Sam Tarry

{{short description|British Labour politician, MP for Ilford South}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Sam Tarry

| honorific-suffix =

| image = Official portrait of Sam Tarry MP crop 2.jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Official portrait, 2019

| office1 = Shadow Minister for Buses and Local Transport

| term_start1 = 7 January 2021

| term_end1 = 27 July 2022

| successor1 = Simon Lightwood

| office8 = Member of Parliament
for Ilford South

| term_start8 = 12 December 2019

| term_end8 = 30 May 2024

| majority8 =

| predecessor8 = Mike Gapes

| successor8 = Jas Athwal

| office9 = Member of Barking and Dagenham London Borough Council for Chadwell Heath

| term_start9 = 6 May 2010

| term_end9 = 3 May 2018

| birth_name = Samuel Peter Tarry

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1982|08|27|df=y}}

| birth_place = Westminster, London, England

| death_date =

| death_place =

| alma_mater = University College London

| spouse = {{marriage|Julia Fozard|2016||end=separated}}

| children = 2

| party = Labour

| otherparty = Socialist Campaign Group (2019–2024)

| residence = Dagenham, London

| alongside =

| predecessor1 = Matt Rodda

| leader1 = Keir Starmer

| partner = Angela Rayner (2022–2023)

}}

Samuel Peter Tarry ({{IPAc-en|'|t|ɑː|r|i}}; born 27 August 1982){{Cite book|last=Brunskill|first=Ian|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/1129682574|title=The Times Guide to the House of Commons 2019: The Definitive Record of Britain's Historic 2019 General Election|date=19 March 2020|publisher=HarperCollins Publishers Limited |isbn=978-0-00-839258-1|oclc=1129682574|access-date=8 June 2021|archive-date=9 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109125548/https://www.worldcat.org/title/times-guide-to-the-house-of-commons-2019-the-definitive-record-of-britains-historic-2019-general-election/oclc/1129682574|url-status=live}} is a British former politician who was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ilford South from 2019 until 2024. He was a member of the Socialist Campaign Group parliamentary caucus. On 10 October 2022 he was deselected by the Ilford South Constituency Labour Party as its candidate for the next general election.

Early life and career

Samuel Tarry was born on 27 August 1982 in Westminster.{{cite web|title=Why I'm standing for Young Labour chair|website=Liberal Conspiracy|url=http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/02/26/why-im-standing-for-young-labour-chair/|access-date=14 February 2020|archive-date=21 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321222407/http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/02/26/why-im-standing-for-young-labour-chair/|url-status=live}} The eldest son of The Revd Canon Gordon Tarry, a Church of England clergyman, he grew up on St. Andrews Road and attended Highlands Primary School in Ilford. His family later moved to Seven Kings, and Tarry completed his secondary education at St Edward's Church of England School in Romford. He acquired his first job at the age of 15 as a cleaner at Redbridge College, and later worked at Sainsbury's to help pay for his studies at University College London.{{cite news|last=Clemenson|first=Matthew|date=24 August 2019|title=Trade union official Sam Tarry hoping to be named Labour's next parliamentary candidate for Ilford South|url=https://www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/news/crime-court/ilford-born-sam-tarry-running-to-be-labour-s-next-ilford-south-candidate-1-6223695|newspaper=Ilford Recorder|access-date=21 December 2019|archive-date=22 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222034742/https://www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/news/crime-court/ilford-born-sam-tarry-running-to-be-labour-s-next-ilford-south-candidate-1-6223695|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Braddrick|first=Imogen|date=17 July 2019|title=Former Redbridge and Newham school pupils reunited 20 years after 'powerful' interfaith project|newspaper=Ilford Recorder|url=https://www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/news/encounter-youth-exchange-reunion-in-ilford-1-6163400|access-date=6 July 2020|archive-date=7 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707112748/https://www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/news/encounter-youth-exchange-reunion-in-ilford-1-6163400|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Our Story – Saint John the Evangelist|url=https://www.saintjohnschurch.co.uk/ourstory.htm|access-date=7 August 2020|website=www.saintjohnschurch.co.uk|archive-date=31 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331102907/https://www.saintjohnschurch.co.uk/ourstory.htm|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=appointments|url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2005/23-september/gazette/appointments|access-date=7 August 2020|newspaper=Church Times|archive-date=19 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419115217/https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2005/23-september/gazette/appointments|url-status=live}}

