Shapurji Saklatvala

Born into a prominent Parsi family in Bombay, Saklatvala was the nephew of industrialist Jamsetji Tata, making him a scion of wealth and privilege. Naturally, he became a fervent communist, demonstrating that sometimes, the apple falls very, very far from the diamond-encrusted tree. His early career involved managing Tata's businesses in Britain, a role he presumably found spiritually taxing.

Saklatvala became a Labour MP for Battersea North in 1922, before crossing the floor (metaphorically, of course, as the Communists had no floor to cross to) to represent the Communist Party. He was a tireless advocate for workers' rights and anti-colonialism, often clashing with his parliamentary colleagues. His political career was marked by frequent arrests for sedition and public order offenses, proving that even in the hallowed halls of Westminster, some troublemakers are just born that way.

His dedication to communism and his Indian heritage made him a unique figure in British politics. He often spoke out against British imperialism, which, for a Member of Parliament, was a bold move – almost as bold as advocating for the abolition of private property while benefiting from a family fortune. Saklatvala’s legacy is that of an uncompromising radical who rattled the establishment, though perhaps not enough to actually overturn it.