Mp’s MARCH TO PARLIAMENT

He studied politics at Aberystwyth University, where he became a paid-up member of the Labour Party, before going on to Sandhurst Military as an officer cadet.

During a 14-year army career, he served in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq, becoming a major in 2003.

In his second tour of Afghanistan, he served as a company commander with the Special Forces Support Group.

He resigned his commission at the beginning of 2011 to stand in the Barnsley Central by-election, and was elected to Parliament in March.

In October 2011, he joined the Labour front bench as shadow culture minister.