Rupa Asha Huq MP is a distinguished British politician, academic, and media personality, serving as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ealing Central and Acton since 2015. She has been re-elected three times, marking her strong connection with her constituents in West London.
Born on April 2, 1972, in London to Bangladeshi immigrant parents, Rupa Huq was raised in Ealing, where her father ran a restaurant. She attended Montpelier Primary School, Notting Hill and Ealing High School, and went on to earn a BA in Political and Social Sciences and Law from Newnham College, Cambridge, in 1993. Huq continued her academic journey with a Ph.D. in cultural studies from the University of East London in 1999, focusing on youth culture. Her early career also included working for the Labour Party at the European Parliament, shadowing MEP Carole Tongue.
Huq’s academic career spanned several institutions, including Victoria University of Manchester and Kingston University, where she lectured in sociology and criminology. Her research focused on pop music, youth culture, and identity, with a particular appreciation for David Bowie. Her book Beyond Subculture: Youth, Pop, and Identity in a Post-Colonial World received recognition, as did her later works, Making Sense of Suburbia through Popular Culture and contributions to political publications.
Her political journey began with candidacies in the 2004 European Parliament elections, the 2005 general election, and a local council seat in Ealing in 2010. In 2015, Huq won a landmark victory, defeating incumbent Angie Bray with 22,002 votes. As an MP, she became an influential voice on issues such as Heathrow expansion, global warming, and Brexit, aligning with fellow MPs like Vince Cable on key concerns.
Huq has also served in key roles, including as Vice-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Music Group and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Crossrail, and as Shadow Home Minister in 2016. She is known for her work on the Justice Select Committee and her advocacy for proportional representation and educational reform.
Fluent in English, Bengali, French, and Hindi, Rupa Huq combines her academic background, media experience, and political activism to address social, environmental, and cultural issues. Her diverse career and passionate dedication make her a prominent figure in British politics.