Political career

From 2009 to 2011, Tarry was the Chair of Young Labour, the youth wing of the Labour Party.{{cite web |last=Tarry |first=Sam |date=16 July 2010 |title=Organising for Labour. Organising to Win |url=https://labourlist.org/2010/07/organising-for-labour-organising-to-win/ |publisher=LabourList |access-date=17 January 2020 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304094015/http://labourlist.org/2010/07/organising-for-labour-organising-to-win/ |url-status=live}} Tarry went on to be active in anti-fascism, including working as a Community Organiser for Hope not Hate.{{cite news|last=Tarry|first=Sam|date=16 July 2010|title=Organising for Labour. Organising to Win|work=Labourlist|url=https://labourlist.org/2010/07/organising-for-labour-organising-to-win/|access-date=14 July 2020|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304094015/http://labourlist.org/2010/07/organising-for-labour-organising-to-win/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Sam Tarry|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/profile/sam-tarry|access-date=17 January 2020|archive-date=16 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416183759/https://www.theguardian.com/profile/sam-tarry|url-status=live}}

Tarry was a Labour Party councillor for Chadwell Heath ward, in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, from 2010 to 2018.{{Cite web|date=22 December 2020|title=Councillor details – Cllr Sam Tarry|url=https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/welcome-to-barking-and-dagenham|access-date=22 December 2020|publisher=London Borough of Barking and Dagenham|archive-date=29 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220729040047/https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/|url-status=live}} Tarry was criticised for allegedly living in his home in Brighton, which is 70 miles away from his then council seat in Barking and Dagenham.{{Cite news|date=28 August 2016|title=Corbyn adviser denies claims of electoral fraud over registered address|url=http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/aug/28/corbyn-adviser-sam-tarry-denies-claims-electoral-fraud-barking-address|access-date=22 December 2020|newspaper=The Guardian|location=London|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108144711/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/aug/28/corbyn-adviser-sam-tarry-denies-claims-electoral-fraud-barking-address|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Gilligan|first=Andrew|author-link=Andrew Gilligan|title='Double life' of Corbyn henchman|newspaper=The Times|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/double-life-of-corbyn-henchman-mr9xt6s5k|access-date=22 December 2020|issn=0140-0460|archive-date=9 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509121251/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/double-life-of-corbyn-henchman-mr9xt6s5k|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Swinford|first=Steven|date=28 August 2016|title=Jeremy Corbyn's adviser works as councillor in London but has marital home 70 miles away|work=The Daily Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/08/28/jeremy-corbyn-ally-works-as-councillor-in-london-but-has-marital/|access-date=22 December 2020|issn=0307-1235|archive-date=12 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112151446/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/08/28/jeremy-corbyn-ally-works-as-councillor-in-london-but-has-marital/|url-status=live}} He was investigated by police for electoral fraud in relation to this matter, and was cleared by the police investigation, as he was found to own a second home in Barking and Dagenham, and therefore was legally resident in Barking and Dagenham at the time of his election.{{Cite news|last=Peyer|first=Robin de|date=9 July 2014|title=East London Labour councillor Sam Tarry cleared after investigation|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/east-london-labour-councillor-sam-tarry-cleared-after-investigation-into-claims-of-electoral-fraud-9556550.html|access-date=22 December 2020|work=Evening Standard|place=London|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112002906/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/east-london-labour-councillor-sam-tarry-cleared-after-investigation-into-claims-of-electoral-fraud-9556550.html|url-status=live}}File:Sam Tarry, 2016 Labour Party Conference 3.jpg

