Kim Leadbeater has been Labour MP for Batley and Spen since winning a closely-fought by-election on 1st July 2021. She was born and brought up in the constituency and went to Heckmondwike Grammar School. Kim graduated with a First Class degree in Health-Related Exercise and Fitness from Leeds Metropolitan University and went on to be a lecturer in Higher Education at Kirklees College and Bradford College. She later set up her own business as a personal trainer, wellbeing coach and group exercise instructor. Before her election to Parliament Kim was Ambassador for the Jo Cox Foundation, which was set up to continue the legacy of her sister, the former MP, who was murdered in the constituency in June 2016. Kim also chaired the ‘More In Common Batley and Spen’ volunteer group. In 2021 she was awarded an MBE for her services to social cohesion and combatting loneliness. At Westminster Kim has focused on issues around health and wellbeing, online safety and standards in public life. She chairs the APPGs on Sport, Running and Tidy Britain and co-chairs the APPG on Loneliness and Connected Communities.