From Kerala to UK Parliament, nurse from Kottayam scripts history

Hailing from Kaipuzha in Kottayam – a hub of nursing professionals in Kerala – Sojan scripted victory for the Labour Party in Ashford for the first time in the last 139 years.

On the party’s social media page for Ashford, he had written, “Britain’s tax burden is at its highest in 70 years. Yet our National Health Service is on its knees and we are not dealing with the gangs behind illegal immigration. Where is the money going? It’s time for change, vote Labour.”

Back in Kerala, Sojan’s family is thrilled over the news. He is the youngest of seven children of farmer couple Joseph and the late Elikutty. After studying nursing at Ambedkar Medical College, Bengaluru, Sojan worked for a year at a hospital in Dehradun.

“He went to the UK in 2001 and joined the government health service as a nurse. He had not pursued politics during his campus days in Kerala or Bengaluru. But he was always a good organiser. For the last two years, he had served as a councilor at Ashford, before stepping into the race for the Parliament elections,” Sojan’s sister Alice, a retired teacher, said.

His wife Brita, a native of Thrissur, is also a nurse. The couple have three children. One of his elder sisters, Siby Sunny, is also settled as a nurse at Ashford.

“He visited Kerala in March this year. The electoral battle was very tough, but he was confident of winning,” said Alice.