Krupesh Hirani - making political history

Krupesh Hirani, a graduate of the OBV & CLG Parliamentary Shadowing Scheme wrote on his application that ‘I may be young…. but I am by no means inexperienced’ and considering all that he’s achieved at the tender age of 26, this statement rings all too true. Last month, the OBV graduate made political history becoming the country’s youngest Cabinet Member at local government level.

Hirani hails from a humble immigrant family on free school meals, and through hard work and determination achieved fantastic academic qualifications including a Politics degree from one of the UK’s top universities.

During the Operation Black Vote Shadowing Scheme he was mentored by Rt. Hon David Lammy MP and at present, the Nottingham University alumni has become the country’s youngest Cabinet Member. Elected as a Councillor to the London Borough of Brent in May 2010, Hirani was appointed to the Cabinet role in May 2012 as the Lead Member for Adults and Health.

Born and raised in Brent, and having lived in Brent for all of his life, Hirani is committed to serving his local community and said:

It’s an honour to serve as the youngest Council cabinet member in the country. I am proud of this achievement and look forward to the challenge that lies ahead in restructuring health and care services in Brent to adapt to the Health and Social Care Act 2012.

He went on to say:

I have been educated through the Brent state school system and am passionate about the area and the Labour Group is determined to make Brent a proud borough to live in.

Since his work with the British Youth Council, Hirani has worked to address the misrepresentation of young people and lack of good role models in the media. In OBV’s opinion Hirani himself, is a testament to this, he is a young man of BME background making strides in public life and we are proud to call him, one of our own.

Rhona Asmah