Apsana Begum
Labour · Poplar and Limehouse
FULL PROFILEApsana Begum is the Labour MP for Poplar and Limehouse, first elected in 2019. As a government backbencher seeking advancement, they are likely to vote loyally. They have changed party during this parliament.
Ideology
Voting Behaviour
Key Interests
Workers' rights and employment · Housing and social security · Criminal justice reform · Arms trade and foreign policy · Domestic violence and abuse
Positions
Workers' rights — Strong support for employment protections and trade union rights
strong
Social security — Opposes welfare cuts and supports expanded benefits access
strong
Immigration and asylum — Opposes stricter immigration controls and supports refugee rights
strong
Criminal justice — Supports reform including legal aid for inquests and sentencing alternatives
strong
Arms trade — Critical of UK arms sales to Israel and supports greater oversight
moderate
Housing — Advocates for public inquiry into housing failures and tenant protections
moderate
Reproductive rights — Supports easier access to abortion services
moderate
Government transparency — Supports openness and opposes excessive ministerial powers
moderate
Notable Rebellions
2025-07-09 — Voted against the government's welfare reform bill, opposing cuts to social security benefits
2025-09-15 — Rebelled to support stronger workers' rights protections that the government was trying to water down
2025-09-08 — Voted against government position to support stronger tenant protections
Reasoning Style
Ideological and constituency-focused, combining principled socialist positions with practical advocacy for her diverse East London constituency. Uses personal testimony and lived experience to make moral arguments, particularly on issues of social justice and workers' rights.
Background
Apsana Begum worked as a housing rights activist and community organiser before entering Parliament. She has extensive experience in trade union work and campaigning on social justice issues, particularly around housing and workers' rights.