Umunna

Mike Umunna (born 24 November 1960) is a British politician and former Member of Parliament for Ealing Central and Acton. He was first elected in the 2005 general election as a Labour Party candidate, succeeding his predecessor John McDonnell. In 2009 he was expelled from the Labour Party for fundraising misconduct, after which he continued to sit as an independent. After the 2010 general election, Umunna was elected as one of twelve members of the newly created London Assembly. Regained Labour Party membership in 2015.

Raised in South London, Umunna was educated at Chiswick High School and later attended the University of East London where he studied history and politics. He joined the Labour Party in the 1980s, working as a policy assistant in the public sector. He is of Igbo descent, which he has cited as a significant influence in his commitment to multiculturalism and social justice. Throughout his parliamentary career he has advocated for education, housing, and fiscal reform, gaining a reputation for blending progressive values with pragmatic criticisms of the establishment.

His tenure has been marked by controversies, including a 2016 donation accounting scandal that led to his resignation from the London Assembly. Despite setbacks, Umunna has remained an influential commentator on British politics and continues to be involved in policy research and civic engagement through various think‑tank initiatives.