Mary was first elected as the Member of Parliament for North Tyneside at the 2010 General Election, at the 2024 general election Mary was elected as the Member of Parliament for Newcastle Upon Tyne East and Wallsend.

Mary’s husband Ray sadly passed away in 2020, Mary is a loving mother and grandmother. Before serving as an MP Mary was a Councillor in the Battle Hill ward on North Tyneside Council.

In Parliament Mary has served as a Shadow Minister and as a member of the Whips team. Mary has sat on many Parliamentary committees and chairs a number of All Party Parliamentary groups.