1. Baroness Ayesha Hazarika
The Voice of Wisdom and Wit
Few figures in modern Britain embody both the seriousness of politics and the joy of humour as brilliantly as Ayesha Hazarika. A broadcaster, writer, stand-up comic, and Labour peer, she has become one of the country’s most trusted voices: wise yet witty, analytical yet accessible, authoritative yet warm. At a time when politics can feel bleak or baffling, Hazarika offers clarity — and a much-needed laugh.
Born in Glasgow in 1975 to Indian parents, Hazarika studied law at Hull University before training as a stand-up comedian. Her sharp humour, timing, and warmth quickly won her fans on the comedy circuit. But politics soon came calling. She worked as a special adviser for Labour figures including Harriet Harman, Ed Miliband, and Gordon Brown, gaining a rare insider’s understanding of how Westminster really works. That blend of backstage experience and natural charisma would become the foundation of her second career: political commentary.
After leaving frontline politics, Hazarika reinvented herself as one of the most insightful pundits in the country. On television, radio, and in print, she has brought intelligence, balance, and wit to political analysis. Whether on Good Morning Britain, Times Radio, or the BBC, her commentary is incisive but never cynical, tough but never cruel. She explains politics with the skill of an insider and the empathy of a citizen, making her an invaluable guide through turbulent times.
In 2022, she was elevated to the House of Lords as Baroness Hazarika of Coatbridge, becoming a Labour peer and giving her insights even greater weight. Yet she has retained the irreverence of her comedy roots, unafraid to puncture pomposity or laugh at the absurdities of political life. This rare combination — experience, humour, empathy, and intellect — makes her unique.
She is also an accomplished writer. Her columns for The Evening Standard and The Times are widely read, balancing sharp political critique with personal warmth. Her books, including Punch and Judy Politics, co-authored with Tom Hamilton, explore the theatricality of Prime Minister’s Questions with both rigour and humour.
What makes Hazarika especially beloved is her relatability. She speaks not just to Westminster insiders but to ordinary citizens, translating jargon into common sense, and politics into human terms. Her insights are never about scoring points; they are about making sense of the world.
At a time when trust in politics is low, Hazarika embodies integrity and humanity. She can make you laugh, make you think, and make you feel that politics is something we all have a stake in. That combination — wisdom, wit, and oversight — is why she has become such an extraordinary national figure.
At #1 in this rundown, Baroness Ayesha Hazarika is crowned not just for her achievements, but for her spirit: a woman who shows that politics can be honest, funny, and human all at once. A peer, a pundit, and a people’s champion, she is Britain at its best.
