Mark Tami

Mark Richard Tami (born 3 October 1962) is a British Labour Party politician, who has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Alyn and Deeside since 2001.

Early life
Born in Enfield, Tami was educated at Enfield Grammar School (by then a comprehensive school), and graduated in history at the University of Wales, Swansea. He was previously National Head of Policy of the union Amicus, (previously the Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union.

Parliamentary career
Tami was first elected as MP for Alyn and Deeside in 2001 with a majority of 9,222, following the decision of the seat's former MP Stephen Barry Jones to step down from Parliament.

Tami was returned again as MP for Alyn and Deeside at the 2005 general election, with a reduced majority. He resigned his post as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Dawn Primarolo on 6 September 2006, due to the refusal by Tony Blair to name a date for stepping down as Prime Minister. He was joined by fellow Welsh MPs Ian Lucas and Wayne David in resignation.

Tami was promoted in the reshuffle by Gordon Brown in October 2008 to a whip. In the 2010 general election, Tami was re-elected for a third time, however with a further reduced majority of 2,919. Following the election, Labour leader Ed Miliband made Tami Pairing Whip.

Tami was re-elected as MP for Alyn and Deeside on 7 May 2015 at the general election with a slightly increased majority from 2010. In the 2017 general election, Tami was returned with a vastly increased majority of 5,235 votes and a 52.1% share of the vote.

During his lengthy spell in Parliament, Tami has very rarely rebelled against his party line, including voting in favour of Tony Blair's invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Expenses
During the MPs expenses scandal Tami was one of a number of MPs accused by the Daily Telegraph of over-claiming on council tax expenses for their second home. Tami said, "I will go back and calculate the exact level I have over-claimed in error and repay the sum involved". Tami was found to have claimed £1,500 more than he should have for council tax on his London home. It was also revealed that Tami had claimed £3,500 for a new bathroom and £220 on bedding and towels.

Personal life
He married Sally Daniels in July 1994 in Bromley and they have two sons. They live in Llanfynydd having lived in Bromley for many years. He is a former member of the TUC General Council and an active member of the Fabian Society.