Chuka Umunna

Statement to voters

Born in October 1978 to a Nigerian father and English-Irish mother, Chuka grew up in Streatham and attended local schools. He studied Law at the University of Manchester and the University of Burgundy, followed by Nottingham Law School. Following his education and further training at a City law firm, he specialised as a solicitor in employment law and acted for both employees and employers for just under decade. Chuka was selected by Streatham Labour Party to be Labour's parliamentary candidate in March 2008, following the retirement of Keith Hill MP, who had served the constituency since 1992. Chuka retained the seat for Labour at the May 2010 General Election, winning 43% of the vote and becoming Streatham's first MP to have grown up in the area. He was re-elected at the 2015 General Election with the share of the vote rising to 53%. In 2011 Chuka was appointed as Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills. He left this role in autumn 2015. During the European Union Referendum campaign Chuka campaigned for Britain to remain a member of the EU and was one of the political champions of Britain Stronger IN Europe. Chuka is currently Chair of Vote Leave Watch, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Social Integration, and is a member of the Home Affairs Committee where he is holding the Government to account. He is also Chair of the ongoing Independent inquiry into the Labour Party's support amongst Britain's Ethnic Minorities and sits on the advisory board of the Centre for Progressive Capitalism. Chuka's priority will always be his constituents and he regularly holds surgeries so that local people can speak to their MP for advice and support on a wide range of issues. He also supports and is a patron of many local community groups and organisations.

Election history

Westminster general elections