In 2016 Tarry worked under Jon Lansman's supervision as a director of Jeremy Corbyn's successful Labour Party leadership campaign.{{Cite web|title=HuffPost is now a part of Verizon Media|url=https://consent.yahoo.com/collectConsent?sessionId=1_cc-session_eac048ab-7ad6-41c7-8dc9-0d67f220686f&lang=en-gb&inline=false|access-date=5 August 2020|website=consent.yahoo.com}}{{Dead link|date=June 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}

He subsequently worked as the national political officer for the TSSA trade union, and served as the president of a thinktank, the Centre for Labour and Social Studies (CLASS).{{cite web|last=Rodgers|first=Sienna|date=22 October 2019|title=Sam Tarry wins Ilford South selection to replace Mike Gapes|url=https://labourlist.org/2019/10/sam-tarry-wins-ilford-south-selection-to-replace-mike-gapes/|publisher=LabourList|access-date=17 January 2020|archive-date=23 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023225644/https://labourlist.org/2019/10/sam-tarry-wins-ilford-south-selection-to-replace-mike-gapes/|url-status=live}}

In 2017 Tarry stood for selection to be the Labour parliamentary candidate for the Labour-held seat of Hull West and Hessle. He was the favourite to be selected, because of his relationship with Corbyn.{{cite news|date=2017|title=Who is Sam Tarry?|work=Hull Daily Mail |url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/who-is-sam-tarry-the-jeremy-corbyn-ally-favourite-to-become-hull-s-next-mp/story-30295291-detail/story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426144349/https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/who-is-sam-tarry-the-jeremy-corbyn-ally-favourite-to-become-hull-s-next-mp/story-30295291-detail/story.html |access-date=29 August 2020|archive-date=26 April 2017}}{{cite news|date=27 April 2017|title=Corbynites left out in the cold in Hull|work=The Spectator |url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/corbynites-left-out-in-the-cold-in-hull|access-date=29 August 2020}}{{cite web|last=Staufenberg|first=Jess|date=18 February 2020|title=Profile: Emma Hardy|url=https://feweek.co.uk/2020/02/18/introducing-emma-hardy-shadow-further-education-and-higher-education-minister/|access-date=29 August 2020|website=FE Week|archive-date=23 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923193904/https://feweek.co.uk/2020/02/18/introducing-emma-hardy-shadow-further-education-and-higher-education-minister/|url-status=live}} The party instead selected Emma Hardy, a local teacher and trade union organiser.{{cite news|last=Watson|first=Iain|date=28 April 2017|title=Key Corbyn allies not selected by Labour|language=en-GB|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-39747199|access-date=29 August 2020|archive-date=3 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203051710/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-39747199|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Joslin|first=Mike|title=Behind the scenes on Labour's candidate selection|url=http://www.writeyou.co.uk/behind_the_scenes_on_labour_s_candidate_selection|access-date=29 August 2020|website=WriteYou |archive-date=21 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921110858/http://www.writeyou.co.uk/behind_the_scenes_on_labour_s_candidate_selection|url-status=live}}

