The new baby of the House of Representatives: How Labour’s freshest MP, aged just 25, graduated from Oxford four years ago before working as a party researcher – while Tory Secretary Johnny Mercer derides the politician as a ‘repeat of The Inbetweeners’.

The newest and youngest Labor MP to become the ‘baby’ of the House of Commons was derided this morning by Tory Secretary Johnny Mercer as ‘a repeat of The Inbetweeners’.

Keir Mather, 25, who graduated from Oxford University just four years ago before working as a party researcher, won the Selby and Ainsty by-election last night.

But the young man, who is the first Labor MP born after Tony Blair took office as Prime Minister, has been warned not to expect a warm welcome from the Conservative benches when he travels to Westminster.

Mr Mercer, the Minister for Veterans Affairs, said Mr Mather – who will soon become the youngest Member of Parliament – “has been at Oxford University more than he has been in a job”.

He also hinted that the young politician was “inauthentic” and that he was “just relaying Labour’s lines”.

Keir Mather, 25, is set to become the ‘baby’ of the House of Commons after winning the Selby and Ainsty by-election for Labour

Johnny Mercer, the Minister for Veterans Affairs, said Mr Mather – who will soon become the youngest Member of Parliament – “has been more at Oxford University than in a job”.

Referring to the cult TV series, Mr Mercer added: “We must not become a repeat of The Inbetweeners.”

Mr Mather grew up in Hull and studied history and politics at Oxford University between 2016 and 2019 before spending a year working as a researcher for Labor MP Wes Streeting, who is now shadow health secretary.

Most recently he was a public affairs adviser to the Confederation of British Industry.

Asked by Sky News if he was looking forward to a new influx of young people in the House of Commons, Mr Mercer said: “It’s always good to bring new people into politics.”

Referring to the cult TV series, however, he added, “We can’t be a repeat of The Inbetweeners.” You have to have people who actually did things.

“This guy was more at Oxford University than a job.” They put a chip in him and he’s just passing Labor lines.

“The problem is that people are fed up with it.”

“You want people who are authentic, people who have worked in this constituency, who know what life is like, who understand what life is like, to live, work and raise families in communities like theirs. “

“So no, I’m afraid I don’t agree with this style of politics – that’s exactly why people like me didn’t vote before the 2015 election.”

“Because there are people who have nothing to do with the constituency who just walked in and gave them a chip and they’re going to start parroting Labor Party politics.”

Shortly after being declared the winner at Selby and Ainsty in North Yorkshire, Mr Mather said he hoped to be “a representative of the power that young people have to make a difference”.

Asked if he could fully understand voters’ concerns at the age of 25, he said: “Well, I’m a taxpayer too, I feel the pressure like anyone else.”