Nusrat has been a party activist for over a decade and is a grassroots campaigner. She fought the Birmingham Ladywood seat at the 2010 General Election, securing the highest Conservative vote in 20 years. Selected as the candidate for Wealden in 2013, at one of the largest public primaries in the country, Nusrat was interviewed and chosen by up to 400 members of the public as their preferred candidate. She was elected to Parliament in May 2015 with 57% of the votes, totalling 32,508 votes and a majority of 22,967. Before her election, Nusrat campaigned for better healthcare on behalf of two charities, for breast cancer and ageing and elderly care. She has also worked internationally for the BBC World Service and worked in various trouble spots, including war zones. Nusrat was the first person in her family to go to university, gaining a Masters in International Relations from Leeds University. She is now the first female Muslim Conservative MP. One to One Questions 1) What is your current position? Member of Parliament for Wealden (East Sussex).
2) What are your proudest achievements?
Being the first woman in my family to receive formal education and being elected to Parliament.
3) What inspires you?
My experiences working with Afghan women in Kabul, who fought for their suffrage under threat from the Taliban.
4) What has been the biggest obstacle in your career?
Fighting prejudice when you are told that opportunities for someone from my modest background and circumstances would be limited. I never bought into that.
5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
Margaret Thatcher, who put the importance of fostering an aspirational society at the top of my political priority list.
6) What is the best aspect about your current role?
Having the opportunity to make a difference to my constituents’ lives.
7) And the worst?
There not being enough hours in the day to do everything you have to do as an MP in the House of Commons.
8) What are your long term goals?
To deliver for my constituency on transport, broadband and to secure a better deal for businesses and farmers, and to make sure the voices of the most vulnerable are heard.
9) If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
To create a country in which it isn’t considered extraordinary for someone who grew up in inner-city Birmingham, a stone’s throw from “Benefits Street”, to sit in the world’s greatest democratic chamber.
10) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why? Martin Luther King, because he is a hero of our times.
