Labour MP Jessica Morden receives damehood in Birthday Honours List

Labour MP Jessica Morden has been awarded a damehood in this year’s Birthday Honours List.

Morden, who has served as MP for Newport East since 2005, has been ennobled for her services to politics and public service.

She told LabourList: “Clearly, the greatest honour is to serve as the Member of Parliament for the community of Newport East, which I have had the privilege of doing for the past 21 years. However, it is also lovely to have my work in the Labour Party over the last 35 years recognised – much of it in backroom roles, supporting politicians at all levels of government across the country.”

Former Labour MP for Sunderland South and former Foreign Office minister Chris Mullin has also been awarded in the Honours List with a knighthood, with several other party figures also being honoured.

A total of 1,182 people from across the UK have been awarded in the King’s Birthday Honours List for their contribution to local communities.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “Across the UK, people are quietly changing lives and strengthening their communities. This Honours List is a chance to recognise them.

“Their dedication shows how lasting change is built – through compassion, resilience and a commitment to others.

“It speaks to the decent, hopeful country we are proud to be, and behalf of the whole nation, I want to say thank you.”

Full list of Labour figures awarded in Birthday Honours List 2026

• Dame Jessica Morden (Labour MP for Newport East)
• Sir Chris Mullin (former Labour MP for Sunderland South)
• Councillor Peter Wheeler OBE (councillor for Cheshire West and Chester)
• Councillor Joanne Green BEM (councillor for Manchester City Council)
• Rosina Oliver-Lawlor BEM (office manager for Angela Rayner MP)

Become a friend of LabourList and join our community. Our friends support our vital non-factional work and get access to exclusive content and events. 

Subscribe here to our daily newsletter roundup of Labour news, analysis and comment– and follow us on TikTok, Bluesky, WhatsApp, X and Facebook. You can also write to our editor to share your thoughts on our stories and share your own. The best letters are published every Sunday.

• • SHARE: If you have anything to share that we should be looking into or publishing about this story – or any other topic involving Labour– contact us (strictly anonymously if you wish) at [email protected].
  • SUBSCRIBE: Sign up to LabourList’s morning email here for the best briefing on everything Labour, every weekday morning.
  • BECOME A FRIEND: If you enjoyed this, why not consider becoming a Friend of LabourList? Help sustain our journalism, and of course Friends do get benefits…
  • PARTNER: If you or your organisation might be interested in partnering with us on sponsored events or projects, email [email protected].
  • ADVERTISE: If your organisation would like to advertise or run sponsored pieces on LabourList‘s daily newsletter or website, contact our exclusive ad partners Total Politics at [email protected].