Dudley’s MP Sonia Kumar has marked her first anniversary in Parliament with a look back on a busy and barrier-breaking year.
Elected in 2024 as the town’s first female and ethnic minority MP, Kumar described her debut year as “just the start” of Labour’s programme for change.
While Labour headlines nationally have been dominated by other stories, locally Kumar has maintained a high profile – speaking in Parliament 70 times and prioritising visible community engagement throughout Dudley.
A bright local spot for Labour
It has not been a straightforward first year for Labour in power. Nationally, the party has faced criticism for delays in delivery, internal divisions, and policy U-turns.
But with a few exceptions, Sonia Kumar stands out as a positive example of local Labour leadership.
In Dudley, she has built a reputation for visibility, hard work and community engagement – showing that even while national progress may be mixed, local change can still be delivered.
Thousands helped, dozens of surgeries
In her first 12 months, Kumar held 23 constituency surgeries in venues including Brockmoor and Sedgley Community Centres and knocked on doors across 37 weekends. She also hosted ‘Meet Your MP’ drop-ins at supermarkets and shopping centres.
Her office, based in Dudley town centre, has received over 13,000 emails and responded to 11,380. Of 4,726 direct pleas for help, 4,338 cases have been resolved, some within hours.
Backing schools and services
A former NHS physiotherapist, Kumar has made education a focus, visiting 23 local schools with the aim of reaching every school and college in her constituency. She pointed to key Labour gains:
- Free school meals now reach 6,000 local children
- A rise in the minimum wage has boosted pay
- £1.7 million has been allocated to Dudley hospitals
- £4.6 million more is on the way to support food and energy costs for vulnerable residents
Looking ahead to year two
Kumar has also spoken out on taboo health issues, including incontinence, leading a debate in Parliament to increase awareness and support.
“Our NHS needs long-term backing, and that’s now coming with Labour’s 10-year health plan,” she said. “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”
