Peter Swallow

Peter Swallow (born 1993) is a British classicist, academic and politician who has served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bracknell since 2024. Before his election, he was a postdoctoral researcher specialising in the study of Aristotle. He is the first Labour Party MP for Bracknell.

Early life and education Swallow was born in Wokingham and grew up in Crowthorne. He studied classics at university, graduating with an undergraduate Master of Arts (MA Hons) degree from the University of St Andrews and a Master of Studies (MSt) degree from St Hilda's College, Oxford. He undertook a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree at King's College London, which he completed in 2020 with a doctoral thesis titled "The reception of Aristophanes in Britain during the long-Nineteenth century".

He is the author of Aristophanes in Britain: Old Comedy in the Nineteenth Century (Oxford University Press, 2023). He co-edited Aristophanic Humour: Theory and Practice (Bloomsbury Academic, 2020) with Edith Hall.

Prior to entering politics, Swallow held a postdoctoral position as Nomikos Research Associate at King's College London.

Political career At the 2024 general election, Swallow was elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bracknell with 14,783 votes (33.7%) and a majority of 784. Bracknell had previously only ever elected Conservative Party MPs; Swallow defeated James Sunderland. On the floor of the House of Commons, Swallow made his maiden speech in July 2024, describing it as “the honour of my life."

Swallow currently serves on several joint and Commons committees. This includes the Human Rights (Joint Committee); the Court of Referees; and the Norwich Livestock Market Bill [House of Lords] Committee. Previously, he was a member of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill [HL] Committee. During a debate on 16 June he was reprimanded by the Speaker for "pointing, shouting and bawling".

In the same month, Swallow voted in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which proposes to legalise assisted suicide. with the Speaker also referring to his poor behaviour in previous weeks.

Personal life Swallow is a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

Electoral history