Natascha Engel

Natascha Engel's journey to Westminster was anything but conventional. Born in London to a German father and English mother, she worked as a parliamentary researcher before winning the North East Derbyshire seat in 2005, a traditional Labour stronghold. In Parliament, she carved a distinct path, serving as Deputy Speaker and cultivating a reputation for fierce independence. Her most defining battle came as the UK's first 'Shale Gas Commissioner,' a role where she advocated for communities affected by fracking, insisting they should have a direct say and tangible benefits from energy projects in their backyards. This stance often put her at odds with environmental activists and party leadership alike. Her political career ended abruptly with a surprise defeat in the 2017 election, a result she attributed to Labour's failure to listen to its heartland voters on issues like Brexit. She has since become a vocal critic of the Westminster bubble, arguing for a more responsive and less tribal politics.