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Biography
Olivia Frances Blake (born 10 March 1990) is a British Labour politician. She was elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sheffield Hallam at the 2019 general election.
Early life
Blake grew up in Otley, a market town north of Leeds, West Yorkshire. She was educated at Prince Henry's Grammar School, the local comprehensive school. She studied Biomedical Science at the University of Sheffield.
Political career
Blake was elected as a local councillor to the Walkley ward of Sheffield City Council in 2014 and subsequently became Deputy Leader in April 2017. She supported a campaign to initiate a pilot scheme of universal basic income in Sheffield. Blake later resigned as Deputy Leader to support a grassroots movement to change the democratic structure of the council, remaining as a councillor. She later resigned from the Council following her election as an MP.
Blake was selected as the prospective Labour Party candidate in Sheffield Hallam and was elected as a Member of Parliament at the December 2019 general election. She nominated Rebecca Long-Bailey in the 2020 Labour Party leadership election.
Policy views
Olivia Blake supported the UK remaining in the European Union, saying in November 2019 that she would campaign to remain in a potential second referendum on the issue.
Blake is a supporter of a "Green New Deal" for the UK, and passionate about the issue of climate change.
A Vice article described Blake as "keen to make clear [her] support for trans rights and the entire LGBTQ+ community".
Electoral performance
| Date of election | Constituency | Party | Votes | % of votes | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 by-election | Fulwood, Sheffield | Labour | 1,035 | 19.5 | Not elected | |
| 2014 local elections | Walkley, Sheffield | Labour | 2,061 | 39.5 | Elected | |
| 2015 local elections | Walkley, Sheffield | Labour | 4,016 | 41.5 | Elected | |
| 2016 local elections | Walkley, Sheffield | Labour | 2,686 | 49.0 | Elected | |
Blake unsuccessfully stood in the 2 May 2013 by-election for the Fulwood ward of Sheffield City Council, receiving 1,035 votes (19.5%). She finished in second place behind Cliff Woodcraft of the Liberal Democrats, who received 2,563 votes (48.3%). Blake was elected in the 2014, 2015 and 2016 local elections for the ward of Walkley.
| Date of election | Constituency | Party | Votes | % of votes | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 general election | Sheffield Hallam | Labour | 19,709 | 34.6 | Elected | |
In the 2019 general election, Blake was elected for Sheffield Hallam with 19,709 votes (34.6%), a majority of 1.2%. In second and third place were Laura Gordon of the Liberal Democrats on 18,997 votes (33.4%) and Ian Walker of the Conservative Party on 14,696 votes (25.8%).
Personal life
Blake's mother Judith Blake is a Labour politician who has led the Leeds City Council since 2015.
Blake is married to Lewis Dagnall, a fellow Sheffield City Councillor.
Blake self isolated over having symptoms of Coronavirus disease 2019 during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic in the United Kingdom.