Ameet Jogia is a British Indian politician in the UK. An active Conservative Party member, Ameet joined the Party on his 16th birthday and has remained involved ever since.
He was first elected as a Local Councillor in Harrow in 2014 and re-elected in 2018. He also ran for Parliament in Brent North during the 2017 General Election. In May 2014, Ameet became a Councillor in the London Borough of Harrow, receiving the highest number of votes of any candidate in the borough. Currently the youngest Councillor in Harrow, Ameet has also served in the Shadow Cabinet, holding the position of Cabinet Member for Culture and Community.
As he now campaigns as the Conservative candidate from Hendon for the 2024 elections, Ameet shares with Asian Voice, his vision and priorities for the constituency, representing diverse voices and the work of Conservative Party.
You have a diverse background as a Downing Street adviser, a local councillor, and an aide to Lord Popat. How have these roles prepared you for the position of MP for Hendon?
I have worked in politics for over 15 years and I have loved every moment. I have had the opportunity to work in a range of environments but the one thing that has been consistent has been my connection to Hendon. I was born in Edgware and grew up around the constituency. My experience in Westminster and my love for my home town means that I have the skills to be able to represent local people and give back to the area that has given so much to me over the years.
What are your top three policy priorities for the Hendon constituency if you are elected as an MP?
I am against Labour's plans to introduce a 20% tax on private schools. This would disproportionately impact the British Indian and Jewish community which is incredibly unfair. Parents will not be able to absorb the costs and this will in turn increase strain on state schools. I believe we should be encouraging aspiration. I'm also committed to reducing crime, especially after the horrific news of a mother in Burnt Oak. Finally, I'm in favour of supporting developments that are in keeping with the area, and opposing those which are not, such as the plans to build tower blocks over the Broadwalk centre in Edgware.
As you step into the role previously held by Matthew Offord, you inherit both his achievements and challenges. What are some of the key initiatives or policies he championed that you plan to continue, and what changes do you intend to bring to the table?
It is an honour to take over for Matthew Offord and all of the fantastic work he has done for Hendon over the last 14 years. He has supported the Jewish community in the area, and this is something that I want to continue to do. I am proud to stand by a Government who has shown unequivocal support for Israel and the Jewish community. I want to ensure that Jewish people feel safe in Hendon in an increasingly hostile environment.
As an individual of South Asian descent who can relate to the lived experiences of the minority communities, how do you plan to uplift their voices and ensure their concerns are addressed?
I will continue to work with community leaders to ensure that minority voices are protected and amplified. Over the last few months I have visited a number of communal institutions in Hendon that do remarkable and selfless work, caring for the most vulnerable members of minority communities. I hope to continue to support these organisations in the future in Parliament as the work they do is vital. There are large Indian and Jewish communities in Hendon who I hope to continue to support.
What is your stance on the current immigration policies, which remains a hot topic in national politics?
The Government has reduced boat crossings by 36% and if re-elected they will continue to take bold actions as more needs to be done. Starmer has said that if elected he will stop the Rwanda scheme even when it is working. This would make the UK a magnet for illegal immigration in Europe. Labour’s immigration policy would mean an extra 250,000 migrants coming to Britain which would increase strain on our public services.
As a leader within the Conservative Party, what do you believe are the party's greatest strengths and opportunities in the current political landscape?
One of the greatest strengths of the Conservative party is that as the incumbent, it is the party of stability. By sticking with the Conservative plan, Rishi Sunak will continue to make progress for the good of the country. Inflation is down from 11.1% to 2.3%, the lowest since 2021. Our economy is growing and the country is back on its feet. With a Conservative government, I will be able to act quickly and effectively in Parliament to give the people of Hendon what they need and deserve.
