Rosena Allin-Khan has been the Member of Parliament for Tooting since 17 June 2016. She won the seat at the 2016 by-election, filling the vacancy caused by the resignation of Sadiq Khan after his election in May 2016 as Mayor of London. Her rise to become a Shadow Minister was meteoric within weeks of her election she became the Shadow Minister for Sport, a post she has held since October 2016.
Rosena was born in Tooting. Her Polish mother had been a singer in the Polish girl-band Filipinki, who met her father, originally from Pakistan, while the band was on tour in London. The couple separated after having two children, and her mother worked three jobs to support Rosena and her brother. She was educated at Trinity St Mary School, a local comprehensive. She wanted to be a doctor, but could not afford medical school, so she took a degree in medical biochemistry at Brunel University in London, funding her education through a series of part-time jobs. After further studies funded by scholarships, she was accepted at the age of 24 to study medicine at Cambridge University.
1) What is your current position?
Last year, I was elected as the MP for Tooting in South London, taking over from Sadiq Khan after he became London Mayor. In October I became the Shadow Minister for Sport, I was always very sporty at University and I’m a keen boxer – so it’s a great job for me to have.
2) What are your proudest achievements?
Being mother to two amazing little girls, now aged 2 and 3. I look at them every day and think, wow I made those! I felt really proud when my brother, my husband and I, all managed to reach the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest freestanding mountain in the world. It was a tough climb and we were so relieved when we all reached the summit. Becoming the MP for Tooting, the area I was born and raised and am now raising my family is right up there too.
3) What inspires you?
The thought that in doing my job now, I have the opportunity to try and make this country better for my children to grow up in. Also, the belief that I can be a voice for those that don't have one and stand up for what is right.
4) What has been the biggest obstacle in your career?
Getting into medical school from a poor background, back when I was applying, was hugely difficult. It felt like doors were just not open in the same way as they were for others. I went and obtained a degree in a subject I had little interest in and after I spent a few years giving myself a good "talking to", I realised that I should not accept limitations placed on me by others and that I should go for it. I managed to make a success of it. Something I would not call an obstacle as such, but is certainly tricky to navigate at times, is being a woman and standing for election. The media and often one's opposition, really do treat BAME and female candidates differently. I certainly felt unfairly judged at times.
5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
My mum is my inspiration, while growing up, her love and care towards me and my brother, especially through the tough times, has made me what I am today. Without my mum I wouldn’t have gone to Cambridge University to study Medicine, she’s incredible!
6) What is the best aspect about your current role?
Being the MP for Tooting doesn't feel like work. How can it when I spend my day representing the home where I grew up and now raise my own young family? By far the best aspect is meeting and supporting all the hundreds of amazing volunteers, who so selflessly serve the community and never ask for thanks.
7) And the worst?
Hearing stories of people struggling to make ends meet. Seeing that more and more families with children are relying on food banks outrages me. There’s a real lack of genuinely affordable homes across the country and wages just haven’t grown at the same rate as cost of living. Knowing that, across the country, developers are building multimillion-pound luxury apartments while a family from Tooting has to pay £2,400 a month for a two bedroom flat – is tragic.
8) What are your long term goals?
Re-election as Tooting MP and seeing Labour return to government. Getting more BAME men and women into sport, whether it be on the pitch or in the boardroom at the very top of sporting organisations. Most importantly, I want every young Asian person to be able to look at me and say "if she can do it, I can do it". I aim to spend every single day in elected office, trying to be a positive role model. I am just a normal Tooting girl. Nothing special, just tenacious.
9) If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
The NHS is facing a crisis and the Government don’t have any answers for it. If I were Prime Minister, I’d ensure we properly invested in our hospitals and in ensuring people had better access to their local GP. We have a duty to care for everyone in our society young and old. The NHS is something we should be proud of and currently it's on its knees, as are the amazing staff that keep it afloat.
10) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why?
Given everything that’s going on around the world today, I’d like to be marooned on a desert island with Donald Trump and a pair of my boxing gloves. Also, I never got to meet my paternal grandmother from Pakistan. She died young, before I got to meet her. From what I know, she was kind, wonderful at raising a family and never ever gave up. I think she could teach me a lot.
