NEW Hampstead and Kilburn MP Tulip Siddiq said this evening (Wednesday) she has been warned that having a baby will be “harder than winning elections” after confirming she is expecting her first child.

The 33-year-old was at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead with her husband Chris Percy yesterday for her 20-week scan, learning that they will be having a girl.

She said: “Chris and myself are absolutely delighted. It’s a different sort of challenge but one we are excited about. With my name Tulip, we thought it would be nice to think of a flower for her name.”

Ms Siddiq was elected to the House of Commons in May as the first new MP for Hampstead in 23 years, defending Glenda Jackson’s former constituency for Labour.

“Lots of people have been telling me that having a baby and looking after one will be harder than winning elections – but I definitely couldn’t have done this while campaigning,” she said. 

“The way Parliament works, I will not be having a lot of time off. There is a nursery at the House of Commons and we’ve looked around it, and it’s very nice. But Chris has said he will change his working patterns to work around mine.”

The news is likely to spark great interest in Bangladesh where Ms Siddiq is considered a celebrity. Her aunt is the country’s prime minister, Sheikh Hasina.

“What I’m really happy about is that I will be having her locally at the Royal Free,” added Ms Siddiq. “The nurses and doctors have been so supportive.”