Ruth Ashley Charman Dalton is a British Labour Party politician and former community worker who has served as Member of Parliament (MP) for West Lancashire since the 2023 West Lancashire by-election, succeeding Rosie Cooper.
Early life, education and career
Ruth Ashley Charman Dalton (born 15 August) was raised in Leyland, South Ribble, in Lancashire. Her father worked on the factory floor at Leyland Motors, and later set up his own business as a nurseryman. She became aware of the Labour Party at the age of 14, when a customer ordered 40 red rose buttonholes for a by-election count from her father's florist's shop, and joined the party while at university.
She attended All Hallows Catholic High School in Penwortham (1983–1988) and Preston College (1989–1991), and obtained a BA in English and politics (1996) and a DipHE in professional development (voluntary sector) (1997) from Middlesex University.
Dalton worked for Southend-on-Sea Council for 17 years, and at the time of her selection she worked part-time for a Lancashire charity.
Political career
Dalton was Labour's candidate in Rochford and Southend East in the 2017 and 2019 general elections.
She was selected on 9 October 2022 as Labour's candidate in the West Lancashire by-election. The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Rosie Cooper. Dalton was elected MP with 14,068 votes (62.3%). In her victory speech, Dalton called for a general election.
Dalton took her oath of office on Monday 20 February. She signed an early day motion welcoming the investigation into the 2022 UEFA Champions League final chaos on the same day. She was a guest at the coronation of Charles III and Camilla.
Personal life
Dalton is a survivor of breast cancer. She is a parent and a carer. Her ex-husband died of kidney cancer.
She identifies as LGBT, and has called herself "a gay woman".
References
External links
Date of birth missing (living people) 21st-century English women politicians 21st-century English LGBT people Alumni of Middlesex University English lesbians English LGBT politicians Female members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for English constituencies LGBT members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom Labour Party (UK) MPs for English constituencies Lesbian politicians Living people Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for constituencies in Lancashire People from Leyland, Lancashire UK MPs 2019–present