In 2019, Tarry stood for selection to be the Labour parliamentary candidate for Ilford South, previously held by Mike Gapes. His campaign was jointly run by GMB and Momentum.{{cite web|last=Rodgers|first=Sienna|title=Sam Tarry wins Ilford South selection to replace Mike Gapes|url=https://labourlist.org/2019/10/sam-tarry-wins-ilford-south-selection-to-replace-mike-gapes/|access-date=11 February 2021|website=LabourList|date=22 October 2019 |language=en-GB|archive-date=23 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023225644/https://labourlist.org/2019/10/sam-tarry-wins-ilford-south-selection-to-replace-mike-gapes/|url-status=live}} On 4 October 2019, the evening before members were due to vote, a rival candidate, Redbridge Council leader Jas Athwal, was suspended from the party over an allegation of sexual harassment.{{cite news|date=5 October 2019|title=Redbridge Council leader suspended over 'serious allegation'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-49944605|publisher=BBC News|access-date=12 January 2020|archive-date=22 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022004043/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-49944605|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Pogrund|first1=Gabriel|last2=Wheeler|first2=Caroline|date=20 October 2019|title=Corbyn friends 'stitch up' seats|work=The Sunday Times|place=London|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/corbyn-friends-stitch-up-seats-63jqqm69c|url-access=subscription|access-date=17 January 2020|archive-date=25 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191125021227/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/corbyn-friends-stitch-up-seats-63jqqm69c|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Rodgers|first=Sienna|title=Sam Tarry wins Ilford South selection to replace Mike Gapes|url=https://labourlist.org/2019/10/sam-tarry-wins-ilford-south-selection-to-replace-mike-gapes/|access-date=18 September 2020|website=LabourList|date=22 October 2019 |language=en-GB|archive-date=23 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023225644/https://labourlist.org/2019/10/sam-tarry-wins-ilford-south-selection-to-replace-mike-gapes/|url-status=live}} On 22 October 2019, after a postponement of the vote, and with Athwal ineligible due to his suspension, Tarry was selected. Athwal was subsequently cleared of any wrongdoing.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-54181105 |title=Redbridge Council leader cleared of Labour 'axe to grind' complaint |publisher=BBC News |date=16 September 2020 |access-date=14 August 2021 |archive-date=14 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814145522/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-54181105 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/news/local-council/council-leader-cleared-calls-on-investigation-3268874 |title=Redbridge Council leader Jas Athwal calls for investigation after being cleared of allegations against him |newspaper=Ilford Recorder |date=16 September 2020 |access-date=14 August 2021 |archive-date=14 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814145523/https://www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/news/local-council/council-leader-cleared-calls-on-investigation-3268874 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/oct/04/jas-athwal-labour-councillor-tells-of-darkest-time-in-suspension-row |title=Labour councillor tells of his 'darkest time' in suspension row |date=4 October 2020 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |issn=0261-3077 |access-date=14 August 2021 |archive-date=14 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814145522/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/oct/04/jas-athwal-labour-councillor-tells-of-darkest-time-in-suspension-row |url-status=live}}

Parliamentary career

At the 2019 general election, Tarry was elected to Parliament as MP for Ilford South with 65.6% of the vote and a majority of 24,101.{{cite news |title=Ilford South Parliamentary constituency |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000760 |access-date=23 November 2019 |publisher=BBC News}}[https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/media/7429/statement-of-persons-nominated-and-notice-of-poll-a3-ilford-south.pdf Statement of Persons Nominated and Notice of Poll] London Borough of Redbridge{{cite news |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000760 |title=Ilford South |access-date=17 January 2020 |archive-date=11 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411174054/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000760 |url-status=live}}

Tarry was appointed to the Transport Select Committee, on which he has been credited as being a "passionate advocate for public ownership".{{cite web|url=https://www.tssa.org.uk/en/whats-new/news/index.cfm/tssa-welcomes-appointment-of-passionate-advocate-for-public-ownership-sam-tarry-to-transport-select-committee|title=TSSA welcomes appointment of "passionate advocate for public ownership" Sam Tarry to Transport Select Committee – News|website=Transport Salaried Staffs' Association|access-date=11 April 2020|archive-date=11 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411163157/https://www.tssa.org.uk/en/whats-new/news/index.cfm/tssa-welcomes-appointment-of-passionate-advocate-for-public-ownership-sam-tarry-to-transport-select-committee|url-status=live}} In this role, he called for introduction of a death in service payment scheme for London transport workers.{{Cite web|last=Boyle|first=Cash|title=Ilford South MP quizzes Mayor of London on death in service payments for transport workers|url=https://www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/news/transport-workers-deserve-death-in-service-payments-1-6760290|access-date=6 August 2020|newspaper=Ilford Recorder|date=23 July 2020|language=en|archive-date=15 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815075050/https://www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/news/transport-workers-deserve-death-in-service-payments-1-6760290|url-status=live}} He also joined the Socialist Campaign Group of left-wing Labour MPs.{{Cite news |first1=Esther |last1=Webber |first2=Oliver |last2=Wright |first3=Henry |last3=Zeffman |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/labour-leadership-corbynistas-oppose-angela-rayners-bid-to-be-deputy-rwdlzzz95 |title=Labour leadership: Corbynistas oppose Angela Rayner's bid to be deputy |newspaper=The Times |location=London |access-date=11 April 2020 |issn=0140-0460 |archive-date=11 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411163153/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/labour-leadership-corbynistas-oppose-angela-rayners-bid-to-be-deputy-rwdlzzz95 |url-status=live}}

