Apsana Begum is the Labour MP for Poplar and Limehouse, having first been elected to parliament at the 2019 general election.

In the 2024 general election for Poplar and Limehouse, Begum received 18,535 votes, representing 43.1% of the vote share. The Green Party candidate, Nathalie Bienfait, received 5,975 votes (13.9%), while the Conservative candidate, Freddie Downing, secured 4,738 votes (11.0%). Begum was duly elected with a majority of 12,560 votes.

In this contest, Begum’s ex-husband, Ehtashamul Haque, stood against her as an independent candidate. He finished in fourth place with 4,554 votes (10.6%).

The Poplar and Limehouse constituency is located in the East End of London, within the Borough of Tower Hamlets. It covers areas including Limehouse, Poplar, Canary Wharf, and the Isle of Dogs. The constituency is known for its social and economic diversity and large British Bangladeshi population. It is historically a safe Labour seat, once represented by former Labour prime minister Clement Attlee.

Political Career

In July 2024, shortly after the general election of that year, Begum had the Labour whip withdrawn and was suspended from the parliamentary party after voting for an Scottish National Party (SNP) amendment to the king’s speech calling on the new Labour government to scrap the two-child benefit cap. In total, seven Labour MPs were suspended from the parliamentary party for supporting the SNP amendment, including Zarah Sultana, John McDonnell, Richard Burgon, Imran Hussain, Ian Byrne, Rebecca Long-Bailey and Begum.

In a social media post issued shortly before her suspension, Begum stated: “No child should be punished by poverty, but the two-child benefit cap does just that.

“It was always an immoral and obscene policy, that condemned more people to hardship. It should be abolished once and for all.”

In February 2025, the whip was restored to four of those suspended MPs – Hussain, Burgon, Byrne and Long-Bailey. However, Begum, alongside Sultana and McDonnell, remained as independent MPs because they had continued to be critical of the government, reports and briefings indicated.

In September 2025, the whip was restored to Begum and McDonnell. It came after Sultana announced she would co-found a new socialist party alongside Jermy Corbyn.

In January 2020, Begum wrote in a social media post that she had suffered from domestic abuse.

In July 2021, she was found not guilty on three counts of housing fraud following a trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court. In a statement, Begum said the trial “caused me great distress and damage to my reputation”.

She said: “As a survivor of domestic abuse facing these vexatious charges, the last 18 months of false accusations, online sexist, racist and Islamophobic abuse, and threats to my safety have been exceedingly difficult.”

“I also thank the jury for vindicating me, and the judge for presiding over this trial. I will be consulting and considering how to follow up so that something like this doesn’t happen again to anyone else.”

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In June 2022, while facing a potential local “trigger ballot” reselection process within the Labour Party (which she ultimately won), Begum stated she had been signed off work due to a “sustained campaign of misogynistic abuse”.

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Begum previously served on the House of Commons education select committee from 2020 to 2024.

Begum is listed as a member of the all-party parliamentary groups (APPGs) for Bangladesh and domestic violence and abuse.

Begum delivered her maiden speech on 5 March 2020 during a debate on International Women’s Day. In it, she paid tribute to the history of women’s struggles for social justice in East London.

Begum told the House: “It is in this tradition of socialism, community solidarity and action that I address the chamber today, having been the first British Bangladeshi woman elected as secretary of the Tower Hamlets Labour Party and now the first hijab-wearing Member of Parliament.”

She added: “As someone who has first-hand experience of the rise of Islamophobia over the past decades, it is alarming that racism, Islamophobia and antisemitism in particular are growing. While the [Conservative] government continue to use divisive politics, which has culminated in the hostile environment for migrants that led to the Windrush scandal, we know that the fight for justice and change is not over.”

A supporter of Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership of the Labour Party, she went on to praise his leadership and thanked him for “shifting the debate on austerity and public ownership towards a vision of a fairer and more equal society.”

Political Views

Leadership elections and loyalty

Starmer stand down: In May 2026, Begum publicly called for Keir Starmer, the prime minister, to step down/set out a timetable for his departure. The move followed the 2026 local elections and devolved elections to the Scottish Parliament and Senedd Cymru.

Labour leadership 2020: Begum was one of 33 Labour MPs who nominated Rebecca Long-Bailey for the party’s leadership in early 2020. The election was triggered by the resignation of Jeremy Corbyn following the party’s defeat in the 2019 general election, which resulted in Labour’s fewest seats in the House of Commons since 1935.

Long-Bailey, then the shadow business secretary, was widely regarded as the continuity candidate for the party’s left/Corbynite wing. Long-Bailey finished second with 27.6% of the vote, losing to Keir Starmer, who won a decisive victory in the first round with 56.2%.

Factional identity and party tradition

Socialist Campaign Group: Begum is a member of the Socialist Campaign Group (SCG) – the standard-bearer of the left wing within the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP). Founded in 1982 by followers of Tony Benn, the group has traditionally advocated policies such as widespread public ownership, wealth redistribution and strengthened trade union rights.

