Mike Reader from Mace is campaigning to become a Labour MP in Northampton South.
- Reader is leveraging his extensive construction industry experience in his political bid.
- He’s focussing on overcoming a significant Conservative majority in this key constituency.
- His campaign underscores the importance of dedicated local representation without distractions.
- Reader’s candidacy reflects a broader strategy of Labour targeting winnable seats.
Mike Reader, a senior executive at Mace, is aiming to transition from the construction sector to the political arena by contesting as a Labour candidate in the upcoming general election, particularly focusing on the Northampton South constituency. Reader, who holds the role of global lead for winning work within Mace’s consulting division, is transitioning from his longstanding engagement in the construction industry to politics, backed by a comprehensive experience that he believes is invaluable for legislative duties.
Having spent over six and a half years at Mace, Reader emphasises his significant involvement in impactful projects, such as his operational directorship role in the NHS Nightingale construction team during the COVID-19 pandemic. His previous tenure at consultancy Pick Everard, where he managed responsibilities for a decade, further showcases his industry expertise. Reader has also played a pivotal role in the formation of Perfect Circle, a joint venture initiative amongst Pick Everard, Gleeds, and Aecom, which has notably contributed to over 500 job creations in the East Midlands.
Reader’s campaign for the Labour candidacy points to a pressing requirement for overcoming the existing Conservative notional majority of 13,324 votes within the newly outlined constituency. Notably, Northampton South ranks as the 155th most viable seat for a Labour victory, necessitating a 13.43 per cent swing from Conservative to Labour for Reader to secure the position.
A significant aspect of Reader’s political campaign revolves around his vow to serve as a full-time Member of Parliament without accepting secondary employment, thereby prioritising a robust commitment to local representation. On his campaign platform, he reiterates, ‘You deserve a visible and active local representative. I will not take a second job.’ His approach seeks to enhance the efficacy and responsiveness of political representation for Northampton South’s constituents, aligning with Labour’s broader agenda of securing influential seats.
The Labour party is allocating substantial resources to such constituency campaigns, recognising their critical importance to establishing a majority government. With Reader’s potential election, an anticipated departure from Mace would occur, just as the organisation embarks on notable governance changes and aims to expand its Mace Consult revenue significantly by 2030, particularly through international efforts.
The outcome of Reader’s bid will be instrumental for both his career and Labour’s strategic ambitions.
