Satvir Kaur

Satvir Kaur is a British Labour Party politician serving as the Member of Parliament for Southampton Test since 2024. She previously served as Leader of Southampton City Council from 2022 to 2023, being the first female Sikh leader of a local authority in Britain. She has represented Shirley on the City Council since 2011.

Early life and education
Kaur was born and raised in Southampton, England. Her family owned a sari shop in the Bevois area of the city.

Kaur was educated at Mount Pleasant Juniors and St Anne's Catholic School. She graduated with a degree in Politics from the University of Southampton, and later Law from Solent University.

Political career
At the 2011 local elections, Kaur was elected to represent Shirley ward on Southampton City Council. She gained the seat from the incumbent Conservative, and was re-elected in 2015 and 2019. Kaur campaigned for Hillary Clinton in North Carolina, USA ahead of the 2016 presidential election.

After Labour lost control of Southampton City Council in 2021, she was elected as leader of the Labour group. Kaur became council leader once Labour regained their majority in 2022. She was the first female Sikh council leader in Britain.

Kaur was selected as Labour's prospective parliamentary candidate for Southampton Test in July 2022. Later that year, she introduced party leader Keir Starmer ahead of his speech at the Labour Party Conference.

In May 2023, Kaur stated as City Council leader that "we are not facing bankruptcy. To say otherwise is a lie and political opportunism". In July 2023, Southampton City Council alerted the government over financial emergency.

In December 2023, Kaur announced that she was stepping down as council leader in order to focus on campaigning for the general election. She was succeeded by her deputy leader, Lorna Fielker.

In July 2024 she was elected as the Member of Parliament for Southampton Test, succeeding Alan Whitehead.

Political views
Kaur supports establishing an investment zone in Southampton. She has spoken at an event marking the positive contribution of refugees to her city.