Thangam Debbonaire

Thangham Debbonaire is the Labour MP for Bristol West. After simultaneously studying Mathematics at Oxford and training as a cellist in the Royal College of Music, she spent her early career as a classical musician in the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1991, Debbonaire began working for organisations such as Women’s Aid and Respect, for whom she was National Children’s Officer. She was first elected as the MP for Bristol West in 2015, defeating the incumbent Liberal Democrat MP Stephen Williams. Shortly after her election in 2015, Debbonaire took a break from parliament to undergo treatment for early-stage breast cancer. After her return to parliament in March 2016, she was appointed shadow culture minister by Jeremy Corbyn. Debbonaire resigned from this post shortly after her appointment. Debonnaire is now back on the shadow front bench as Labour whip, a position she gained in October 2016. Debonnaire is a staunch Remainer and once stated that she would “do everything I can to stop the UK leaving the EU”. Debonnaire is married to professional opera singer Kevin Walton. Since her diagnosis of early-stage breast cancer in 2015, Debbonaire has been tee-total and vegan, stating that her diagnosis opened her eyes to the dangers of alcohol. Debonnaire now campaigns for new packaging for alcohol clearly stating its dangers, similar to cigarette packaging. She was re-elected in 2019 with a majority of 28,219 and nominated Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership in 2020. She was caught up in a fracas after a meeting with her local party (Bristol West CLP), which considered a motion about Jeremy Corbyn’s suspension – which she voted against. The chair and co-secretary of her local party were suspended for having just considered the motion, prompting accusations that the Left of the party are being forced out by more centrist elements. Debonnaire may be on the shadow front bench but her local credentials will be under scrutiny.