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Socialism26: In May 2026, Begum was a signatory of Socialism26, a political initiative and pressure group launched by a coalition of Labour MPs and general secretaries from several major affiliated trade unions, including Unison, Aslef, the CWU, the TSSA and the FBU. The group described itself as advocating a “programme for change” intended to facilitate a “progressive political reset” within the Labour Party. It called for a return to traditional socialist values and greater internal party democracy.

The initiative was built upon a set of policy demands, including urging the government to “recognise the genocide in Gaza”, deliver full compensation for the “Waspi” women affected by state pension age changes, protect civil liberties and embrace intervention to lower energy bills.

Socialism26 described this programme as “the bare minimum to ensure that the public can see and feel the difference a socialist government makes to their lives.”

Labour ‘reset’: In March 2026, Begum was among dozens of Labour parliamentarians to co-sign a statement calling for a “reset” in the party’s internal culture and political direction. The statement, supported by an alliance of MPs from both the Mainstream (“soft-left”) and Momentum (left) wings of the party, condemned what it saw as the “insular, centralising approach” of the leadership. It called on Labour to rebuild “basic democracy, pluralism and fair process within our party.”

The intervention followed a series of by-election results in Gorton and Denton, Runcorn and Helsby and Caerphilly.

The statement said: “We stand against the insular, centralising approach of the current leadership that refuses to draw on the energy, talent and ideas of our whole movement, the continued underfunding of public services and local government, and the pandering to the talking points of the far right.”

It added: “We, the undersigned members from every section of the Labour Party – parliamentarians, councillors, internal election candidates, members and trade unionists, pledge to reset the Labour Party.”

Corbyn suspension: In November 2020, Begum was among the 32 SCG MPs to sign a statement declaring that they opposed the suspension of Jeremy Corbyn and calling for the disciplinary action to be “swiftly reversed”.

The statement read: “This decision and the division it causes severely undermines efforts to unite to defeat antisemitism and fully implement the EHRC [Equality and Human Rights Commission] recommendations and to challenge and defeat this disastrous Conservative government.”

Corbyn’s suspension came after he issued a response to the EHRC report, arguing “the scale of the [antisemitism] problem was also dramatically overstated for political reasons by our opponents”.

Momentum endorsement: Begum was endorsed by the left-wing campaign group Momentum in the 2024 general election. Momentum was founded in 2015 to support the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn and to campaign for socialist policies within the Labour party.

Green new deal champion: Begum is listed as one of activist group Green New Deal Rising’s “cross-party green new deal champions”. GNDR is a progressive campaign organisation which promotes rapid decarbonisation and the transformation of the UK economy with a “Green New Deal” – a long-term plan to tackle climate change with large-scale public investment in renewable energy, green infrastructure and public services.

Spycops vote (2020): In October 2020, Begum was one of the 34 Labour MPs to break the party whip by voting against the covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill at its commons third reading. The proposed legislation, often referred to as the “spycops bill”, was introduced by the Conservative government to authorise undercover agents and informants to commit crimes while on operations. The Labour Party had whipped its representatives to abstain on the bill on the basis that the legislation is “far from perfect” yet “necessary” due to “the need to provide a clear lawful framework for the use of human intelligence sources”.

Brexit and Europe

Remain pledge: During the 2019 general election campaign, Begum was one of 193 Labour candidates to sign the anti-Brexit “Remain pledge”, drawn up by the campaign group Remain Labour.

It stated: “Labour is committed to a confirmatory referendum, to give you the final say on Brexit. If elected as your Labour MP, I pledge to campaign to Remain in the EU.”

Brexit trade deal: In December 2020, Begum was among the 37 Labour MPs to rebel against the leadership’s position on the EU (Future Relationship) Bill – which enabled the government to implement and ratify its post-Brexit trade deal with the EU. Keir Starmer, the newly elected Labour leader, argued that while the trade deal negotiated by Boris Johnson’s government was “thin” and flawed, the only alternative at that late stage was a “no-deal” exit. To enforce the leadership’s position, a three-line whip was imposed. Begum abstained over the bill. One Labour MP, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, voted against the bill.

Welfare

Welfare ‘reasoned amendment’ (June 2025): Begum, during her time as an independent MP, joined over 120 Labour MPs to sign the reasoned amendment to the government’s flagship welfare bill which aimed to reject the proposed legislation.

The amendment, in the name of senior Labour MP Dame Meg Hillier, objected to the fact that the bill had not been subject to a “formal consultation with disabled people” and that “250,000 people will be pushed into poverty” as a result of it, according to a government impact assessment.

The motion also called on the government to wait for the publication of the review into the Personal Independence Payment (Pip), helmed by minister Sir Stephen Timms, and the independent review, conducted by Sir Charlie Mayfield, into how the employment of disabled people could be boosted.

