Catherine West MP - Australia

Catherine West MP

MP for Hornsey and Wood Green

Born in Victoria, Australia, I grew up in Sydney, but have been an MP since 2015. I particularly enjoy being an active member of the All-Party Rugby League Group.

From the joys of cricket to championing human rights and democracy, the Commonwealth promotes the richness of our shared experience. It also enables us to listen to Commonwealth countries with large youth populations who have a vision and desire to create a better future.

One fun fact is that the Speaker’s Chair is a gift from Australia – and rumour had it that it contained a commode. Before the Victorian rebuild of the Palace, the Speaker is said to have pulled a curtain round the chair, although parliamentary historians have never managed to verify this. According to them, the problem was a lack of deputies to allow him to leave the Chamber, even for a few minutes.