Mick McCarthy is a member of the Labour Party and was elected to serve Marks Gate Ward in 2001 then transferred to Alibon Ward in 2002, where he stayed until 2006 when he transferred to Eastbrook Ward.

He is an Executive Member, with the Regeneration Portfolio, which covers Spatial Regeneration and Development, Thames Gateway, Skills and Enterprise, Lifelong Learning and Adult Education, Transport Planning Regeneration and Town Twinning. 

Councillor McCarthy sits on the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation, Thames Gateway London Partnership, Public Transport Liaison Group, Greater London Enterprise, Local Development Framework Steering Group, the Local Government Association’s Urban Commission and the London Council’s Transport & Environment Committee and Economic Development Forum.

He is also a Governor at All Saints Catholic School and Technology College and Rush Green Infants School.