Natasha Asghar
Natasha Asghar | |
---|---|
![]() Natasha Asghar in 2021 | |
Shadow Minister for Transport | |
Incumbent | |
Assumed office 27 May 2021 | |
Leader | Andrew RT Davies |
Preceded by | Russell George |
Member of the Senedd for South Wales East | |
Incumbent | |
Assumed office 8 May 2021 | |
Personal details | |
Born | October 1983 [1] Newport, Wales |
Nationality | British |
Political party | Welsh Conservatives |
Other political affiliations | Plaid Cymru (until 2009) |
Natasha Asghar is a Welsh Conservative Party politician has served as Member of the Senedd for the South Wales East region and Shadow Minister for Transport since 2021. Her father Mohammad Asghar represented the same constituency until his death in 2020.[2] She is the first female ethnic minority member of the Senedd. She stood for the Conservative Party's nomination for Mayor of London in the 2024 mayoral election, but was not shortlisted.
Political career
Asghar stood as a Plaid Cymru candidate in the 2007 National Assembly for Wales election in Blaenau Gwent[3] and for the Wales seat in the 2009 European elections.[4]
She joined Conservative party on 8 December 2009 at the same time as her father, Mohammad Asghar.[5][6] She said “For me, family is everything. I believe in my father. Wherever he goes I will follow.’’[7] At the time of Mohammad Asghar's defection, it was alleged that he left in part due to the party barring him from hiring her.[8][9][better source needed] She was hired as a member of his support staff in the Senedd in 2010.[9]
She unsuccessfully contested Torfaen at the 2011 National Assembly for Wales election,[10] and Newport East at the 2015 and 2017 UK Parliament elections.[11]
She was elected to the Senedd at the 2021 Senedd election to represent South Wales East. She became the first female ethnic minority candidate to be elected as an MS.[12] Shortly after she was appointed Shadow Minister for Transport.[13]
In May 2021, Asghar was highlighted as one of British Vogue's "5 Forces For Change".[14] Since being elected she has done interviews for the BBC, ITV, the South Wales Argus, The National, the Caerphilly Observer, the Welsh magazine Golwg and appeared on Sharp End.[15]
Asghar was named the Welsh Conservative’s Shadow Minister for Transport and Technology and worked to see the creation an All Wales Travel Card similar to the Oyster card in London.[16]
She was named as one of the BBC's 100 Women in December 2021.[17]
On 22 May 2023, Asghar announced that she would be standing for the Conservative Party's nomination for Mayor of London ahead of the 2024 London mayoral election.[18] She announced her decision via a video on Twitter. She had previously been a London resident for 20 years before moving to Wales.[19] On 12 May it was announced that her bid to become a potential candidate for the London mayoralty had failed when her name did not appear on the party's shortlist of three.[20]
Background
She is the daughter of the late Conservative assembly member Mohammad Asghar. She is of Pakistani descent.[21] Asghar holds a BA in Politics and Social Policy and a Masters in Contemporary British Policy and Media from the University of London.[15]
References
- ^ https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/07885836/officers
- ^ "Natasha Asghar to stand for Welsh Conservatives in Senedd Elections". Caerphilly Observer. 20 January 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
- ^ "Young Candidates". youngwales.plaidcymru.org. Archived from the original on 22 July 2007.
- ^ "Electoral Office of Wales". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
- ^ "Plaid AM defects to Conservatives". 8 December 2009. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
- ^ "The Conservative Party | People | Welsh Assembly Members | Mohammad Asghar AM". Archived from the original on 20 October 2011.
- ^ "Why I'm quitting Plaid for the Tories". South Wales Argus. 9 December 2009. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
- ^ Shipton, Martin (10 December 2009). "Plaid AM Mohammad Asghar defected to Tories after being told he could not employ his daughter as press officer". Wales Online. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
- ^ a b Shipton, Martin (26 January 2010). "Daughter of AM who left Plaid to join the Tories is now on his staff". Wales Online. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
- ^ "BBC News - Election 2011 - Wales - Torfaen". BBC News. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
- ^ "Natasha Asghar - Candidate for South Wales East in Senedd Cymru elections (Regions)". Democracy Club Candidates. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
- ^ "Natasha Asghar becomes first female Senedd member from a BAME background". ITV News. 8 May 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
- ^ Owen, Cathy (27 May 2021). "Tory MSs who drank in Senedd during alcohol ban get top roles". Wales Online. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
- ^ Mukhtar, Amel (30 May 2021). "5 Forces For Change That Made Waves In May". British Vogue. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ a b "About Natasha Asghar/Mwy am Natasha Asghar". Natasha Asghar MS. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ "Asghar welcomes positive response to her calls for an All-Wales Travel Card". Natasha Asghar MS. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ "BBC 100 Women 2021: Who is on the list this year?". BBC News. 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
- ^ @nasghar (22 May 2023). "🚨 I've applied to become the @Conservatives Mayor of #London candidate. 🥀 For 2 years I have been fighting against Labour's policies in Wales - and now it's time to take the fight to London. 👇 It's time for change and I know I can be the breath of fresh air Londoners need" (Tweet). Retrieved 22 May 2023 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Prominent Welsh Tory announces bid to become the Mayor of London". South Wales Argus. 22 May 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
- ^ "London mayor: Welsh Conservative Natasha Asghar's bid fails". BBC News. 12 June 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
- ^ "Natasha Asghar to stand for Welsh Conservatives in Senedd Elections". Caerphilly Observer. 20 January 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
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