Her first foray into politics came in 2009, when she contested a by-election for Preston ward on North Tyneside Council, losing to Conservative David Sarin.

She succeeded the party's former MP Stephen Hepburn, who had been prevented from standing again over allegations of misconduct.

[11] She served until the front bench reshuffle following Keir Stamer's election as Labour Leader in April 2020.

[13] During the June 2022 rail strikes, Osborne joined a picket line with railway workers, reportedly going against orders from her party not to do so.

[19] On 16 March 2020, Osborne became the second British Member of Parliament to test positive for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), after Conservative Nadine Dorries.