'My mum's cancer struggle got me into politics'

Tom Gordon is the new MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough

Harrogate and Knaresborough's new MP Tom Gordon has said seeing his mother "struggle" after being diagnosed with breast cancer motivated him to get into politics.

Mr Gordon won the seat for the Liberal Democrats at the general election, defeating incumbent Conservative Andrew Jones.

He told the BBC his mother was diagnosed the day before he started a Master of Public Health degree at Newcastle University.

He said witnessing her plight showed there was "not enough support there for people".

"The day before I started my master's degree, my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer," Mr Gordon said.

"Fortunately she's fine and recovered now.

"She's even a councillor in Wakefield."

Mr Gordon said he studied his degree part-time over two years, rather than one, so he could "spend time at home and look after her and my little sister".

He added that he wanted to get into politics after seeing "how people have to struggle or cope when they've got long-term or chronic life-threatening illness and the fact that there's not enough support there for people".

Following his degree, Mr Gordon went on to work in the scientific recruitment and health services research sector.

Key priorities

On his priorities for his new constituency, Mr Gordon said he would try "to make sure we stop the sewage scandal, crack down on the water companies that are endlessly polluting the rivers".

He added that he would ensure "there's more support for people with the cost of living and of course health and social care is in need of massive investment".

The Liberal Democrats won 72 seats at the general election, the most the party has ever won.

Sir Ed Davey led the Lib Dems to becoming the third biggest party in Parliament for the first time since 2010.

"Every Liberal Democrat MP will be a strong local champion for their community standing up for the NHS and care," Sir Ed said.

"Whether you voted for us or not, we will work day in and day out and we will not let you down."

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