A historic surge of Indian-origin politicians swept through the UK’s House of Commons this week as the Labour Party staged a resounding comeback after 14 years in the political wilderness. The election results delivered a significant blow to the Conservative party, with several prominent figures, including former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, managing to survive amidst the turmoil. However, the Labour party’s surge was marked by a wave of new faces and a record number of Indian-origin MPs.
Among the most notable wins was the historic victory of Kerala-born Sojan Joseph, who became the first Labour candidate to secure the Ashford constituency in its 139-year history. Joseph’s victory was a testament to his hard work and dedication, particularly considering he defeated veteran politician Damien Green. Celebrations erupted in Kerala, the state from where Joseph hails, as news of his triumph reached the small village of Kaipuzha where he grew up. Having resided in the UK since 2002, Joseph works as a mental health nurse with the Kent National Health Service.
Beyond Joseph’s triumph, a total of 28 British Indians were elected to Parliament, with the Labour Party leading the charge. Party veterans like Seema Malhotra (Feltham and Heston) and Lisa Nandy (Wigan) successfully retained their seats, while Goan-origin Valerie Vaz clinched the newly formed Walsall and Bloxwich constituency.
The election also saw a strong showing from British Sikh MPs, with Preet Kaur Gill and Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi winning their seats back for the Labour party. Other Labour MPs re-elected with convincing majorities include Navendu Mishra (Stockport) and Nadia Whittome (Nottingham East).
A host of first-time Labour Party MPs also made their mark on the House of Commons. These include Jas Athwal (Ilford South), Baggy Shanker (Derby South), Satvir Kaur (Southampton Test), Harpreet Uppal (Huddersfield), Warinder Juss (Wolverhampton West), Gurinder Josan (Smethwick), Kanishka Narayan (Vale of Glamorgan), Sonia Kumar (Dudley), Sureena Brackenbridge (Wolverhampton North East), Kirith Entwistle (Bolton North East), Jeevun Sandher (Loughborough), and Sojan Joseph (Ashford).
The election results represent a significant shift in the UK’s political landscape, with the Labour Party poised for a new era of leadership. The rise of Indian-origin politicians across the political spectrum reflects the growing diversity and representation within British society.
