Alex Ballinger | |
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![]() Official portrait, 2024 | |
Member of Parliament for Halesowen | |
Assumed office 4 July 2024 | |
Preceded by | Constituency established |
Majority | 4,364 (11.3%) |
Personal details | |
Political party | Labour |
Military service | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Branch/service | ![]() |
Years of service | 2005 –2013 |
Rank | Captain |
Unit | Royal Marines |
Alexander Robert Ballinger [1] is a British Labour Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Halesowen since 2024. He gained the seat from James Morris,a Conservative. [2]
Ballinger served with the Royal Marines from 2005 to 2013, [3] [4] [5] and previously worked in the Middle East for the Department for International Development as an aid worker. [6] He then worked in Pakistan for the Foreign,Commonwealth &Development Office (FCDO). [7] [8]
From 2023 to 2024,Ballinger ran a seven-volunteer mental health charity (St Germain’s Wellbeing) for people experiencing anxiety or depression,offering them up to four emotional support sessions, [9] [10] [11] based in Birmingham and the Black Country. [6]
Ballinger was elected on 4 July 2024 with 38.9% of the vote. [12]
In July 2024 Ballinger voted against an amendment to the King's Speech that would have removed the former Conservative Government's policy of a two-child benefit cap. [13] It was widely reported that Labour MPs who did not vote with the government would have the whip removed and be forced to sit as independents. [14]
Ballinger voted to means test the Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners [15]
Ballinger has campaigned in favour of reforms to gambling legislation. [16] This has included hosting a Westminster Hall debate on Gambling Harms [17]