Tributes paid after death of Milton Keynes City Council Councillor Shanika Mahendran

Tributes have been paid after the death of Milton Keynes City Council Councillor Shanika Mahendran.

MK City Council confirmed the Labour councillor representing Loughton and Shenley passed away in a statement earlier today.

The statement read, “Milton Keynes City Council is deeply saddened by the death of Councillor Shanika Mahendran aged 28, after a short and sudden illness.”

Born and raised in Milton Keynes, Councillor Mahendran was first elected to Milton Keynes City Council in 2022 at the age of 24, representing Loughton and Shenley ward.

In November 2022, she was elected Chair of Planning Committee, a role she held until joining the Cabinet in 2023 as the youngest, and the first Asian woman to hold a Cabinet post in Milton Keynes.

Councillor Mahendran graduated from King’s College London with a Masters in Sustainable Cities. Last year she was shortlisted as Young Councillor of the Year in the national Local Government Information Unit awards, in part for her work developing Milton Keynes’ sustainability strategy, and was recognised as one of The Planner magazine’s Women of Influence earlier this year.

She was re-elected in May 2026, serving as Councillor for New Bradwell and as Cabinet Member for Planning and Placemaking.

Councillor Lauren Townsend, Leader of the Milton Keynes Labour Group and Deputy Leader of Milton Keynes City Council, said, “We are completely heartbroken at the loss of such a talented young woman, and she will be missed so deeply by so many. Our focus in the coming days and weeks will be on supporting her family. We are determined to carry on her amazing work, making the city she truly loved an even better place.”

Milton Keynes City Council Leader, Councillor Jane Carr, added, “Councillor Shanika Mahendran devoted her skills and energy to making our city a better place to live. Our thoughts and deep condolences go to her loved ones, and to all who will remember and miss her.”

Flags at Milton Keynes City Council are flying at half-mast as a sign of respect.

The Milton Keynes Conservatives, who are the main opposition in MK City Council, also paid their respects.

They said, “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Cllr Shanika Mahendran. On behalf of the Milton Keynes Conservative Group, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Shanika’s family, friends, colleagues in the Labour Group, and everyone who knew and worked alongside her.

“Shanika’s passing at such a young age is truly heartbreaking. She served Milton Keynes with passion, energy and commitment, and her dedication to public service was evident to all who had the privilege of working with her, regardless of political affiliation.

“While we often approached issues from different political perspectives, we shared a common commitment to serving the residents of Milton Keynes and making our city the best it could be. Her contribution to our city, particularly through her work on planning and her vision for Milton Keynes’ future, will be remembered.”

Tributes have also been paid by Milton Keynes’ MPs.

Callum Anderson MP, Labour MP for Buckingham and Bletchley said, “In a short space of time, Shanika made a lasting and positive difference to our city and to many individual lives. We were fortunate that she chose to dedicate so much of her life to public service.

“Shanika will remain a deeply valued and much-loved member of the Milton Keynes Labour family. She brought energy, wisdom, loyalty and friendship to our movement. Her friends and colleagues loved her dearly.”

Emily Darlington MP, Labour MP for Milton Keynes Central, added, “Shanika was a friend and colleague who loved Milton Keynes and worked tirelessly to promote it.

“Her determination to make our future exciting and innovative can be felt in so many events from Midsummer Festival to MK Tech Week. We have lost a true light of MK far too soon.”

Chris Curtis MP, Labour MP for Milton Keynes North, added, “Shanika was a brilliant colleague, a dear friend, and we are all devastated by her loss. She has been taken from us far too soon, but in the time she had she achieved so much for our community.

“Her compassion, bravery and drive as a councillor and a local cabinet member helped shape the future of Milton Keynes, and that legacy will continue to be felt for many years to come.

“My thoughts are with her family, friends and everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.”