Maahwish Mirza has today [21 May] been selected to stand as Labour’s Parliamentary candidate for Mid Bedfordshire.
Labour successfully won the constituency of Mid Bedfordshire in October 2023 for the first time with the election of the current MP, Alistair Strathern. A substantial swing of 20.5% to Labour ended Tory dominance in Bedfordshire and has opened up the county for further success.
Maahwish was born and brought up in Luton and has previously served as a councillor in the town. Maahwish grew up in a working-class family and now works for an investment bank, where she has had an international career in finance.
Maahwish is passionate about being an accessible and visible MP, championing the greenbelt, and fighting for public services and local infrastructure that truly serves Mid Bedfordshire’s needs.
Following boundary changes, Alistair will be re-standing in the new Hitchin constituency, which includes part of the old constituency where he lives in Shefford.
Alistair Strathern MP said:
“I’m really pleased to see Maahwish Mirza selected as the candidate for the new Mid Bedfordshire constituency, and I’m looking forward to working with her to deliver the change our towns and villages desperately need.
“People here in Bedfordshire’s towns and villages want an active, visible MP that will listen and respond to their concerns. That’s not what the Conservatives have offered here, but I know Maahwish will build on my work to put that right.
“It has been the privilege of my life to represent the old Mid Bedfordshire constituency. For as long as I’m lucky enough to be our MP, I’ll continue to champion change for all of our towns and villages – delivering on our priorities at home and speaking up for our values in Parliament.”
Speaking after their selection, Maahwish Mirza said:
“I’m thrilled to be chosen to stand for Labour in Mid Bedfordshire. Like many in Bedfordshire, my family have always had strong links to our neighbouring towns and villages. I’ve loved exploring our beautiful Bedfordshire towns and villages throughout the years and take great pride in our county.
“I also, however, see the challenges faced by the local community after 14 years of a disastrous Tory government which has done little to truly deliver for our rural communities.
“In an area like Mid Bedfordshire it is vital that we make sure that public services are working for the needs of the local community. This is something that I hear regularly on the doorstep, so I am glad that we now have the chance to convey our plan for GP’s surgeries, local transport and policing, and advocate for the change a Labour government will make for the lives of people in towns like Woburn, Flitwick and Ampthill.
“Only a Labour government can deliver the change that Mid Bedfordshire needs: getting the NHS back on its feet, tackling crime and anti-social behaviour in rural communities, and addressing the local infrastructure and housing crises.
“I will give voice to the hard-working people of this community and fight to make sure that jobs and opportunities are brought back to Mid Bedfordshire.”