LONDON, Sept 7: British Indian sustainable finance professional Rishi Madlani has emerged as the only British Indian contender in the race to succeed former prime minister Keir Starmer as the Member of Parliament for his London constituency.
Madlani, a former Labour Party councillor, is seeking to build on his longstanding ties with Holborn and St Pancras, where he has lived for 25 years since his student days. Starmer, who represented the constituency since 2015, triggered the by-election after resigning earlier this month to focus on “international affairs”.
“Holborn and St Pancras has been my home for 25 years, where my politics were shaped, where my activism began and where my commitment to public service was forged,” Madlani told PTI.
The 44-year-old climate action and sustainable finance professional said his experience as a local councillor had given him a close understanding of the challenges facing residents, including families, renters, workers and young people.
He also highlighted his professional background in economic and climate policy, arguing that it could help promote responsible investment, economic growth and stronger action on climate change.
Madlani has received backing from Labour Indians and Labour Friends of India, two diaspora organisations that have also underlined the constituency’s historic Indian connection.
The Labour Indians group noted that V.K. Krishna Menon, one of the most prominent Indian figures in British public life of his generation, served as a Labour councillor in St Pancras before becoming independent India’s first High Commissioner to the UK in 1947.
The organisation described Madlani’s candidacy as part of the continuing growth of British Indian participation in the Labour movement.
Madlani said he was proud of the contribution British Indians have made to Britain’s political, economic and cultural life, while stressing that his campaign is not based solely on his heritage.
“I am standing because I believe I have something to offer this constituency and to the Labour movement,” he said.
His priorities include expanding genuinely affordable and social housing, strengthening climate action, creating an economy that benefits working people and ensuring residents have equal opportunities to prosper.
“I want to take the experience I have built here over 25 years and put it to work in Parliament,” Madlani said.
The forthcoming by-election is expected to become a closely watched political contest. Green Party leader Zack Polanski has entered the race, viewing the seat as an opportunity to secure a place in the House of Commons.
The contest has already turned contentious, with Reform UK facing accusations of racism over remarks concerning another Labour contender, former Somali child refugee Sagal Abdi-Wali.
A shortlist of Labour candidates, followed by the final selection, is expected to be announced this week. The by-election is likely to be held in October.