MPs forced out of maternity leave for snap election hope to win votes with newest additions to campaign teams
Labour’s Emma Reynolds and Tory MP Andrea Jenkyns are amongst politicians juggling new parenthood with standing for Parliament
KISSING babies will be a bigger vote-winner than ever during this general election.
A host of new parents are standing for Parliament – and will be taking their kids on the campaign trail.
Several Tory and Labour MPs were forced out of maternity leave after Theresa May called a snap election last week.
So they will be deploying their tiny ones as a secret weapon to woo the voters.
Labour’s Emma Reynolds took new son Theo – born on Good Friday – on the stump yesterday as she began defending her seat in Wolverhampton North East.
She said yesterday: “At eight days old, he is probably the youngest campaigner in election history.
“I’m just besotted with him and I’m sure many of my constituents will be too.”
Ms Reynolds, 39, planned to take six months’ maternity leave but that was short-lived when Mrs May called an election last week.
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The MP added: “Luckily, the last Labour government introduced shared parental leave, so my husband Richard will be taking some time off to help out.”
Tory MP Andrea Jenkyns had newborn son Clifford out with her – and decked out in blue - in Morley and Outwood.
He made his big arrival on March 29, the day Mrs May triggered Article 50 to start the Brexit process.
Ms Jenkyns, 42, said: “He is a well behaved, happy, healthy little boy.
“Becoming a mother is such a moving and life changing experience and I am overwhelmed by the love and protection I feel towards my little boy.
“As for me I feel fantastic. I love elections, I have privately been hoping that the Prime Minister would trigger an election for some time now and you will see me campaigning just as hard as I did at the last General Election.
“There is a very clear choice at this election and I will do everything in my power to regain control of our borders, our laws and our money as we leave the EU.
“I want my son and the children in my constituency to have the best possible chances in life; I want to live in a country that is secure the strong and only the Conservative party can offer this after the next General Election.”
Labour MP Chuka Umunna, once tipped as party leader, is enjoying new found-fatherhood with a four-week-old daughter.
He said: “Baby Umunna will definitely be joining her dad in her pram on the campaign trail - her thank you present for the sleepless nights and multiple nappy changes.”
His colleague Luciana Berger, MP for Liverpool Wavertree, is also juggling new motherhood with campaigning after daughter Amélie Moselle arrived last month.
She said: “We’re over the moon.”