Hina Bokhari is a British politician, educator and co-founder of the Naz Legacy Foundation. A member of the Liberal Democrats, she has served as a Member of the London Assembly since the 2021 election.
In May 2024, she made history by becoming the Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the London Assembly, making her the first British Asian to lead a party group in the assembly. Born in Enfield, North London, Hina is the daughter of Nawazish "Naz" Bokhari and Rizwana Bokhari, and hails from a Pakistani heritage. Her father, Naz, a Punjabi-born educator, made history as the first British Muslim to run a secondary school in the UK, serving as headteacher of Ernest Bevin College. He was honoured with an OBE in 2001 for his services to education.
Following in her father's footsteps, Hina was appointed OBE for her contributions to young people, charity, and interfaith relations. In an interview with Asian Voice, Hina reflects on her personal journey, her deep-rooted connections to her heritage, and her dedication to public service.
What does this honour mean to you personally, and how does it reflect your journey as an educator and politician?
I have been humbled and overwhelmed by the kind messages I have received since receiving the honour. When my father passed away in 2011, he left our family a legacy, to make sure we improved the lives for the next generation. Naz Bokhari was an inspirational teacher and role model to many. We set up the Naz Legacy Foundation in his memory to mentor young people to contribute back to society. This award continues to remind me of his dedication and commitment to helping others and I accept it in his honour.
I have been a teacher for over twenty years in some of the most deprived areas of London so I know that there is still so much we need to do. I hope that through my role as a London Assembly member and local councillor I can continue my father’s legacy and prioritise the needs for young people in our city. It has been becoming more challenging for the next generation with Brexit and cuts to youth services, providing less opportunities, so we must do all we can to help them thrive whether it is through charity or legislation.
As one of the few British South Asian women in politics, how do you think this recognition resonates with and inspires underrepresented communities?
I value the opportunities this recognition gives people like me a chance to share my experiences and journey to help encourage more women from minority groups to stand. I hope that women will feel empowered to speak up and feel like they can also do this. I often hear women say they are too busy, or that they would not be good enough. I know that I still had a lot to learn when I started this journey and I am still learning. The most important thing about deciding to stand, is to care, to have a passion, and let that drive you. Sadly, some think that politicians are like the ones we hear mostly about on the TV when in fact in reality they are mostly people who want to help their local communities or improve lives. If we have more women from a variety of backgrounds in politics, I truly believe more good will come to society on the whole.
In your opinion, how important are such honours in acknowledging contributions to society, particularly for those from minority backgrounds?
I was really honoured that the honour highlighted charity, young people and interfaith work. These are all areas that need more attention and focus particularly when there is division and tension. This year we witnessed race riots in our country. It was a terrifying experience, especially if you were black or brown or Muslim. We must do more to highlight the work of those trying to bring people together but also work harder at listening. I hope this honour gives me the opportunity to push forward the need to have honest conversations and to stop the disruptive dialogue that blames minorities for societal ills. We need to do the difficult work that finds common ground and solutions. No more talking shops but a push for real change to help all communities.
