Harpreet Uppal is the Labour MP for Huddersfield, having first been elected to parliament at the 2024 general election.

In the 2024 general election, Uppal won 15,101 votes, representing 37.6% of the vote. The Green Party candidate, Andrew Cooper, received 10,568 votes (26.3%), while the Conservative candidate, Tony McGrath, secured 6,559 votes (16.3%). Uppal was duly elected with a majority of 4,533.

The Huddersfield constituency is located in West Yorkshire. It has been represented by the Labour Party continuously since 1983. Uppal’s immediate predecessor as the MP for Huddersfield was Barry Sheerman of the Labour Party.

Political Career

Uppal currently serves as an assistant government whip. She was appointed to this role in July 2026, following the Labour leadership contest and Andy Burnham’s elevation as prime minister.

Uppal served as a parliamentary private secretary (PPS) in the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government from July 2024 to September 2025. She was Angela Rayner’s PPS during her tenure as housing secretary. Upon Rayner’s resignation in September 2025, she described her former boss as a “power house in our Labour movement”.

Uppal stated: “As a new MP it was daunting coming to Westminster & she was one of the first to put her arms around me and tell me I belonged here too.

“Angela has a legacy to be proud of – from the Renters Rights Bill to Employment Rights and Devolution – her impact has been profound.

“I know there is so much more to come from you. Thank you for being the best boss anyone could ask for.”

Uppal delivered her maiden speech on 4 November 2024 during the budget debate.

In it, she stated: “Teenagers and young people across Huddersfield and the country have been dealt a tougher hand than previous generations. We must work to halve knife crime and youth violence, but beyond policing the focus should be on creating positive environments where young people can grow and thrive.”

She added: “My journey to this House is one that speaks to the values of opportunity and fairness. Like many in Huddersfield, my family worked hard to give me the chance to succeed.

“At Fartown high school, my teacher Mrs Perry pushed me and my ambitions, and a Labour government helped me on my way. I am determined to repay that debt.”

Before entering parliament, Uppal served as a Labour councillor on Kirklees Council from May 2018 to May 2022.

Uppal worked as the office manager for Labour MP Debbie Abrahams from 2014 to 2024. She also worked on Andy Burnham’s successful campaign to become Mayor of Greater Manchester from 2016 to 2017.

Political Views

Factional identity and party tradition

Fair elections APPG: Uppal has been listed as a supporter of the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) for fair elections – a cross-party group of MPs and peers that campaigns for electoral reform. The group’s stated aims include replacing the first past the post (FPTP) voting system with a form of proportional representation, eliminating “dark money” and “undemocratic influence” from politics, and countering disinformation.

Welfare

Welfare vote (July 2025): Uppal voted in favour of the government’s flagship welfare 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.

Assisted dying

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

Social values and conscience issues

Abortion decriminalisation (2025): Uppal 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.

Before Politics

Uppal was born and raised in the Fartown area of Huddersfield. She attended Fartown High School.

Uppal studied politics at Nottingham Trent University, graduating in 2003. She obtained a master’s degree in international politics from the University of Bradford in 2005.

Uppal worked for NHS England before entering frontline politics.

Personal Life

Uppal is Sikh.

Uppal’s mother worked as a care worker.

Trivia

Uppal is the first woman to represent the Huddersfield constituency in parliament.