Sojan Joseph
British politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sojan Joseph (born September 1983[1]) is a British–Indian politician and nurse who has been Member of Parliament (MP) for Ashford since 2024.[2] He is a member of the Labour Party and previously served[3] as a Councillor on Ashford Borough Council.
Sojan Joseph | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2024 | |
| Member of Parliament for Ashford | |
| Assumed office 4 July 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Damian Green |
| Majority | 1,779 (3.8%) |
| Member of Ashford Borough Council for Aylesford & East Stour | |
| In office May 2023 – September 2024 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Kerala, India |
| Party | Labour |
Early life and nursing career
Joseph was born in the Indian state of Kerala.[4] He emigrated to England and worked as a mental health nurse in the National Health Service.[5] Before his election to parliament, Joseph was the head of nursing for community mental health services at Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust.[6]
Political career
In May 2023, Joseph was elected as a Labour councillor for the Aylesford & East Stour Ward of Ashford Borough Council.[7] He stepped down as councillor in September 2024,[3] and the Labour lost the seat to the Green Party in the subsequent by-election.[8]
In the 2024 General Election, Joseph was elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Ashford with 15,262 votes (32.5%) and a majority of 1,779.[9] On 23 July 2024, he made his maiden speech in the House of Commons during a debate on immigration and home affairs.[10]
Joseph opposed Kim Leadbeater's bill introducing assisted suicide into law and served on the committee examining the legislation.[11]
