Early Life and Education
Born on October 31, 1993, in Birmingham, Zarah Sultana grew up in the Lozells area—a vibrant, working-class neighborhood shaped by the waves of migration that fueled Britain’s industrial rise. Her family’s story began with her grandfather, who emigrated from the village of Thub in Azad Kashmir to Birmingham in the 1960s, becoming part of the backbone of the UK’s motor industry. Sultana’s upbringing, alongside three sisters, immersed her in community values and exposed her to the challenges faced by British-Pakistani families.
Attending Holte School and then King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for sixth form, Sultana demonstrated early leadership and curiosity. At 17, a formative trip to the West Bank and Jerusalem exposed her to the realities of military occupation and human rights abuses, galvanizing her commitment to activism. She would later attend the University of Birmingham, pursuing International Relations and Economics amid soaring tuition fees—a flashpoint fueling her entrance into politics as a student leader.
Political Awakening and Activism
The coalition government’s decision to triple university tuition fees to £9,000 in 2011 marked a turning point for Sultana. As an A-level student, she joined the Labour Party, catalyzed by a drive to challenge inequalities in education and society. On campus, Sultana emerged as a powerful voice in student politics, elected to the National Executive Councils of Young Labour and the National Union of Students. Her early activism focused on free education, anti-racism, and supporting marginalized communities.
After graduating, Sultana worked in retail, pursued community organizing in the West Midlands, and fought to preserve public services. Witnessing firsthand the impact of austerity and wage stagnation, she helped lead protests against service cuts, setting the foundation for her parliamentary ambitions.
Journey to Westminster: Coventry South
In October 2019, Sultana was selected as the Labour candidate for Coventry South, buoyed by strong grassroots support and backing from major unions including Unite and Momentum. Her campaign—focused on justice, equality, and neighborhood renewal—resonated with local voters despite some controversy over past student social media posts. She won the seat in December 2019 by a razor-thin margin of 401 votes, becoming one of the youngest MPs at just 26.
Parliamentary Career: Defiance and Determination
As the new MP for Coventry South, Sultana wasted no time establishing herself as a principled campaigner on the political left. She joined the Socialist Campaign Group and served as its chairperson from 2020 to 2025. Her speeches, writings, and interventions in Parliament have emphasized themes of poverty, inequality, climate justice, anti-racism, and workers’ rights.
Sultana championed progressive causes, from free school meals and winter fuel payments for pensioners to climate action and peace-based foreign policy. She spoke movingly on the floor of the House of Commons about receiving Islamophobic hate and abuse, breaking down in tears as she recounted threats and racist invective. Vogue magazine profiled her as one of Labour’s most outspoken critics of government policy, and she became a regular voice in debates about the cost-of-living crisis, education, and health.
Her opposition to party leadership decisions often placed her at odds with Labour’s centrist faction. In July 2024, she joined six other MPs in voting to scrap the two-child benefit cap, leading to the suspension of her party membership and prompting her resignation from Labour in July 2025.
Co-Founding a New Political Movement
In a bold move for British politics, Sultana co-founded a new party in July 2025 alongside Jeremy Corbyn, former Labour leader. The new party—informally called Your Party in its initial phase—aims to rejuvenate progressive politics amid growing frustration with the mainstream party establishment. This coalition seeks to prioritize social justice, economic equality, and a more humane international stance, offering an alternative to Labour’s perceived centrism.
Sultana’s decision marked a seismic shift, positioning her as a figurehead for the “independent left” and ensuring that her advocacy for the most vulnerable remains at the forefront of parliamentary debate.
Values and Advocacy
Sultana’s politics are deeply rooted in lived experience. She is guided by principles of solidarity, anti-racism, feminism, and compassion. Her public speeches often connect personal narrative to policy, highlighting the ways discrimination, Islamophobia, and austerity affect ordinary lives.
She has persistently campaigned for:
- Free school meals for children nationwide.
- Abolition of punitive welfare measures, such as the two-child benefit cap.
- Increased funding for public services, especially health and education.
- Action on climate change and transition to green energy.
- Inclusive immigration and refugee support policies.
Sultana has also served as a voice for British Muslim communities, confronting Islamophobia in politics and the media. She brings visibility to the struggles of women of color and calls for greater representation of minorities in positions of power.
Public Image and Media Coverage
Sultana’s rapid ascent has attracted both fierce support and intense criticism. Major outlets like Vogue and The Guardian have described her as one of the most left-wing and outspoken new MPs. Her constituency work—holding regular surgeries and providing hands-on support—has earned her respect across Coventry South.
Still, Sultana has faced online and public abuse, including death threats, racist slurs, and constant challenges to her legitimacy as a British representative. She has responded by amplifying her campaigns, forging alliances with activists, and supporting grassroots movements.
Personal Life
Zarah Sultana remains private about her personal life, declining to disclose details about relationships in interviews. Her family, faith, and friends form the backbone of her support network. Practicing Islam, she connects her belief system to her advocacy for justice and equality. Though active on social media platforms such as Instagram, X (Twitter), Facebook, and YouTube, her public-facing communications are focused on policy, activism, and constituency issues.
Awards, Honours, and Influence
Sultana’s prominence as a young, female, Muslim MP has already changed the landscape of British politics. She is regarded within progressive circles as a role model for marginalized communities and a “breath of fresh air” challenging the status quo. Her achievements as a lawmaker and campaigner, from chairing the Socialist Campaign Group to co-founding a new political party, will remain influential for years.
Challenges and Resilience
The path for Sultana has not been easy. Navigating institutional resistance, media scrutiny, and online hate, she has remained steadfast. Her experiences with threat and intimidation have turned into powerful testimony in Parliament, helping shape policy responses to hate crime and discrimination.
Legacy and Future
With her move from Labour to the independent left, Sultana represents the next chapter of British progressive politics. Her commitment to economic justice, equality, and climate action places her among the new wave of leaders intent on transformation—not just reform. Whether in Westminster or grassroots campaigns, Sultana continues to advocate for Coventry South and communities nationwide.
Her future promises more challenges—and even more opportunities for change.