Fiona Onasanya facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fiona Onasanya
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Official portrait, 2017
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| Opposition Whip | |
| In office 18 January 2018 – 20 December 2018 |
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| Leader | Jeremy Corbyn |
| Succeeded by | Bambos Charalambous |
| Member of Parliament for Peterborough |
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| In office 8 June 2017 – 1 May 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Stewart Jackson |
| Succeeded by | Lisa Forbes |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Fiona Oluyinka Onasanya
23 August 1983 Cambridge, England |
| Political party | Labour (until 2018) Independent (2018–2019) |
| Education | University of Hertfordshire College of Law |
Fiona Oluyinka Onasanya (born 23 August 1983) is a former British politician. She was a solicitor, which is a type of lawyer. She became a Member of Parliament (MP) for the Labour Party in 2017. She represented the area of Peterborough.
In 2019, she was removed from her role as an MP. This happened after she received a prison sentence. A special process called a "recall petition" was used. This process allows voters to remove an MP from office in certain situations. Fiona Onasanya was the first MP to lose their seat this way.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Fiona Onasanya was born in Cambridge, England. Her family background is Nigerian. Her parents separated when she was three years old. She grew up with her mother and younger brother.
She went to Netherhall School. Later, she studied law at the University of Hertfordshire. She also studied at the University of Law. After her studies, she worked as a solicitor. She focused on commercial property law.
Starting in Politics
Fiona Onasanya began her political career locally. In 2013, she was elected as a Cambridgeshire County Councillor. This meant she helped make decisions for the Cambridgeshire area. She represented the King's Hedges part of Cambridge.
She became a deputy leader for the Labour group on the council. She also spoke for the party on issues affecting children and young people. In 2014, she moved to Peterborough.
Becoming a Member of Parliament
In the 2017 United Kingdom general election, Fiona Onasanya ran for MP in Peterborough. She won the election, defeating the previous MP, Stewart Jackson. Her win was by a small number of votes.
After becoming an MP, she was given a role as a whip for the Labour Party. Whips help make sure MPs vote in line with their party's views. She also worked as a parliamentary private secretary.
In November 2017, she gained some attention. During a debate about the country's budget, she quoted lyrics from a popular song. She had voted to remain in the European Union in 2016. Later, she supported the idea of a second public vote on Brexit.
Key Votes and Actions
After her prison sentence, Fiona Onasanya was no longer part of the Labour Party. She continued to vote in Parliament as an Independent MP.
In March 2019, she voted against the government's plan for leaving the European Union. This was one of her first votes after her release. In April, she voted for a law that would make the Prime Minister ask for more time for Brexit. This vote was very close, passing by just one vote. Her vote was important in this decision.
In March 2019, she was among a group of MPs who voted against changes to LGBT education in schools. Later in April, she gave a speech in Parliament. She spoke about the government's spending policies.
Personal Life and Interests
Fiona Onasanya lives in Paston, Peterborough. She attends a church in East London. She is also a member of a group called Christians on the Left. Her religious beliefs were influenced by a childhood event.
She supports various causes. She is a patron for Women Worldwide Advocating Freedom and Equality. She was also a trustee for the East Hertfordshire YMCA.
During her trial in 2018, she shared that she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. This is a condition that affects the brain and nerves. In 2020, she wrote a book about her experiences.
In June 2020, Fiona Onasanya spoke out about a cereal mascot. She said that the monkey used for Coco Pops cereal was racist. This comment received attention from many people.
See also
- Chris Davies – another former MP who faced a recall petition.
- Chris Huhne – a former MP who resigned after a legal case related to speeding.
