Shabana Mahmood, a UK politician of Pakistani origin, becomes Home Secretary in Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government, marking history as the first Muslim woman to serve as Lord Chancellor.
Imran Malik, MediaBites — Shabana Mahmood, a British national of Pakistani origin, has taken charge as the new Home Secretary in Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government, marking another milestone for representation of the British-Pakistani community in UK politics.
Mahmood, 44, has been a Member of Parliament for Birmingham Ladywood since 2010, representing one of the most diverse constituencies in the country. She is a senior figure in the Labour Party and has long been seen as a rising star in Westminster.
Before her new role, Mahmood served as Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor from July 2024 to September 2025, making history as the first Muslim woman to hold the office of Lord Chancellor. Her elevation to Home Secretary underscores her growing influence in Labour’s top leadership circle.
Born in Small Heath, Birmingham in 1980 to a family with roots in Mirpur, Azad Kashmir, Mahmood studied law at Oxford University and trained as a barrister, specialising in professional indemnity. She entered Parliament in 2010, alongside Rushanara Ali and Yasmin Qureshi, as one of the first Muslim women to serve as MPs in the UK.
In opposition, she held shadow portfolios in higher education, treasury, and as Labour’s national campaign coordinator. After Labour’s 2024 election victory, she joined the cabinet and pushed forward reforms on prison overcrowding and sentencing as Justice Secretary.
As Home Secretary, Mahmood is expected to pursue a pragmatic and firm stance on immigration and security policies, balancing public concerns with Labour’s broader social justice agenda. The Guardian and Financial Times note she has already earned a reputation as a “no-nonsense” leader.
For the Pakistani community in Britain, her rise is a moment of pride. Despite the challenges of representing a diverse inner-city constituency, Mahmood has consistently emphasised her connection to grassroots communities, including those of South Asian heritage.
Her appointment signals Labour’s commitment to diverse leadership while giving the British-Pakistani community a stronger voice at the heart of government.
