MP for Leeds Central and Headingley
“A highly loyal Labour backbencher who occasionally rebels on welfare and end-of-life legislation, while focusing on human rights.”
Alex Sobel is the Labour (Co-op) MP for Leeds Central and Headingley, first elected in 2017. He currently serves on the Joint Committee on Human Rights and has previously sat on the Environmental Audit Committee, the Culture, Media and Sport committees, and held shadow minister roles in Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and in Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
Sobel has a 100% party loyalty rating and a 61% voting attendance, above the party average. He generally backs welfare measures such as Universal Credit and NHS funding, and votes against stricter immigration controls and tighter asylum policies. He has occasionally rebelled against party lines, notably voting in favour of welfare and end-of-life bill amendments in 2025, and opposing the 2018 Motion on National Policy Statement and Runway Capacity.
Sobel has declared 10 financial interests, including five miscellaneous entries, four entries relating to gifts, benefits and hospitality from UK sources, and one entry for visits outside the UK.
Generated 21 February 2026
How this MP participates in parliamentary votes. These numbers describe activity, not effectiveness.
How often this MP votes
Labour (Co-op) average: 34%
The percentage of parliamentary votes (divisions) this MP participated in. MPs may miss votes for legitimate reasons including ministerial duties, constituency work, or illness.
How often this MP votes with their party
Labour (Co-op) average: 99%
Estimated from voting record, not self-declared. This is a simplified model — real politics is more complex than a single axis.
13 positions
Human Rights (Joint Committee)
Since Nov 2024
Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Jan 2024 - May 2024
Culture, Media and Sport Sub-committee on Online Harms and Disinformation
Jan 2024 - May 2024
Shark Fins Bill
Nov 2022 - Nov 2022
Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform Bill)
Nov 2022 - Nov 2022
Shadow Minister (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Dec 2021 - Sept 2023
Highgate Cemetery Bill Committee
Jun 2021 - May 2024
Figures include only interests with declared monetary values from the Register of Members' Financial Interests. Some categories (e.g. hospitality, overseas visits) may not have monetary values recorded, so the total may not reflect all declared interests.
Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill: Reasoned Amendment to Second Reading
NOSteel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill
King's Speech Motion for an Address
AYEKing's Speech Motion for an Address: amendment (p)
NOKing's Speech Motion for an Address: amendment (l)
NOKing's Speech Motion for an Address: amendment (o)
NOKing's Speech Motion for an Address: amendment (i)
NODraft Immigration and Asylum (Provision of Accommodation to Failed Asylum-Seekers) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
AYEDraft Asylum Seekers (Reception Conditions) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
AYEPension Schemes Bill: Government Motion relating to Lords Reason 88X
AYECollective Defined Contribution Pension Schemes Bill
Privilege
NOChildren's School and Wellbeing Bill: Motion relating to Lords Amendments 38V to 38X
AYENorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Carry-over (Motion)
AYENorthern Ireland Troubles Bill
Pension Schemes Bill: Motion relating to Lords Reason 88Q
AYECollective Defined Contribution Pension Schemes Bill
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill: Motion relating to Lords Amendments 85, 86, 97 to 116, 120, 121 and 123 etc
AYEEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill: Motion relating to Lords Amendments 36, 90 and 155
AYEEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
The percentage of votes where this MP voted the same way as the majority of their party. High loyalty is typical; most MPs vote with their party on most issues.
Rebel votes
Times this MP voted differently from the majority of their party. This can reflect independent judgement, but context matters — some rebel votes are on procedural matters, others on major policy.
