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Steve Race (politician)

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Stephen Race[2] (born 1983) is a British politician who has served as Member of Parliament for Exeter for the Labour Party since 2024.[3]

Stephen Race[1]
MP
Official portrait, 2024
Member of Parliament
for Exeter
Incumbent
Assumed office
4 July 2024
Preceded byBen Bradshaw
Majority11,937 (29.7%)
Member of Hackney London Borough Council for Hoxton East and Shoreditch
In office
3 May 2018 – 2 May 2024
Personal details
BornStephen Race
1983 (age 42–43)
Kingston upon Hull, East Yorkshire, England
PartyLabour
University of Manchester
Websitehttps://steverace.org.uk/

Early life and career

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Race was born in Hull in 1983, and had a younger sister who was born with Hurler syndrome, an incurable genetic condition.[4] He studied BA Literature & Social Sciences at Manchester University. In his twenties, Race raised £20,000 for his late sister’s children’s hospice while doing the Three Peaks Challenge.[4]

Race's professional career was largely spent in communications and consultancy. He was a senior director at consulting firm BCW and senior counsel at Lexington Communications.[5] Both of these companies have provided services to fossil fuel companies.[6] Race has also been criticised for Lexington's association to the UK's private water industry.[7]

Political career

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Between 2007 and 2011 he worked as a Senior Parliamentary Researcher for Exeter's Member of Parliament, Ben Bradshaw.[8] He was Chair of the Young Fabians between 2012 and 2013. Subsequently he was an Associate Director with FleishmanHillard and served as a councillor on Hackney Council, representing Hoxton East and Shoreditch from 2018 until 2024.

He contested East Devon in the 2015 general election.[9]

Parliamentary career

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In July 2022 members of Exeter Labour Party selected him from a shortlist of four to be their parliamentary candidate, following Ben Bradshaw's decision to retire after 25 years in Parliament. At the 2024 general election, he was elected to Parliament.

He is listed as an LGBTQ+ Member of Parliament in 2024 by PinkNews.[10]

Political positions

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When asked to summarise his political philosophy in three words in a 2023 interview, Race responded "European Social Democracy". He also named Ernest Bevin as his political hero.[4]

Homelessness prevention is a priority for Race.[11][12]

Race is "passionate" about animal welfare, and has made efforts for a national phase-out of animal testing.[13]

Race supports Exeter City Council becoming a unitary authority.[14][15]

References

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  1. ↑ "Steve Race MP". UK Parliament. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  2. ↑ "Members Sworn". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Vol. 752. Parliament of the United Kingdom: House of Commons. 10 July 2024.
  3. ↑ "Exeter - General election results 2024". BBC News. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 Edwards, Ewan (7 December 2023). "An Interview with the Labour Candidate for Exeter". Exeposé Online. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  5. ↑ "Meet the Labour Candidates Lobbying for Oil, Gas and Arms Companies | Polly Smythe". Novara Media. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
  6. ↑ Kersley, Andrew (31 July 2024). "Dozens of New MPs Worked for Oil and Gas Lobbyists". DeSmog. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
  7. ↑ Phillips, Alexa (6 January 2025). "Revealed: Water industry's attempts to influence Labour MPs amid sewage anger". The i Paper. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
  8. ↑ Reporter, East Devon (5 July 2024). "Exeter: Labour Party candidate Steve Race is city's new MP". East Devon News. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  9. ↑ Neame, Katie (4 July 2022). "Exeter parliamentary selection – shortlist finalised". LabourList. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  10. ↑ "Number of out LGBTQ+ MPS falls following election".
  11. ↑ Exeter, Steve Race, Member of Parliament for (29 December 2025). "Exeter MP reflects on first full year and sets priorities for 2026". www.themoorlander.co.uk. Retrieved 18 February 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. ↑ "'Extreme worry' over cuts to Devon homelessness funding". BBC News. 10 December 2025. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
  13. ↑ Taylor, Caitlin (29 January 2026). "Exeter MP welcomes new animal welfare strategy promising biggest reforms in a generation". www.torbayweekly.co.uk. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
  14. ↑ Taylor, Caitlin (1 December 2025). "Labour MPs back plan to make Exeter a standalone unitary authority". www.torbayweekly.co.uk. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
  15. ↑ Taylor, Caitlin (1 December 2025). "Labour MPs back plan to make Exeter a standalone unitary authority". www.northdevongazette.co.uk. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
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