The Kingston lecturer and politician who would DJ as part of campaign

KU lecturer Dr Rupa Huq, Labour’s candidate for Ealing Central and Acton, admits she would DJ as a part of the campaign.

Huq, a senior KU sociology lecturer , who used to DJ at student events 10 years ago, was selected as the Labour Party candidate to contest the Ealing Central and Acton Parliamentary seat in the 2015 General Election.

Huq said: “If we win in the House of Commons I could throw a party and invite all Kingston students and I’d be happy to do that.

“I still have decks in my house, I love getting on my decks.”

Huq said that Labour’s top three student-related policies are reducing tuition fees from £9,000 to £6,000, providing housing and lowering the age of first time buyers and job guarantee to all graduates.

“Historically, every generation has done better than their parents, you always think you’ll progress more in society than your parents,” said Huq.

She continued: “But we got many of our students who are living at home with their parents, they’re going to be doing that until quite late, first time buyers’ age in London is now 37 years old.”

Other issues Huq mentioned as having an impact on KU students are general costs of living, fare increases and high rate of graduate unemployment.

Huq said: “I think we need more people in politics who have had real life experience rather than working in politics only.

“Traditional politician is a grey-haired man in a grey suit and that’s not me.”

Even if it is not a regular part of her life anymore, Huq used to be a music DJ and perform at student events at University of Manchester, where she taught from 1998 until 2004, before she moved to London.

“Since I came to Kingston in 2004 I became a parent and I am a more responsible person,” she said laughing.

When it comes to spinning the wheels of steel, Huq said that she could offer a wide variety of music, from French hip-hop that used to be quite popular on the dance floor, to Asian underground.

The Labour candidate believes music reflects the state of the nation.

“I remember the days of Brit pop under Blair, we had lots of great British bands like Blur and Oasis and some of them had come from quite humble beginnings,” Huq said.

Huq’s favourite song is Tainted Love in Gloria Jones’ 1964 version, better known as Marilyn Manson’s edition that sings: “Sometimes I feel I’ve got to/ Run away I’ve got to/ Get away/ From the pain that you drive into the heart of me.”