Prior to his election in 2019 Tarry said "There are people associated with the Labour Party who have sought to exploit the issue [of antisemitism] just because they don't agree with Jeremy Corbyn over an issue of foreign policy". The Jewish Labour Movement criticised this remark as underplaying the issue of antisemitism in the Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn. In response Tarry said that he was "clearly referring" to Mike Gapes who held the seat prior to himself. He further stated, "As someone who has worked with many interfaith groups and organisations, including Searchlight and Hope not Hate, specifically to fight antisemitism and racism, this is something I care deeply about and would never seek to downplay".{{cite news |last=Phillips |first=Alek |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/ilford-south-labour-candidate-says-labour-associates-exploit-antisemitism-because-they-disagree-wi-1.493664 |title=Ilford South Labour candidate says people in the party 'exploit' antisemitism to attack Corbyn 'over foreign policy' |date=28 November 2019 |newspaper=The Jewish Chronicle |access-date=17 January 2020|archive-date=29 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229133009/https://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/ilford-south-labour-candidate-says-labour-associates-exploit-antisemitism-because-they-disagree-wi-1.493664|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Frot |first=Mathilde |title=Labour candidate claims some 'exploit' antisemitism over foreign policy clash |url=https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/labour-candidate-claims-some-exploit-antisemitism-over-foreign-policy-clash/|access-date=11 April 2020|website=Jewish News |language=en-US|archive-date=14 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414134824/https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/labour-candidate-claims-some-exploit-antisemitism-over-foreign-policy-clash/|url-status=live}}

During the 2020 Labour leadership election campaign Tarry said that Keir Starmer would have to show how he would appeal to northern seats that had abandoned Labour, given that he was a "North London lawyer" and had opposed Brexit.{{cite web|url=https://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/18145495.sam-tarry-questions-keir-starmers-north-london-lawyer-image/|title=Ilford South MP questions Keir Starmer's 'north London lawyer' image|website=East London and West Essex Guardian Series|date=8 January 2020 |access-date=11 April 2020|archive-date=11 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411163153/https://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/18145495.sam-tarry-questions-keir-starmers-north-london-lawyer-image/|url-status=live}} Tarry subsequently supported Rebecca Long-Bailey in the leadership contest.{{cite web|url=https://labourlist.org/2020/01/rolling-list-mp-mep-nominations-for-labour-leadership-candidates/|title=Rolling list: MP/MEP nominations for Labour leadership candidates|date=8 January 2020|website=LabourList|language=en-GB|access-date=11 April 2020|archive-date=12 March 2022|archive-url=https://archive.today/20220312232412/https://labourlist.org/2020/01/rolling-list-mp-mep-nominations-for-labour-leadership-candidates/|url-status=live}}

From April 2020 until January 2021 Tarry was a parliamentary private secretary to Ed Miliband in the Shadow Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy team, and as part of the parliamentary team of Angela Rayner, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, when he was appointed to the role of Shadow Minister for Buses and Local Transport.{{Cite news |last=Rodgers|first=Sienna|date=21 April 2020 |title=Angela Rayner unveils new MP appointments to transform Labour |work=LabourList |url=https://labourlist.org/2020/04/angela-rayner-unveils-new-mp-appointments-to-transform-labour/ |url-status=live |access-date=17 December 2020 |archive-date=11 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211103757/https://labourlist.org/2020/04/angela-rayner-unveils-new-mp-appointments-to-transform-labour/}}{{Cite tweet |first=Sam |last=Tarry |user=SamTarry |number=1252147390674591745 |access-date=18 November 2020 |title=I'm excited to be working with @Ed_Miliband as a Parliamentary Private Secretary for his brief as Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. @UKLabour will work to ensure that we transition to a green industrial revolution beyond #COVID19. |date=20 April 2020 |language=en-GB |archive-date=1 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501121935/https://twitter.com/SamTarry/status/1252147390674591745 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Rodgers|first=Sienna|title=New roles for Dromey, Anderson, Rodda and Tarry in Labour reshuffle|url=https://labourlist.org/2021/01/new-roles-for-dromey-anderson-rodda-and-tarry-in-labour-reshuffle/|access-date=7 January 2021|website=LabourList|date=7 January 2021 |language=en-GB|archive-date=7 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107162129/https://labourlist.org/2021/01/new-roles-for-dromey-anderson-rodda-and-tarry-in-labour-reshuffle/|url-status=live}}

