Lisa Nandy, a British MP of Indian descent, has been re-elected in Wigan, northwest England, and appointed as Culture Secretary in Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Cabinet. Following Labour Party’s significant victory in the UK Elections 2024, she is one of 11 women appointed by Starmer to key positions. Nandy expressed her gratitude on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting the richness of Britain’s cultural and sporting heritage as a national asset.
Born in Manchester, Nandy’s father, Dipak Nandy, hailed from Kolkata, West Bengal, while her mother, Luise Byers, is British. She emphasized the multicultural fabric of Britain during her remarks, acknowledging the contributions of immigrants, including her father, who arrived from India in the 1950s and played a role in shaping policies like the Race Relations Act.
Nandy holds a Master’s degree from Birkbeck, University of London, and has a background in policy advising, having served as a Senior Policy Adviser at The Children’s Society from 2005 to 2010, focusing on issues affecting young refugees. From 2006 to 2010, she held the position of Labour Councilor in Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council.
First elected in 2010, Nandy became one of the earliest Asian female MPs, marking a significant milestone in British political history. Her re-election underscores her enduring influence and commitment to public service, now elevated to a pivotal role in shaping Britain’s cultural policies as Culture Secretary under Starmer’s leadership.
