PersonGB

Tom Rutland

Labour MP for East Worthing and Shoreham; resigned as PPS on 11 May 2026.

Last refreshed: 14 May 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

Timeline for Tom Rutland

#8 12 May

Resigned as PPS on 11 May

UK Local Elections 2026: Eight resign in two days on Starmer

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Background

Tom Rutland is the Labour MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, a seat he won in the 2024 general election. On 11 May 2026 he resigned his role as a parliamentary private secretary — one of four PPS resignations that day marking the start of the wave of government departures over Keir Starmer's leadership. PPS roles are the most junior level of government and carry a convention that holders support government policy publicly; Rutland's resignation signalled he was no longer willing to do so.

Common Questions

Why did Tom Rutland resign from the Labour government?

Rutland resigned as a parliamentary private secretary on 11 May 2026, one of four PPSs who quit in a single day at the start of the wave of government departures over Starmer's leadership.Source: LabourList

Who is Tom Rutland MP?

Tom Rutland is the Labour MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, elected in 2024. He resigned as a parliamentary private secretary on 11 May 2026.Source: Parliament

How the World Sees Them

Scottish National Party / John Swinney

Scotland is ready to be independent

Liberal Democrats / Ed Davey

I am ruling out our party entering into a national partnership with any party that is committed to a dangerous and antisemitic policy like the Green Party's

Reform UK / Richard Tice

likely broken the law

Rhun ap Iorwerth / Welsh Government (Plaid Cymru)

the outcomes it delivers

Michael Marra / Scottish Labour

Scots know what we are against. They can't tell you what we are for.

Andy Burnham / Labour Party

contest the next election with a manifesto commitment to change the electoral system so that everyone's vote counts and everyone's voice is heard

Reform UK

fully cooperate with the investigation

Steff Aquarone / Liberal Democrats (North Norfolk)

made to waste £600,000

Stephen Atkinson / Lancashire County Council (Reform UK)

the opportunity to challenge the July decision

Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 14 May 2026. Editorial standards.