Indian-born British Labour Party politician who has served as a Member of Parliament since 1997, known for his advocacy on human rights and social justice issues.
Virendra Sharma is a British-Indian Labour Party politician who has been a vocal advocate for race equality and social justice, serving as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ealing Southall from 2007 to 2024. Throughout his political career, Sharma has been a strong supporter of human rights, disability rights, and community cohesion.
Sharma was born on 5 April 1947 in Mandhali, Nawanshahr, Punjab Province, British India, into a Punjabi Hindu Brahmin family. He moved to the UK in 1968 and began his career as a bus conductor on the 207 route in Hanwell, Ealing, London. Later, he worked as a day services manager for people with learning disabilities in Hillingdon.
Sharma's political journey began when he joined the Liberal Party, later switching to the Labour Party. He served as a councillor in the London Borough of Ealing from 1982 to 2010 and held the position of Mayor. During his tenure, he focused on promoting race equality and social justice, earning him recognition as the Race Equalities Officer to the Labour Party nationally.
In 2007, Sharma was elected as the MP for Ealing Southall, securing 41.5% of the vote and a majority of 5,070. He was re-elected in 2010 with an increased vote share. During his parliamentary career, Sharma held various positions, including Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to the Minister of State at the Treasury and Home Office, Phil Woolas.
Sharma has faced criticism for his low attendance record as a councillor, which led to his decision to stand down in 2010. Additionally, he was criticized for signing a letter in support of the disgraced lawyer Shahrokh Mireskandari, for which he apologized, stating that he was not aware of the lawyer's controversial past.
Virendra Sharma's dedication to social justice and human rights has left a lasting impact on his constituents and the wider community. His commitment to promoting equality and challenging discrimination has earned him recognition as a champion of social justice.
Sharma's personal life has been marked by his strong family values and commitment to his community. He has been a resident of Ealing for over 40 years and has remained deeply involved in local issues, earning him the respect and admiration of his constituents.
"I will always stand up for what I believe in, even if it means going against the party line. That's what being a MP is all about – serving the people, not just the party."
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