Jas Athwal, a Sikh British Asian man, has been voted in as the Labour MP for Ilford South after serving as leader of the Redbridge Council for over a decade.  

Athwal was declared the new MP on 5th July, with 16,537 votes and a lead of 6,984 over the nearest competitor, Independent Noor Jahan Begum, who came second with 9,643 votes.  

Athwal will continue as leader of the Council until 25th July, when a successor will be announced. Athwal did not comment on who will take over from him but confirmed that the decision lies with the controlling Labour group.  

Athwal initially took over as leader of the Redbridge Council in 2014 and first sought the Labour nomination for Ilford South in 2019, but unfortunately, Athwal was accused of impropriety, which was later found to be untrue, and lost the nomination to Sam Tarry.  

Later, in 2022, Tarry was deselected by the Labour Party and replaced by Athwal.  

After being elected, Athwal spoke about how he would “stand and fight for my neighbours” and would put “country above party and personal above politics.” He continued by stating that the newly elected Labour Government offered the opportunity and privilege to “shape a brighter future for Ilford and our country.”  

Athwal, to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), said: “The council cannot keep surviving, and not just this council, but all the councils.  

“We need to look at how the funding formula works. There are a lot of problems; where do you start?”  

He also pointed to tackling housing, crime, and NHS waiting lists as priorities for himself and the Labour government.  

He reflected on his election as a “long journey” and felt “relieved” that he had finally been elected after years of trying.  

Athwal’s appointment demonstrates the growing number of South Asians in influential positions within society and the UK Government.