Commentary and opinion on national and regional politics by Seema Malhotra

Friday 7 May 2010

A historic election - first Asian Women MPs elected

I'm sure this will get some coverage in the unravelling that follows the election results, but just for the record, this election is another historic first for Labour. On Labour results I've managed to check so far, we've seen four Asian women elected - Rushanara Ali in Bethnal Green and Bow with an astounding 11,500 majority, Shabana Mahmood, who has been a fearless candidate and who has won with a 10,000 majority in Birmingham Ladywood, Yasmin Qureshi in Bolton South and Valerie Vaz in Walsall South. You can find my previous Tribune/Compass piece on this democratic deficit here - and from me, well done Rush, Valerie, Shabana and Yasmin - really proud of you, and proud that you are Labour women.