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Satvir Kaur

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Satvir Kaur
MP
Official portrait, 2024
Member of Parliament
for Southampton Test
Incumbent
Assumed office
4 July 2024
Preceded byAlan Whitehead
Majority9,333 (26.0%)
Leader of Southampton City Council
In office
18 May 2022 – 20 December 2023
Preceded byDaniel Fitzhenry
Succeeded byLorna Fielker
Member of Southampton City Council
for Shirley
In office
6 May 2011 – 29 August 2024
Preceded byMatthew Dean
Succeeded byGeorge Percival
Personal details
BornSouthampton, Hampshire, England
Political partyLabour
Alma materUniversity of Southampton
Solent University

Satvir Kaur is a British Labour Party politician serving as the Member of Parliament for Southampton Test since 2024. She previously served as Leader of Southampton City Council from 2022 to 2023, being the first female Sikh leader of a local authority in Britain. She also represented Shirley on the City Council from 2011 until 2024.

Early life and education

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Kaur was born and raised in Southampton, England.[1] Her family owned a sari shop in the Bevois area of the city.[2]

Kaur was educated at Mount Pleasant Juniors and St Anne's Catholic School.[3] She graduated with a degree in Politics from the University of Southampton, and later Law from Solent University.[4]

Political career

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At the 2011 local elections, Kaur was elected to represent Shirley ward on Southampton City Council.[5] She gained the seat from the incumbent Conservative, and was re-elected in 2015 and 2019. Kaur campaigned for Hillary Clinton in North Carolina, USA ahead of the 2016 presidential election.[6]

After Labour lost control of Southampton City Council in 2021,[7] she was elected as leader of the Labour group.[8] Kaur became council leader once Labour regained their majority in 2022.[9][10] She was the first female Sikh council leader in Britain.[11]

Kaur was selected as Labour's prospective parliamentary candidate for Southampton Test in July 2022.[12][13] Later that year, she introduced party leader Keir Starmer ahead of his speech at the Labour Party Conference.[14]

In May 2023, Kaur stated as City Council leader that "we are not facing bankruptcy. To say otherwise is a lie and political opportunism".[15] In July 2023, Southampton City Council alerted the government over financial emergency.[16]

In December 2023, Kaur announced that she was stepping down as council leader in order to focus on campaigning for the general election.[17] She was succeeded by her deputy leader, Lorna Fielker.[18]

In July 2024 she was elected as the Member of Parliament for Southampton Test, succeeding Alan Whitehead.[19][20] She later resigned her seat on the council.[21] The by-election to replace her was held on 10 October 2024.[22] The seat was won by Liberal Democrat candidate George Percival.[23]

Political views

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Kaur supports establishing an investment zone in Southampton.[24] She has spoken at an event marking the positive contribution of refugees to her city.[25]

In September 2024, Kaur voted with the Government on the winter fuel allowance.[26] In November 2024, Kaur voted against the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.[27]

References

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  1. ^ "Southampton Test". Satvir Kaur. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  2. ^ Churchward, Sally (2022-05-26). "Satvir Kaur on her journey from inner city shop girl to the new leader of Southampton City Council". In-Common - Southampton. Retrieved 2024-02-16.
  3. ^ Churchward, Sally (2022-05-26). "Satvir Kaur on her journey from inner city shop girl to the new leader of Southampton City Council". In-Common - Southampton. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
  4. ^ "About Me". Satvir Kaur. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
  5. ^ "Councillor details - Councillor Satvir Kaur". www.southampton.gov.uk. 2023-06-28. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  6. ^ "Which Southampton politician is heading to the USA to help Clinton become first female president?". Daily Echo. 2016-10-28. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  7. ^ "Conservatives lose control of Southampton City Council after just one year in power". ITV News. 6 May 2022.
  8. ^ "Southampton Labour party elects new leader". Daily Echo. 2021-05-24. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  9. ^ "New Leader of Southampton City Council and Cabinet take office following 2022 Local Elections". www.southampton.gov.uk. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  10. ^ "Southampton council leader sets new vision for city". BBC News. 2022-05-25. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  11. ^ Samachar, Asia (2022-05-20). "Southampton elects Satvir Kaur as council leader, makes history as first female Sikh leader". Asia Samachar. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  12. ^ "Council leader launches bid to become Labour MP". Daily Echo. 2022-07-05. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  13. ^ "Council leader to fight Southampton Test seat at next general election". Daily Echo. 2022-07-10. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  14. ^ "Council leader makes party conference debut introducing Keir Starmer". Daily Echo. 2022-09-27. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  15. ^ "Bankruptcy claims are a lie, says city council leader, but tough decisions lie ahead". Daily Echo. 2023-05-20. Retrieved 2024-02-15.
  16. ^ "Southampton City Council alerts government over financial emergency". BBC News. 2023-07-12. Retrieved 2024-02-15.
  17. ^ "Council leader resigns ahead of general election". Daily Echo. 2023-12-20. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
  18. ^ "Council leader resigns ahead of general election". Daily Echo. 2023-12-20. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
  19. ^ "Southampton Test - General election results 2024". BBC News. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  20. ^ "UK Election: Record Number Of Indian-Origin MPs". NDTV.
  21. ^ "Southampton MP standing down as city councillor". BBC News. 2024-08-31. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
  22. ^ "Row over timing of MP's decision to step down as councillor". Daily Echo. 2024-10-01. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
  23. ^ "Full list of results for Southampton City Council Shirley by-election". Daily Echo. 2024-10-10. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
  24. ^ "Southampton investment zone plans: 'We'll fight for our fair share'". Daily Echo. 2022-09-27. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  25. ^ "Refugee parade celebrates city's rich history". BBC News. 2023-06-25. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  26. ^ Brown, Kat (2024-09-10). "How your MP voted on winter fuel payment cut". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-09-24.
  27. ^ "Southampton MPs vote against assisted dying bill: here's why". Daily Echo. 2024-11-29. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
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