Lib Dem MP Leicester South

Date of Birth

20 December 1966

Political profile

Parmjit Gill Singh's victory in the Leicester South by-election was the second rising Lib Dem star to inflict a damaging defeat on Labour in a once safe seat and push the Tories into the third place.

In winning the seat Mr Gill became the party's 55th MP - and its first from an ethnic minority.

It was while moonlighting as a mini-cab driver during his student days that Mr Gill became involved in politics.

He campaigned hard for the cabbies of his home town who, after a long court battle, were forced to change their saloon cars back to traditional London black cabs at great cost.

He joined the Lib Dems and soon rose through the ranks of activists to stand for Leicester South in the 2001 general election where he came in third but increased the Lib Dem share of the vote.

He had more success in the Leicester City Council elections of 2003 when he was elected councillor for Stoneygate ward.

Mr Singh is also a keen anti-racist campaigner and has served on the National Executive Committee of the Anti-Racist Alliance and is a member Anti-Slavery International and Amnesty International. He is also a member of the Ethnic Minority Liberal Democrats.

His election to Westminster means he will leave his job as information management and security consultant for Charnwood Borough Council.

He is single and has no children.