A 23-year-old Labour politician has created history by becoming the youngest Indian-origin Mayor in the United Kingdom. Tushar Kumar took charge as Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood at a Mayor Making Ceremony at Fairway Hall, capping a swift ascent through local government that began while he was still an undergraduate.
Kumar, a former student of Political Science at King’s College London, joined the Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council in 2023 and previously served as Deputy Mayor. He represents the Borehamwood Hillside ward.
Announcing his appointment, the new Mayor said it was “an incredible honour to officially become the Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood last night and, at 23 years old, the youngest ever Indian-origin Mayor in the history of the United Kingdom.” He thanked residents, community organisations, fellow councillors, and his family for their support through what he called a surreal journey.
His rise has been unusually quick. Kumar first became Britain’s youngest Indian-origin councillor at the age of 20, when he was elected in May 2023 as a second-year Politics undergraduate. He won the seat with 832 votes, narrowly defeating the Conservative candidate in a ward the party had held for three decades. From there he progressed from councillor to Deputy Mayor and now to the council’s top civic post.
The personal arc behind the appointment carries a strong diaspora resonance. Kumar lived in Rohtak, Haryana, until the age of 10, before his parents moved to the UK. Public service runs in the family: his mother, Parveen Rani, serves on Hertsmere Borough Council and has herself held the post of Deputy Mayor.
Kumar credited his university for shaping his path. He said the Civic Leadership Academy at King’s College London helped build his confidence and public speaking, and he also gained experience with the University Officers’ Training Corps during his studies. Beyond the council, he has worked across policy, education, and research, including roles at the Department for Work and Pensions and a national LGBTQ+ charity.
He framed his term as an invitation to others of his generation. “My time at King’s has played a significant role in shaping my values and commitment to public service, and I hope my story might inspire other students to see leadership and local impact as paths worth pursuing,” he said. As one of the youngest councillors elected while still studying, he said the council had given him “a platform to listen, represent and act, making a difference where it truly matters, close to home.”
As Mayor, Kumar has said he wants to focus on being present in the community, supporting local organisations and charities, and encouraging more young people into public service. He paid tribute to outgoing Mayor Cllr Dan Ozarow and congratulated Cllr Linda Smith on her appointment as Deputy Mayor.
