Sojan Joseph, a Kerala-born nurse who has resided in the United Kingdom since 2002, has been elected to the British Parliament after winning in the recently concluded UK elections.
Joseph secured victory in the Ashford constituency in Kent County as a Labour Party candidate, defeating veteran politician Damien Green, who previously held the seat for the Conservative Party.
At 49 years old, Joseph joins twenty-six other Indian-origin Members of Parliament elected to the House of Commons.
His win signifies a historic moment for the Labour Party, which has been out of power for 14 years, and for the Ashford constituency, where Joseph became the first Labour candidate to triumph in its 139-year history.
Originally from Kaipuzha, a small village in Kerala’s Kottayam district, Joseph has served as a mental health nurse in Kent’s National Health Service.
The Labour Party ended the Conservatives’ 14-year rule by ousting Rishi Sunak from power and securing seats well above the majority mark. Party leader Keir Starmer, who served as the prosecutor for England and Wales between 2008 and 2013, is on course to become the new prime minister of the country.
Family Celebrates Victory Back Home In Kerala
His father, KT Joseph, his three sisters, and other relatives gathered at the family home in Kerala were overjoyed upon hearing about his win.
“I am very happy. A Malayalee went there and won. He calls home everyday,” his proud father told the media on Friday.
His sisters recounted receiving a call from Sojan after his triumph, noting their prayers for his electoral success since learning of his candidacy.
“He has been there for 22 years. We were all praying for his win ever since we got to know that he is contesting in the election,” one of them said.
Another relative mentioned that Sojan joined the Labour Party due to his commitment to socialist ideals.
Sojan, who lost his mother Elikutty three months ago, had visited Kerala during that time. He moved to Britain after completing his nursing studies in Bengaluru in 2001 and has been working in the public sector since 2002.
Joseph’s wife, Brita, is also a nurse from Thrissur, Kerala. The couple have three children and currently reside in Kent.
(With inputs from agencies)
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