The summer of 2022 saw significant amounts of industrial unrest, with{{Cite web |last=Atkin |first=Elizabeth |date=29 June 2022 |title=What strikes could be happening in 2022? Latest news and dates |url=https://metro.co.uk/2022/06/29/what-strikes-could-happen-in-2022-industries-dates-and-latest-news-16906610/ |access-date=29 July 2022 |website=Metro}}{{Cite web |last=Smythe |first=Polly |date=21 July 2022 |title=This summer's strikes are already working – unions, set your sights even higher |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jul/21/hot-strike-summer-britain-unions-spiralling-inflation |access-date=29 July 2022 |website=The Guardian}} Keir Starmer instructing members of his shadow cabinet to refrain from joining picket lines.{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Peter |date=28 July 2022 |title=Why has Keir Starmer picked battle over shadow ministers on picket lines? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/jul/28/why-has-keir-starmer-picked-battle-over-shadow-ministers-on-picket-lines |access-date=29 July 2022 |website=The Guardian}} However, some Labour MPs did appear on picket lines including frontbenchers Kate Osborne, Paula Barker, and Navendu Mishra.{{Cite news |date=21 June 2022 |title=Rail strike: Labour MPs defy Keir Starmer's picket line plea |language=en-GB |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-61878745 |access-date=29 July 2022}}{{Cite web |date=21 June 2022 |title='Don't tell Starmer': Labour MPs join picket lines after leader bans frontbench |url=https://www.itv.com/news/2022-06-21/dont-tell-starmer-labour-mps-join-picket-lines-after-leader-bans-frontbench |access-date=29 July 2022 |website=ITV News}} Tarry was dismissed from his position as Shadow Minister for Buses and Local Transport on 27 July after he had appeared on a rail strike picket at Euston railway station. He said in a TV interview that workers should receive a pay rise in line with inflation, though Labour policy was that pay increases should be based on negotiation. A spokesperson for the party said that "Sam Tarry was sacked because he booked himself onto media programmes without permission and then made up policy on the hoof".{{Cite news |title=Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer says he sacked shadow minister for making up policy 'on the hoof' at picket line |url=https://news.sky.com/story/labour-leader-sir-keir-starmer-says-he-sacked-minister-for-making-up-policy-on-the-hoof-at-picket-line-12660613 |access-date=29 July 2022 |publisher=Sky News}}{{cite news |title=Keir Starmer sacks shadow transport minister who backed rail strikes |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-62325842 |access-date=27 July 2022 |publisher=BBC News |archive-date=27 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727163739/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-62325842 |url-status=live}} However, his sacking was criticised by trade union leaders, and Tarry wrote in a newspaper opinion piece that "failing to join the striking rail workers on a picket line would have been an abject dereliction of duty for me as a Labour MP".{{Cite web |last=Meade |first=Aimee |date=29 July 2022 |title=Sam Tarry: It is a dereliction of duty for Starmer and Labour MPs to not join picket lines |url=https://inews.co.uk/opinion/sam-tarry-keir-starmer-labour-mps-duty-strikes-picket-lines-1768207 |access-date=29 July 2022 |website=inews.co.uk}}{{cite news |date=27 July 2022 |title=Shadow ministers question Labour's stance on strikes after Tarry sacking |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/jul/27/sam-tarry-sacked-labour-frontbench-rail-strike-picket-line-keir-starmer |url-status=live |access-date=27 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727164305/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/jul/27/sam-tarry-sacked-labour-frontbench-rail-strike-picket-line-keir-starmer |archive-date=27 July 2022 |issn=0261-3077}}

