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Labour man to continue as county councillor despite becoming MP...for Slough

A Labour county councillor says he intends to stay on in the role despite becoming an MP for Slough.

Tanmanjeet Dhesi is the first turban-wearing Sikh to be elected to the Commons after his victory in the Berkshire seat with a large majority of close to 17,000.

But he was also elected to Kent County Council a month earlier when he became the councillor for Northfleet & Gravesend West. He did so before Theresa May called a snap election.

He said he was confident that he could take on the two roles serving different areas.

“I am used to juggling different roles and responsibilities and I do think I can undertake to do both these different jobs. So, I will be continuing for the time being. And being a councillor is not a full time role in itself,” he said.

He did however say he expected to withdraw from some of the various community and charity groups he represented and would stand down from his role as chairman of the CLP (Constituency Labour Party).

Paul Carter has been criticised for his 'glass ceiling' remarks. Stock picture
Paul Carter has been criticised for his 'glass ceiling' remarks. Stock picture

He has been appointed to three committees at KCC including the governance and audit committee which oversees how the council spends its money.

Mr Dhesi, 38, is reported to have previously pledged to move to Slough if he was elected. He is a former Mayor of Gravesham and works in construction.

His selection was not without controversy as he replaced the veteran Labour MP Fiona Mactaggart.

It followed a change in Labour policy, where the party had previously replaced women MPs who were standing down with an all-female shortlist.

It has since extended this to include ethnic minority candidates of both sexes.

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