Did the UK Just Elect Its Most Diverse Parliament Yet?
The recent UK election has made history. Keir Starmer's Labour Party brought in the most diverse parliament ever. This win ends 14 years of Conservative leadership. It sets a new standard for representation.
For the first time 13% of MPs are from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority backgrounds. This is an increase from 10% in 2019. It's the largest proportion of ethnic minority MPs in UK history. But it still doesn't match the 18% of the population in England and Wales from these backgrounds.
In the last 44 years the minority representation in parliament has grown from zero to nearly one in seven MPs. Sunder Katwala who is director of British Future said that "This election is a significant milestone. Our parliament is becoming more like our society."
The election also saw a record number of female MPs. There are now 242 women in parliament which is 22 more than in 2019. Diane Abbott who is the UK's first Black female MP continues her long service. She will be the 'mother of the house' and the longest-serving female MP.
Labour won about 412 seats.It gave them a strong majority of 174. They have 66 ethnic minority MPs out of 87 elected. This makes them the party with the most diverse representation.
The Conservative Party has been noted for its diverse leadership. They had three female Prime Ministers and the first British-Indian Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. In his farewell speech Sunak said that "It’s remarkable how it’s now considered normal for someone like me with immigrant grandparents to become Prime Minister."
Rachel Reeves will become the UK's first female Chancellor of the Exchequer. This is another historic first.
Under Keir Starmer's leadership this parliament steps towards a more inclusive and representative government. It showcases the evolving diversity of the UK.
