Indian-origin MPs set for tough fight in UK election

The ten Indian-origin MPs who made it to the House of Commons in the last UK general elections are set for a tough fight in the June 8 polls as Britain's major political parties finalised their list of prospective candidates.

While many of those elected in May 2015 are defending quite comfortable margins, the changed Brexit reality since the last election means a heightened sense of uncertainty.

If the opinion polls are to be believed, the ruling Conservative party is largely forecast to have a smoother ride under Prime Minister Theresa May's leadership than the Opposition Labour.

The Liberal Democrats, which faced a severe drubbing in 2015, are hoping to revive their fortunes somewhat by focusing only on a limited number of anti-Brexit constituencies.

Among the MPs likely to ride the Brexit wave will be Priti Patel, UK secretary of state for international development the senior-most Indian-origin member of the UK Cabinet.

The Tory MP for Witham is defending a large majority of 19,554 (41.5 percent) in a Conservative party stronghold. She was also among the MPs who campaigned vehemently in favour of Brexit and had stressed it was the best thing for Britain.

She has strong support within the Indian diaspora, having served as the Indian Diaspora Champion under the David Cameron led government. "The Indian Diaspora in the UK are fantastic at keeping this relationship strong and work hard every day to support the UK and India reach our potential," Patel said.

Her Conservative party colleague India-born Alok Sharma, the minister in charge of India in the UK Foreign Office, faces a comparatively tougher electoral battle as he defends a majority of 6,650 (14 per cent) in his Reading West constituency.