Joani Reid
MP
Official portrait, 2024
Member of Parliament
for East Kilbride and Strathaven
Incumbent
Assumed office
4 July 2024
Preceded by Lisa Cameron
Majority 9,057 (19.4%)
Member of Lewisham London Borough Council for Lewisham Central
In office
22 May 2014 – 5 May 2022
Personal details
Born 1985 or 1986 (age 39–40)
Glasgow, Scotland
Party Independent (since 2026)
Other political
affiliations		 Labour (until 2026)
Spouse David Taylor
Children 2
Alma mater University of Glasgow (MA)

Joani Reid (born 1985/1986) is a British politician who has served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for East Kilbride and Strathaven since 2024. Previously elected a Scottish Labour MP, Reid resigned the party whip in March 2026 after her husband's arrest on suspicion of spying for China until internal investigations had concluded.

Early life

Reid was born in 1985 or 1986[1] in Glasgow, Scotland,[2] where she was also raised. Reid is a granddaughter of the Scottish trade unionist Jimmy Reid. She studied politics and philosophy at the University of Glasgow, then went to London for a masters' degree in public policy and management.[3] She worked as a policy manager at the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges.[4]

Political career

Local government

Reid was a councillor for the Lewisham Central ward in Lewisham for eight years from 2014 and served as Cabinet Member for Safer Communities.[5][3]

House of Commons

Reid was selected as the Labour candidate for East Kilbride and Strathaven in February 2023 and elected to the House of Commons at the 2024 general election.[6] Reid has served as a member of the Home Affairs Select Committee since October 2024.[7] She is Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group Against Antisemitism.[8]

In 2025, Reid wrote for both the Daily Record to criticise Nicola Sturgeon's support for transgender rights and in LabourList to celebrate the Supreme Court decision on the Equality Act's definitions of man and woman.[9][10] In October 2025, she faced criticism from Scottish National Party politicians and local councillors after stating that their party had "turned Glasgow into a sanctuary for asylum seekers through their own virtue-signalling policies".[11]

Husband's arrest in March 2026

Reid's husband, David Taylor, was arrested in March 2026 on suspicion of spying for China.[12] In response to the arrest, Reid denied having any connection with her husband's business activities or with China.[13] Reid resigned the Labour Party whip on 5 March 2026.[14]

Personal life

Reid is married to David Taylor, a former special adviser to the Welsh government, and has two children.[3][15] Taylor was appointed head of programmes at the Asia House think tank in September 2024.[16][17] In 2016, he was the Labour candidate for North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner.[18]

References

  1. ^ McColm, Euan (17 October 2025). "Keep an eye on Joani Reid". The Spectator. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  2. ^ Who is Joani Reid? – The non-Jewish MP standing up against antisemitism in Parliament. The Jewish Chronicle (2024-12-19). Retrieved 2026-03-04.
  3. ^ a b c Fotheringham, Ann (26 June 2024). "Late great activist's granddaughter in fight to win East Kilbride seat". Glasgow Times. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  4. ^ Stone, Barney (19 December 2019). "Meet the Councillor: 'The Corbynistas are not very bright'". East London Lines. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  5. ^ McCall, Chris (30 May 2023). "Jimmy Reid would be 'saddened' by polarisation of Scottish politics, says granddaughter Joani". Daily Record. Scotland. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  6. ^ "Election 2024 > East Kilbride and Strathaven results". BBC News. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  7. ^ "Latest civil service & public affairs moves – October 28". Civil Service World. 25 October 2024. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  8. ^ Harpin, Lee (30 July 2024). "Newly elected Labour MP made chair of parliamentary body challenging antisemitism". Jewish News. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  9. ^ Reid, Joani (13 March 2025). "Too often Nicola Sturgeon used her power to silence and put down women". Daily Record. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  10. ^ Reid, Joani (17 April 2025). "Supreme Court: 'Labour women were shut down. But we won't concede rights won in a century of feminist struggle'". LabourList. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  11. ^ Garton-Crosbie, Abbi (16 October 2025). "Labour MP Joani Reid blasted for 'Reform-style' attack on Glasgow". The National. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  12. ^ "Labour MP's partner arrested on suspicion of spying for China". The Daily Telegraph. 4 March 2026.
  13. ^ "MP not seen anything to suspect husband has 'broken any law', after China spy arrests". BBC News. 4 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  14. ^ "Scottish Labour MP resigns from party after husband arrested in China spy probe". The National. 5 March 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  15. ^ "Labour MP 'voluntarily suspends herself' amid China spy probe". BBC News. 5 March 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  16. ^ "Husband of Labour MP among three men arrested on suspicion of spying for China". ITV News. 4 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  17. ^ "Asia House announces appointment of David Taylor as Head of Programmes". Asia House. 9 September 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  18. ^ Shipton, Martin (15 February 2016). "David Taylor named Labour's candidate for Police Commissioner in North Wales". Wales Online. Retrieved 4 March 2026.