Natasha Asghar
Natasha Asghar | |
|---|---|
 Asghar in 2021 | |
| Member of the Senedd for South Wales East | |
| Assumed office 8 May 2021 | |
| Personal details | |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Welsh Conservatives |
| Other political affiliations | Plaid Cymru (until 2009) |
Natasha Asghar is a Welsh Conservative Party politician who represents South Wales East in the Senedd since the 2021 Senedd election. Her father Mohammad Asghar represented the same constituency until his death in 2020.[1] She is the first female ethnic minority member of the Senedd.[2] She was named as one of the BBC's 100 Women in 2021.[3]
Political career
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.[4]
Asghar stood as a Plaid Cymru candidate in the 2007 National Assembly for Wales election in Blaenau Gwent[5] and for the Wales seat in the 2009 European elections before joining the Conservative party on 8 December 2009 at the same time as her father.[6] She unsuccessfully contested Torfaen at the 2011 National Assembly for Wales election.[7]
Asghar has been unsuccessful in her candidacy for the House of Commons seat of Newport East in 2015 and 2017.[8]
In May 2021, Asghar was highlighted as one of British Vogue's "5 Forces For Change".[9] Since being elected Natasha has done interviews for BBC, ITV, The South Wales Argus, The National, The Caerphilly Observer, the Welsh magazine Golwg and appeared on Sharp End.[10]
She was named as one of the BBC's 100 Women in December 2021.[3]
Personal life
She is the daughter of the late Conservative assembly member Mohammad Asghar.[11]
Education
Asghar holds a BA in Politics and Social Policy and a Masters in Contemporary British Policy and Media from the University of London.[10]
References
- ^ "Natasha Asghar to stand for Welsh Conservatives in Senedd Elections". Caerphilly Observer. 20 January 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
- ^ "Natasha Asghar becomes first female Senedd member from a BAME background". ITV News. 8 May 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
- ^ a b "BBC 100 Women 2021: Who is on the list this year?". BBC News. 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
- ^ "Asghar welcomes positive response to her calls for an All-Wales Travel Card". Natasha Asghar MS. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ Young Candidates, Plaid Cymru
- ^ "The Conservative Party | People | Welsh Assembly Members | Mohammad Asghar AM". Archived from the original on 20 October 2011.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "5 Forces For Change That Made Waves In May". British Vogue. 30 May 2021. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ a b "About Natasha Asghar/Mwy am Natasha Asghar". Natasha Asghar MS. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ "Natasha Asghar to stand for Welsh Conservatives in Senedd Elections". Caerphilly Observer. 20 January 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
Current members of the Senedd | |||||
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| Labour (30) | |||||
| Conservatives (16) |
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| Plaid Cymru (12) |
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| Liberal Democrats (1) |
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| Independent (1) |
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