Tony Vaughan (politician)
Tony Vaughan | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2024 | |
| Member of Parliament for Folkestone and Hythe | |
| Assumed office 4 July 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Damian Collins |
| Majority | 3,729 (8.6%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Anthony Vaughan March 1982 (age 43–44) |
| Party | Labour |
| Alma mater | St Catharine's College, Cambridge SOAS University of London |
Anthony Vaughan KC (born March 1982) is a Labour Party politician who has been Member of Parliament (MP) for Folkestone and Hythe since 2024.[1] He is the first Labour politician to represent the constituency since its inception in 1950 and the first MP of Filipino descent.[2]
Early life
Vaughan was born to an English father and a Filipina mother and grew up in Hitchin, Hertfordshire.[3] His mother Aida "Inday" Langrimas arrived in Britain in 1973 from San Roque.[2][4] Vaughan studied law at St Catharine's College, Cambridge, and was awarded a postgraduate LLM at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London (SOAS).[5]
Legal career
In 2006, Vaughan was called to the bar and practises at Doughty Street Chambers in London, with a particular focus on cases involving immigration, deprivation of liberty and human trafficking.[5][6] In 2025, Vaughan was appointed a King's Counsel (KC).[7]
Political career
Vaughan was first elected to parliament in the 2024 United Kingdom general election. His constituency of Folkestone and Hythe was not a Labour target seat and he had not been expected to win; Folkestone had previously been won by the Conservative Party in every general election since 1885.[7] In November 2025, he criticised the Starmer government's plans for reforming the asylum system.[7]
References
- ^ Leonard, Oliver (5 July 2024). "Folkestone and Hythe general election full results". Kent Online. KM Media Group. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ a b Longboan, Liezel (7 July 2024). "First Filipino-British MP elected to parliament". Tinig UK. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
- ^ "Profile: Tony Vaughan, Member of Parliament for Folkestone & Hythe". Folkstone Foghorn. Sophia Sleap. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
- ^ "MGD Introduction Re: Tony Vaughan". Journal Online. 29 June 2024. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
- ^ a b "Anthony Vaughan KC (Associate)". Doughty Street Chambers. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ Vaughan, Tony (16 January 2023). "A pledge on minimum bus services would be revolutionary for coastal communities". LabourList. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
- ^ a b c Gentleman, Amelia (22 November 2025). "'It's wrong': the Labour MP speaking out against the party's asylum policy". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 November 2025.