog". Sky News. 18 December 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  45. ^ "Miriam Cates MP: we're obsessed with what we can measure". UnHerd. 2 February 2021.
  46. ^ "The Real Me with Gloria De Piero and Miriam Cates". GB News. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  47. ^ "Trustees". Peak Edge Academy Trust. Archived from the original on 15 November 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Miriam Cates.
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament
for Penistone and Stocksbridge
2019–present 		Incumbent