In a historic victory, Sojan Joseph from Kottayam, Kerala, has been elected to the British Parliament, representing the Ashford constituency. Joseph, a Labour Party candidate, won the seat previously held by the Conservative Party with a majority of 1,779 votes, marking a significant achievement as the first Malayali to join the House of Commons.
Despite the Conservative Party’s loss in the British Parliament elections, which saw Rishi Sunak, of Indian descent, lose his prime ministership, Joseph’s win is a notable achievement. The Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer, won 412 out of 650 seats, making Starmer the new British Prime Minister.
Sojan Joseph, who is the Head of Mental Health Nursing in the British Health Department, has had a distinguished career in healthcare. He completed his nursing course in Bengaluru after finishing his college studies in Kottayam and moved to London in 2001. Over the years, Joseph has been actively involved in social welfare activities alongside his professional duties.
Joseph joined the Labour Party in 2015 and first contested the Local Council election in 2021, though he did not win. He ran again in the 2023 Local Council election for Ashford East Borough and emerged victorious, becoming a Labour Councillor.
His election to the House of Commons has been met with joy and celebration by his family and the local community in Kerala. They have noted his long-standing interest in social welfare activities, which ultimately led him to join the Labour Party and pursue a career in politics.
Sojan Joseph’s success adds to the growing presence of individuals of Indian origin in the leadership of developed countries, highlighting their increasing influence and contribution to global politics.
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