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.

Neil Kinnock joins Rusharana Ali at launch - Uniting the East End

I joined Rushanara Ali at her launch event, which was held in a packed community centre in East London. It wasn't the first time I've been out with Rushanara - an old friend and someone who continues to hugely inspire me. She's standing in Bethnal Green and Bow, Labour's target seat no 32. It's currently got a notional Respect majority and is one of the most deprived constituencies in the country. The UK Polling Report website explains how it loses the Tower of London, St Katharine's Docks, Wapping and part of Shadwell to Poplar and Canning Town. With 11 candidates and some complex community politics, she faces a real challenge winning back the seat for Labour. But if she pulls it off, it wont be long before the people of Bethnal Green and Bow feel the impact on their lives of her political leadership and influence.