Shabana Mahmood calls Kashmir 'India-occupied', participated in a protest outside the Indian High Commission in London in 2019 against abrogation of Article 370, calling it 'a betrayal of the people of Kashmir'. These are some of the controversial opinions from her that resurfaced now as the Pakistani-origin Labor MP has become the Home Secretary of the Keir Starmer government in the latest reshuffle.
The reshuffle comes at a time the Starmer government is facing its toughest challenge of arresting record Channel crossings, asylum hotels and migration. Mahmoon, who is the most senior Muslim woman in the government, supported Starmer's stern stance against migration and said in May that Britain risked becoming an "island of strangers".
“I agree with the Prime Minister that without curbs on migration, without making sure that we have strong rules that everyone follows, and that we have a pace of immigration that allows for integration into our country, we do risk becoming a nation of people estranged from one another," she said.
Who is Shabana Mahmood?
A Barrister, Shabana Mahmood, was elected as MP for Birmingham Ladywood in 2010, making her political debut. Since then, she has held the seat.
Born 17 September 1980 in Small Heath, Birmingham, to Pakistani parents, Shabana spent part of her childhood in Saudi Arabia and the UK. Mahmood holds a law degree from Lincoln College, Oxford (2002), followed by the Bar Vocational Course in 2003; she practised law, specialising in professional indemnity cases.
She served in various shadow cabinet roles since 2013, and was appointed Lord Chancellor nd Secretary of State for Justice in 2024. On 5 September 2025, she was promoted to Home Secretary, succeeding Yvette Cooper following a major cabinet reshuffle triggered by Angela Rayner’s resignation.
Shabana Mahmood's letter to PM Modi in 2015
Ahead of PM Modi's visit to the United Kingdom, the Labor MP, along with the support of over 30 Lords and MPs, wrote a letter to him making some demands about J&K. In 2017, Mahmood called for global intervention in India's internal affairs.
"Deeply concerned about the Indian Government's decision to abolish #Article370, removing #Jammu and #Kashmir's existing level of autonomy. The escalation we have seen by the Indian Government in recent days is truly shocking and it simply must stop. Human rights must be upheld," she wrote on August 5, 2019.
'England has fallen'
Social media reactions to Shabana Mahmood's promotion to the new role has been mixed as many think this will not be good for non-Muslims. "England has fallen. My advice to non-Muslims is to get out now before it's too late," one wrote reacting to the Home Office's announcement.
"For over two centuries, the Home Secretary has safeguarded the nation. Today, we begin a new chapter as we welcome @ShabanaMahmood to the Home Office as the new Home Secretary," the announcement read.
"Wait, Are you saying she WON'T safeguard the nation? That's the implication. "For over two centuries, the Home Secretary has safeguarded the nation. Today, we begin a new chapter," another added.
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