Uppal has been employed as Deputy Chief of Staff for Debbie Abrahams MP and she also worked on Andy Burnham's campaign to become Mayor of Manchester in 2017;[1] he later endorsed her run for parliament.[3]
Uppal was elected to Kirklees Council as a councillor for Ashbrow ward in May 2018[2] and stepped down in May 2022. During her time on the council she was the chair of the Economy and Neighbourhood Scrutiny Panel.[4]
In July 2022, Harpreet Uppal was selected by the Huddersfield local Labour party as their candidate for the next general election;[5] this was later called to take place on 4 July 2024. She won the seat with 37.6% of the vote.[6]