A solicitor by profession, Chuka studied English Law and French Law at the University of Manchester and then practiced employment law for just under a decade in the City and central London.

Following his election to Parliament, in May 2011, Chuka became Shadow Minister for Small Business in Labour’s Shadow Business, Innovation and Skills team, and in October 2011 was promoted to lead that team as Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.

In February 2019, he resigned the Labour whip to sit as an Independent MP due to Labour’s failure to provide opposition to Brexit and the culture of antisemitism and bullying it had developed.

Chuka is one of leading supporters of the People’s Vote campaign, Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on EU Relations and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Social Integration.

He writes a weekly column for the Independent.