Imogen Walker: Rising star and one half of Labour’s new power couple in Scotland

She is seen by some in her own party as one half of a new power couple for Labour.

But former charity boss Imogen Walker, who is favourite to become the first MP for the new Hamilton and Clyde Valley constituency, is also regarded as a rising star in her own right.

Party insiders say she is part of a group of highly regarded candidates, including former cabinet minister Douglas Alexander and Shadow Scottish Secretary Ian Murray, who are expected to play significant roles in the future.

Walker is married to Morgan McSweeney, the man masterminding Sir Keir Starmer’s bid to become prime minister.

The Labour campaign director is credited with helping to transform the party following Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, purging hard-left candidates in a bid to make it more appealing to middle-ground voters.

Labour power couple

The pair, who live in rural South Lanarkshire with their young son, cut their political teeth in Lambeth, south London, where Walker eventually rose to become deputy leader of the local council.

McSweeney was charged with rebuilding the authority after it had for years been beset by mismanagement, corruption and an historical child abuse scandal.

But Walker’s unusual route into politics saw her first elected while already working as a professional actor.

Her credits include a role on Taggart alongside Alex Norton and Blythe Duff, as well as appearances on Doctors and The Big Read.

She is also an animal welfare activist who was a vice president of the RSPCA from 2010-2019 and founded the Animal Welfare Champions network in London.

Speaking to The Sunday Post, Walker said she hopes to capitalise on her past experience and keen interest in people.

She said: “I’ve been in the public sector, in the public service, for 20 years. First as a ward councillor, then as finance lead and deputy leader in Lambeth.

“More recently since I stepped down, I’ve been working nationally as a strategic adviser working on finance, governance and engagement in councils who need support or might be going through a turbulent time.

“I’m someone on every level who people would come to if they were in need of advice or help, and that’s something I would want to take forward with me if I’m elected.”

“I wouldn’t describe him as a friend.”

Imogen Walker on Sir Keir Starmer

Two of those strategic roles include appointments as interim head of the leader’s office at Croydon Borough Council and later Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council.

Both caused controversy over her apparent links to Starmer.

Walker says she would not describe the Labour leader as a personal friend but that he is someone she likes and admires.

“I think he’s an exceptional person and will be a brilliant prime minister,” she said.

Focused on success

McSweeney’s partnership with Starmer is on the brink of becoming one of the most successful in Labour’s modern history, with polls suggesting a huge victory on July 4.

But Walker is focused on her own ambitions, hoping to convince voters in Hamilton and Clyde Valley that her track record speaks for itself.

“I’m a candidate, he’s the campaign director,” she said.

“I don’t speak for him and he doesn’t speak for me. I’m doing this on my own merit, on my own strengths, and I’m going out and talking to people on the doorstep.

“I’m taking that forward as any other candidate would. The same responsibility will be on me, no more or less than any other candidate.”

Scottish Labour MSP Monica Lennon said: “Imogen is a really impressive candidate.

She brings a lot of experience and I think people want MPs who can represent the community but also go into government and have a track record of delivering. Imogen knows what to expect and can brill a lot of skills and experience.”

The other candidates standing in Hamilton and Clyde Valley are Lib Dem Kyle Burns, the SNP’s Ross Clark, UKIP’s Christopher Ho, Reform’s Lisa Judge and Conservative Richard Nelson.