Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Asians among Vogue's list of women MPs 'determined to change Britain'

Apsana Begum, Zarah Sultana, Nadia Whittome, and Uma Kumaran are featured in the list

Asians among Vogue's list of women MPs 'determined to change Britain'

ASIAN MPs are among the British Vogue's women lawmakers featured as those "determined to change Britain for the better."

MPs Apsana Begum, Zarah Sultana, Nadia Whittome, and Uma Kumaran have been highlighted in the magazine's September issue, which profiles 13 lawmakers.


The publication describes these women as individuals "determined to change the country," drawing parallels to past generations of female parliamentarians who left a significant impact.

Uma Kumaran, 38, the MP for Stratford and Bow, stands out as the first British politician of Sri Lankan Tamil descent. Kumaran’s parents fled the Sri Lankan civil war in the 1980s, and her election has been met with widespread support from the Tamil diaspora.

“You feel the weight of history. I’ve seen an incredible outpouring of support from the Tamil diaspora," London-born Kumaran told the Vogue.

The “Vogue 13” includes a mix of newly elected and returning MPs. Notably, Begum, 34, MP for Poplar and Limehouse, is recognised as the first hijab-wearing MP in the UK, and Louise Haigh, the 37-year-old transport secretary, is the youngest member of prime minister Sir Keir Starmer’s Cabinet.

Sultana, 30, is the MP for Coventry South and currently chairs the Socialist Campaign Group. She is presently suspended by the Labour party. Whittome, 27, represents Nottingham East and was previously known as the 'Baby of the House' after being elected in 2019 at just 23- years-old.

Elsie Blundell, who was six months pregnant at the time of the photoshoot, and Rosie Wrighting, the youngest female MP in the Commons at 27, add to the diverse representation within this group.

According to the magazine, women MPs faced the challenge of balancing their well-being with the intense demands of the campaign. Begum expressed concerns over the continued spread of racist rhetoric, revealing that she was subjected to racial abuse and harassment during her campaign.

Her ex-husband, whom she described as controlling, even ran against her as an independent candidate.

As Labour returned to power, the enormity of the challenges ahead looms large. Nadia Whittome sees this as both a "generational opportunity and responsibility," particularly in addressing the climate crisis, cost of living issues, and child poverty.

Sultana, who saw her majority increase significantly, highlighted the soaring costs of living, while Taiwo Owatemi, a pharmacist, stressed the severe under-resourcing in the NHS, drawing from personal family experiences.

The photoshoot, which took place shortly after Labour’s landslide victory last month, shows a different side of these MPs.

Tony Blair's "Blair Babes" in 1997 and David Cameron's "Cuties" in 2010 were similarly highlighted as symbols of change within their respective parties.

Since the photoshoot, two of the featured MPs, Apsana Begum and Zarah Sultana, have faced repercussions within their party. Both MPs had the Labour whip withdrawn after voting against the party line on a key issue, highlighting the challenges that even these high-profile MPs face as they navigate their new roles.

Louise Haigh, reflecting on the changes within the Labour Party, stressed the broader significance of the new intake. She noted that the new government is not only more female but also more representative of the country as a whole.

For Haigh, this marks a departure from previous cabinets, bringing a more "normal" representation to British politics.

More For You

Police Recover £1M Stolen Jewellery in Hounslow, Owners Sought

The jewellery was largely taken from London’s South Asian community in Hounslow between 2023 and 2024. (Photo: Met Police)

Stolen jewellery worth £1m recovered in Hounslow, police seek owners

POLICE are seeking to reunite stolen jewellery worth over £1 million with its rightful owners after recovering the items during a proactive operation across London and the home counties.

The recovered collection includes identifiable pieces such as a World War One officer’s Rolex watch, a gold locket containing old pictures, an engraved gold ring, and an engraved gold pocket watch from Harlow Bros Ltd.

Keep ReadingShow less
british-muslims

The initiative aims to track incidents, raise awareness of hate crime, and provide better victim support.

iStock)

Government announces fund to combat anti-Muslim hate

THE UK government has announced a new fund to monitor anti-Muslim hate and support victims, with applications opening on 7 April.

The initiative aims to track incidents, raise awareness of hate crime, and provide better victim support.

Keep ReadingShow less
Probe launched over racist broadcast at Kent asylum centre

FILE PHOTO: Entrance of Manston short-term holding centre for migrants, near Ramsgate in southeast England. (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)

Probe launched over racist broadcast at Kent asylum centre

AUTHORITIES have launched an investigation following reports that a racist message was broadcast over portable radios at an asylum processing centre in Kent.

The incident occurred at the Manston site, where small boat arrivals are processed by the Home Office and its contractor, Mitie, reported The Guardian.

Keep ReadingShow less
Protest against dog crackdown ahead of Modi's Sri Lanka visit

Sri Lankan animal rights activists take part in a demonstration in Colombo on April 3, 2025, to protest the round-up of stray dogs a day ahead of a visit by Narendra Modi. (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)

Protest against dog crackdown ahead of Modi's Sri Lanka visit

SRI LANKAN animal rights activists marched on Thursday (3) to protest the round-up of stray dogs a day ahead of a visit by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi.

Authorities in Colombo and the Buddhist pilgrim city of Anuradhapura have reportedly deployed dog catchers to impound hounds ahead of Modi's visit, which begins on Friday (4).

Keep ReadingShow less
modi-trump-getty

Donald Trump and Narendra Modi hold a joint press conference in the East Room at the White House on February 13, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Explained: Impact of US tariffs on Indian exports

The United States has announced a 27 per cent reciprocal tariff on Indian goods entering the American market.

Industry experts have said these duties will pose challenges for Indian exports, though India's position remains more favourable than some of its competitors.

Keep ReadingShow less