A Harrow councillor who was homeless as a child has been made MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Canons Ward Councillor Ameet Jogia was made and MBE for political and public services in The Queen’s Birthday Honours list released ahead of the Platinum Jubilee.

Having been homeless as a child, Cllr Jogia grew up on a council estate under difficult circumstances.

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Cllr Jogia said: “I am humbled and honoured to have received this honour for something I am so passionate about. I have always been an advocate that politics is an avenue for positive change.”

Speaking at the Conservative Party conference, he said his upbringing inspired him to get involved in civic duty and to give back to his local community, which had given him and his family so much.

Having been an active member of the Conservative Party for more than 20 years, he plays a leading role in helping the party engage with various ethnically diverse communities, particularly Britain’s 1.7 million British Indian diaspora.

Cllr Jogia is active in both local and national campaigns. He is currently the Co-Chair of the Conservative Friends of India and has campaigned for UK-India relations, including promoting a free trade agreement between both countries.

Councillor Jogia’s re-election for a third term was part of the only gain for the Conservative Party nationally, in Harrow, in the May local elections.

The Conservative Party credits its victory to the campaigning of those like Cllr Jogia who were instrumental in engaging with diverse communities in one of the UK’s most diverse areas.

He said: “I have tried to encourage political participation wherever I can to make a positive difference to our local communities. I hope that I can continue to do more to serve our society.”

Before being elected councillor he worked in Parliament as a political advisor for over 10 years and was recently awarded a long service award by the Houses of Parliament.

He recently played a key role in organising the Prime Minister’s recent trip to India.

The Queen’s Birthday Honours were released on June 1 this year as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations and mark the extraordinary contributions and service of people across the UK.