Contributors
Thank you for your interest in Comment Central.
We only accept original comment pieces and ask that all submissions comply with the following guidelines:
- Pieces should not exceed 750 words
- Spell out names rather than using acronyms
- Links to further reading are permissible provided they are not commercial in nature
- Generic press releases are not accepted
- Product promotion is not accepted
- Comments about events, such as budgets, sporting occasions and international gatherings, need to be submitted during or very shortly after those events to be considered
What topics do Comment Central cover?
We are keen to hear a wide range of views and are particularly interested in comment pieces on the following topics:
- Politics and current affairs
- Environment
- Health and social care
- Education
- Business & technology
Author biography
- All submissions should be attached with your full name, headshot and a short biography
- We are happy to link to a personal or organisation website in the biography
All submissions should be sent to our Editorial team: editor@commentcentral.co.uk
Baroness Margaret Ritchie of Downpatrick is a Northern Irish politician with extensive experience in both devolved and Westminster politics. She served as Leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party from 2010 to 2011, having previously represented South Down as a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly between 2003 and 2012. During her time in the Assembly, she held the position of Minister for Social Development in the Northern Ireland Executive from 2007 to 2010. Ritchie went on to serve as Member of Parliament for South Down from 2010 to 2017, representing the constituency at Westminster throughout this period.
In 2019, she was appointed a life peer, initially sitting as a non-affiliated member of the House of Lords before joining the Labour benches in October 2021. Throughout her career, Baroness Ritchie has focused on social policy and the political development of Northern Ireland. She now writes commentary for Comment Central.
Baroness Ruth Deech DBE is Chair of the House of Lords Appointment Commission and a crossbench peer. A former Principal of St Anne’s College, Oxford, she has held key roles in legal and regulatory bodies, including the Bar Standards Board and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.
Baroness Sheehan is a British politician and life peer. She became chair of the Environment and Climate Change Committee in January 2024.
Barry John Sheerman is a British politician who represented Huddersfield constituencies in Parliament for forty-five years between 1979 and 2024, making him one of the longest serving MPs in recent history. A member of both the Labour and Co-operative parties, he initially served the Huddersfield East constituency before representing Huddersfield following boundary changes.
Born on 17 August 1940, Sheerman built a distinguished parliamentary career spanning more than four decades. Throughout his tenure as an MP, he became known for his focus on education policy and public sector reform, chairing the influential Education Select Committee and championing issues relating to skills, training and educational standards. His extensive experience in Parliament also saw him engage with matters of industrial policy, cooperative enterprise and regional development affecting his Yorkshire constituency. Barry Sheerman writes commentary for Comment Central.
Ben Ashton is the Founder and Director of GoodOaks Homecare, an award-winning homecare company focused on providing quality care to individuals in their own homes. GoodOaks are behind the launch of a new support campaign for unpaid carers: You Are Not Alone.
Dr Ben Atkins is the former President of the Oral Health Foundation and a general dental practitioner. He is also a long-standing Trustee for the charity, and owns a group of dental practices in the North West of England.
Ben is a PR and public affairs professional. He has significant experience of leading media and political campaigns that deliver change for charities, government and multinational businesses.