In May 2025, Begum had signed a letter warning the government that the cuts were “impossible to support” and calling for a change in direction.

The letter, signed by 42 Labour MPs, read: “The planned cuts of more than £7bn represent the biggest attack on the welfare state since George Osborne ushered in the years of austerity and over 3 million of our poorest and most disadvantaged will be affected.

“Whilst the government may have correctly diagnosed the problem of a broken benefits system and a lack of job opportunities for those who are able to work, they have come up with the wrong medicine. Cuts don’t create jobs, they just cause more hardship.”

Welfare vote (July 2025): Begum went on to vote against the bill at second reading. The vote came after ministers agreed to significant concessions to avoid defeat via a mass rebellion of Labour MPs on 1 July 2025.

Winter fuel payment EDM: In September 2024, Begum signed an early day motion (EDM) expressing concern over the government’s proposed changes to the winter fuel payment. The motion called on the government to “postpone the ending of winter fuel payments and establish a comprehensive strategy to tackle fuel poverty, health inequality and low incomes among older people.”

Assisted dying

Begum voted against the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, better known as the assisted dying bill, at both second reading (November 2024) and third reading (June 2025).

In a statement setting out her position, Begum said she believed the proposed legislation posed a “danger to those who may feel that dying is the only viable option due to a lack of available care or financial constraints.”

She added: “I believe that it is crucial that everybody can live with dignity and respect, and that the unique contribution that every individual makes is valued and cherished. Sadly, that this is not currently the case, is an indictment on our society.”

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Social values and conscience issues

Abortion decriminalisation (2025): Begum voted in favour of a backbench amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill that sought to decriminalise abortion in England and Wales in June 2025. The amendment, which was passed by a majority of 242 votes, removed women from the threat of prosecution for ending a pregnancy at any stage. As an issue of conscience, MPs were allowed to vote according to their personal beliefs.

Foreign policy and security

Nato-scepticism: In February 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Begum was one of 11 Labour MPs on the left of the party threatened with losing the party whip after they signed a statement by the Stop the War Coalition which criticised Nato, accusing the military alliance of “eastward expansion”.

All 11 MPs, Begum included, subsequently removed their signatures.

Palestine

Palestinian recognition letter (July 2025): In July 2025, Begum was among the over 254 MPs to sign a cross-party letter calling for the government to immediately recognise the state of Palestine. The letter called on the prime minister and foreign secretary to recognise Palestine at the UN Conference then taking place in New York.

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Palestine Action vote: In July 2025, Begum was one of 26 MPs to vote against the proscription of Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act of 2000. The ban, passed by 385 votes to 26, came after the Home Office accused the group of “aggressive and intimidatory attacks against businesses, institutions and the public”. However, civil liberties organisations argued proscription represented an overreach of state power and a threat to the right to protest.

Ceasefire vote (November 2023): Begum was among 56 Labour MPs to vote in favour of a Scottish National Party (SNP) amendment to the King’s Speech in the House of Commons calling for an “immediate ceasefire” in the Israel-Hamas war – defying the instruction set out by the party’s frontbench. Labour had tabled its own motion, making a more moderate appeal for a “humanitarian pause” in the conflict and ordered its representatives to support that stance.

Civil liberties

Covid passes campaign (2021): Begum was one of over 70 MPs and peers who launched a cross-party campaign against the “divisive and discriminatory use” of Covid passes in April 2021. The campaign was triggered by government reviews into “vaccine passports”, which signatories argued would create a two-tier society and infringe upon fundamental civil liberties.

Covid passes vote (2021): Begum was one of 126 MPs to vote against Covid passes in England in December 2021. The measure, introduced by Boris Johnson’s government, was carried by 369 votes to 126.

Before Politics

Born on 25 May 1990 in Shadwell, east London, to Bangladeshi parents, Begum graduated with a degree in politics from Queen Mary University of London in 2011 and completed a postgraduate diploma in law and community leadership at SOAS University of London in 2012.

Before entering parliament, Begum worked for Tower Hamlets council in executive support and administration (2011-2013).

Begum was later a workforce diversity project officer for Tower Hamlets Homes (2014-2015) and an equality and diversity officer at Queen Mary University of London (2016-2018).

Personal Life

Begum married Ehtashamul Haque, then a Tower Hamlets councillor, in 2013; they divorced in 2015.

She has publicly stated she is a survivor of domestic abuse.

Trivia

Begum was the first MP to wear a hijab in the House of Commons.

She is also reported to be the first MP to speak the Sylheti language, commonly spoken by British Bangladeshis, in Parliament.

Speaking in a parliamentary debate marking international mother language day, Begum said: “I begin my remarks by speaking the language of my parents – Sylheti – for what I understand could be for the first time in a UK parliamentary debate by simply saying: ‘Ekta basha kuno dino jotheshto oy na’.

“In English, that means, ‘One language is never enough’.”