File:Prime Minister's Questions, 7 February 2024 21.jpg, 7 February 2024]]

Tarry said the murder of Zara Aleena in July 2022 in Ilford was "incredibly shocking" and called on the local community to "all [pull] together".{{cite web |last1=Dodd |first1=Vikram |last2=Abdul |first2=Geneva |title=Zara Aleena: police arrest man on suspicion of murder in east London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jun/27/zara-aleena-police-arrest-man-on-suspicion-of-in-east-london |website=The Guardian |date=27 June 2022}} Tarry said the case was a "shameful failure" of the probation service.{{cite web |last1=Mewawalla |first1=Tara |title=Ilford MPs demand action after "shameful failures" in case of Zara Aleena's killer |url=https://www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/news/23275987.ilford-mps-demand-action-following-jordan-mcsweeney-report/ |website=Ilford Recorder |language=en |date=25 January 2023}}

In July 2022 a trigger ballot was held in Ilford South to determine whether Tarry should face reselection; Tarry lost the vote 57.5% to 42.5%.{{cite web |url=https://labourlist.org/2022/08/tarry-instructs-law-firm-over-allegations-of-irregularity-in-trigger-ballot-process/ |website=Labour List |title=Tarry instructs law firm over 'allegations of irregularity' in trigger ballot process|date=30 August 2022 |access-date=10 October 2022}} On 10 October 2022 a reselection vote was held, which Tarry lost to local council leader Jas Athwal by 361 votes to 499.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/oct/10/sam-tarry-deselection-bid-ilford-south-constituency|title=Sam Tarry deselected as MP by Ilford South Labour members|work=The Guardian|date=10 October 2022|last=Elgot|first=Jessica}}

Tarry has been an advocate for drug checking at concerts and harm reduction measures in festival settings.{{cite web |last=Syal |first=Rajeev |title=Fatboy Slim backs appeal to allow onsite festival drug testing |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/jun/25/fatboy-slim-backs-appeal-to-allow-onsite-festival-drug-testing |work=The Guardian |date=25 June 2023}} In 2023, Tarry's letter on the subject to then-Home Secretary Suella Braverman was supported by Fatboy Slim, Billy Bragg and Olugbenga Adelekan as well as 31 MPs.

Personal life

Tarry married paediatrician Julia Fozard in 2016, and they have two sons. It was reported in July 2022 that the couple had separated.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/07/27/sam-tarry-sacked-labour-frontbench-appearing-rail-strike-picket/ |title=Keir Starmer sacks Angela Rayner's shadow minister boyfriend for joining rail strike picket line |first1=Tony |last1=Diver |first2=Camilla |last2=Turner |first3=Oliver |last3=Gill |date=27 July 2022 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=27 July 2022 |archive-date=27 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727182407/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/07/27/sam-tarry-sacked-labour-frontbench-appearing-rail-strike-picket/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Isgin |first=Kieran |date=28 July 2022 |title=Starmer 'faces revolt' for sacking Angela Rayner's partner for attending strike |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/uk-news/sir-keir-starmer-faces-possible-24608961 |access-date=11 September 2022 |work=Manchester Evening News}}{{cite web |last=Green |first=Chris |date=9 August 2022 |title=Angela Rayner says Keir Starmer was 'within his rights' to sack her partner, Sam Tarry |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/labour/angela-rayner-keir-starmer-sack-partner-sam-tarry-1786298 |access-date=11 September 2022 |website=i}} In the summer of 2022 journalists began reporting that Tarry was "in a relationship" with Angela Rayner, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, but the relationship ended in 2023.{{cite news |last=Edwardes |first=Charlotte |date=24 March 2024 |title=Angela Rayner on roots, rough edges and being ready for power |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global/2024/mar/23/angela-rayner-roots-rough-edges-ready-for-power |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240613055257/https://www.theguardian.com/global/2024/mar/23/angela-rayner-roots-rough-edges-ready-for-power |archive-date=13 June 2024 |access-date=5 April 2024 |work=The Guardian}}