As the United Kingdom (UK) gears up for the 2024 UK Elections on July 4, the Labour Party stands poised for success. Amidst this political shift, Indian-origin Members of Parliament (MPs) continue to play a crucial role in shaping the country’s legislative agenda.

The outgoing UK Parliament featured 15 Indian-origin MPs, eight from Labour and seven from the Conservative Party, marking a significant diversity milestone in British political history. These MPs represent a community of 1.8 million-strong, contributing over 6% to the GDP despite comprising only 3% of the UK population.

2024 UK Elections
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Notable Indian-origin politicians have left their mark. Rishi Sunak’s historic appointment as the UK’s first prime minister of color in 2022 stands out. Data reveals that Indian households lead in high-income brackets, further emphasizing their economic and potentially influential political footprint.

A glance at Indian-origin MPs

Despite facing voter dissatisfaction after 14 years in power, the Conservatives feature prominent Indian-origin MPs seeking re-election. Figures like Shailesh Vara, Alok Sharma, Priti Patel, and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak have made their mark.

In an unprecedented win for the Labour party, there is a significant increase in the number of Indian-origin MPs and first-time candidates. Navendu Mishra, Preet Kaur Gill, and Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi are among those representing diverse constituencies. Labour has introduced new candidates like Rajesh Agarwal, Baggy Shanker, and Shama Tatler. The party has also nominated Islington councillor Praful Nargund to contest against former leader Jeremy Corbyn, who is now running as an Independent. Additionally, Munira Wilson, re-elected from Twickenham, leads the Indian-origin candidates nominated by the Liberal Democrats.

Controversies surround Indian-origin politicians, including Labour’s Sonia Kumar and former MP Keith Vaz. Despite challenges, Labour aims to woo British Indian voters by rebuilding relationships, focusing on domestic issues, and criticizing the incumbent Conservatives under Rishi Sunak.

The Hindu community within the Indian diaspora plays a pivotal role. A coalition of 29 Hindu organizations released the “Hindu Manifesto UK 2024,” advocating for recognition of anti-Hindu hate crimes and equal representation. With over a million members, British Hindus represent 3% of the population and are expected to influence election outcomes.

Indian-origin Members of Parliament are addressing several critical issues, including anti-Hindu hate, immigration policies, and educational reform. Efforts are being made to enhance UK-India trade relations and improve access to healthcare and social welfare programs. As the political landscape evolves, these MPs are striving to make a lasting impact on British society.

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