Sojan Joseph: From nurse to first Keralite to become MP in the UK Parliament
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Sojan Joseph, originally from Kerala, has made history by becoming the first Keralite to be elected to the British Parliament. Joseph, a nurse who migrated to the United Kingdom two decades ago, contested as a Labour Party candidate in the recently concluded UK elections and emerged victorious.
He ran in Ashford, a traditional Conservative Party stronghold, defeating veteran politician Damien Green. This marks the first time in 139 years that the Labour Party has won in Ashford.
Joseph, hailing from Kaipuzha in Kottayam, a known hub for nursing professionals, had a humble beginning. He is the youngest of seven children born to farmer couple Joseph and the late Elikutty.
After completing his nursing studies at Ambedkar Medical College in Bengaluru, he worked for a year at a hospital in Dehradun before moving to the UK in 2001. There, he joined the government health service as a nurse.
Despite having no political involvement during his student days in Kerala or Bengaluru, Joseph's organizational skills were always evident. His political journey began two years ago when he served as a councillor in Ashford. His campaign focused on addressing issues such as high tax burdens and the struggling National Health Service, resonating with voters seeking change.
His wife Brita, also a nurse and a native of Thrissur, along with their three children, share this joy. Additionally, one of his elder sisters, Siby Sunny, is also settled as a nurse in Ashford.