Thangam Debbonaire was Labour Member of Parliament for Bristol West was Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport from 2023 until the General Election 2024, leading on the Sector Plan for Creative Industries and arts policy.

She was previously Shadow Leader of the House of Commons, Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Shadow Brexit Minister and Labour whip.

Since she was elected in 2015, she championed arts, culture and the creative industries. Thangam is also a former professional cellist and now a “very happy amateur” playing regularly with her string quartet. Her current policy interests include arts, migration, the future of democracy and work on the UN Development Goals.