Labour Party MP for Poplar and Limehouse.
Apsana Begum has become one of Labour's most consistent rebels on immigration and asylum. She voted against the Immigration and Asylum Bill at Second Reading in July 2026 — one of only a handful of Labour MPs to do so — having already voted against two asylum support statutory instruments in April. She also backed the opposition motion to refer Keir Starmer to the Privileges Committee over the Peter Mandelson appointment, breaking a three-line whip. Her voting record shows near-total alignment with pro-asylum-seeker positions (100%, against a party average of just 1%), placing her firmly on Labour's left flank on migration. Her rebellion is not new: she previously lost the Labour whip over welfare votes, and her opposition to the two-child benefit cap was ultimately vindicated when the government reversed course and restored her to the party in October 2025.
At 71% voting participation and 86% party alignment, Begum votes less and rebels more than most Labour MPs. She consistently backs workers' rights and progressive taxation (100% aligned), but diverges sharply from her party on welfare reform and victims' justice legislation. Her 100 parliamentary contributions span social care, defence, and the economy, and she holds no select committee seat — meaning her influence operates mainly through the chamber and the voting lobby.
The broader picture is contested. Recent local coverage has been largely positive, focusing on her advocacy for children in poverty and disabled constituents, and her eventual vindication on the two-child cap. Earlier coverage was dominated by a 2021 housing fraud trial, at which she was acquitted. No committee data is available to assess her work outside the chamber.
Apsana Begum is the Labour MP for Poplar and Limehouse, and has been an MP continually since 12 December 2019.
Top eight by total divisions voted, this parliament. Volume measures engagement, not direction — see Notable Votes for free-vote moments and rebellions.
Source · The Public Whip · Hansard
Moments where the whip was free, or where Begum broke ranks. Free votes are the truer signal of personal stance.
| Date | Bill / motion | Vote | Whip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 Jul 2026 | Public Office (Accountability) Bill Report Stage: Amendment 3 | Yes | vs party |
| 13 Jul 2026 | Immigration and Asylum Bill: Second Reading | No | vs party |
| 8 Jul 2026 | Draft Town and Country Planning (Discharge of Local Planning Authority Functions) (England) Regulations 2026 | No | vs party |
Source · Hansard
“Government must clarify UK military involvement in conflict, including extent of authorisation for US airstrikes from British bases, and provide transparency on Israel military co-…”
“Reform must not be driven by short-term cuts as in previous failed proposals; PIP is not an out-of-work benefit but essential to cover extra disability costs; focus must be on how …”
“Praised the government's rejection of jury trial curtailment proposals and pressed for confirmation that the presumption of child contact repeal will proceed through alternative le…”
“Survivors of domestic abuse face insurmountable barriers to political participation due to ongoing harassment, institutional failures, and lack of legal protections; political part…”
Begum holds no select-committee seat this session. New 2024-intake MPs typically wait one term before being appointed.
| Department | Qs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Home Office | 68 | 26.7% |
| Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office | 41 | 16.1% |
| Department for Work and Pensions | 34 | 13.3% |
| Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government | 21 | 8.2% |
| Ministry of Justice | 18 | 7.1% |
| Department for Education | 17 | 6.7% |
| Department for Business and Trade | 11 | 4.3% |
| Ministry of Defence | 11 | 4.3% |
Pursuant to question 10230 answered on 16 June 2026, whether the a) equalities impacts assessments and b) outcomes resulting from the National Physical Laboratory review of Home Office Facial Age Estimation testing will be published upon completion.
Awaiting answer.
When her Department will be publishing new guidance for commissioning decisions regarding academy trusts.
Awaiting answer.
What steps he is taking to ensure adoption of innovations aimed at treating postpartum haemorrhage more effectively.
Awaiting answer.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the impacts on first-time buyers of non-qualifying leaseholder status being tied to a property in perpetuity, in cases where a prior leaseholder owned multiple properties.
Awaiting answer.
UK All-Party Parliamentary Group on Global Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (sponsored by the European Parliamentary Forum on Reproductive Rights) Name of donor: UK All-Party Parliamentary Group on Global Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (sponsored by the European Parliamentary… |
Name of company or organisation: Apsana Begum Ltd
Name of company or organisation: Apsana Begum Ltd
Nature of business: A company created to deliver campaigns and support my work as an MP.
… |
Unpaid Director of Apsana Begum Ltd.
Unpaid Director of Apsana Begum Ltd.
Date interest arose: 10 January 2023
(Registered 27 February 2023) |
Source · Members API · Last amended 1 Jul 2025
| Category | £ | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Staffing | 226,742 | 88.8% |
| Office Costs | 28,102 | 11.0% |
| Staff Travel | 300 | 0.1% |
| MP Travel | 66 | 0.0% |
| Total · 61 claims | 255,210 | 100% |
Source · IPSA · FY 24_25
Nothing tabled for Begum on the published Order Paper this week.
| Year | Constituency | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Poplar and Limehouse | 18,535 | 43.0% | Won |
| 2019 | Poplar and Limehouse | 38,660 | 63.1% | Won |
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apsana BegumWON | Lab | 18,535 | 43.0 |
Showing the MP’s own row only. Full result table: see Poplar and Limehouse →