Seven of Labour’s newest MPs look back on a ‘relentless’ first year

Seven of Labour’s new MPs, from left: Miatta Fahnbulleh, MP for Camberwell and Peckham; Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr’s Steve Witherden; Lowestoft’s Jess Asato; Buckingham and Bletchley’s Callum Anderson; Rachel Blake, MP for Cities of London and Westminster; Loughborough’s Jeevun Sandher, and Bournemouth West’s Jessica Toale. Photograph: Sean Smith/The Guardian

Labour’s first year back in power has been marked by high stakes and harsh realities.

Despite ambitious promises, the party has struggled to maintain the support of voters – reflected in low poll numbers and a near defeat on its big welfare legislation.