Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh is the Member of Parliament for Ochil and South Perthshire, the SNP Westminster Spokesperson for Trade and Investment and Deputy Shadow Leader of the House. She is also National Women's and Equalities Officer for the SNP.
Tasmina is a mother of four, and prior to her election in May 2015 she was a leading Scottish businesswoman, lawyer and screen actress. She was also a Board Member and Chair of the International and Commercial Development Committee of the City of Glasgow College from 2011 until her election, and an Advisory Board member for Yes Scotland, which campaigned in the 2014 Referendum to present the commercial, economic, social and political business case for an independent Scotland.
She received an OBE in 2014 for services to business and the Asian community. Since her election, Tasmina has campaigned on a wide range of issues, including advocating reform of the benefits sanctions system, calling on the UK Government to address the current refugee crisis, and supporting a range of equality issues, including a fair deal for WASPI pensioners and ensuring women are central to action to combat terrorism and extremism in the UK and beyond.
1. What is your current positon?
I’m the Member of Parliament for Ochil and South Perthshire, a beautiful and diverse constituency in central Scotland. It takes the Wee County of Clackmannanshire, Strathearn and Kinross-shire.
2. What are your proudest achievements?
I’m proud to be Scotland’s first female Muslim MP. As National Women’s Officer for the SNP, I’m proud to have played a part in increasing the representation of women the SNP’s Westminster Group, and in increasing the proportion of women standing for the SNP in this year’s Scottish Parliament election.
3. What inspires you?
I’m always inspired by the people I meet who have given their time to help others through working with charities and campaigns, from local foodbank volunteers to those running national camapigns. I was also recently greatly moved by a group of Syrian women I recently met in Parliament who talked of the work they had carried out in their homeland to combat extremism and make their communities safer in horrific circumstances. It was humbling to hear their stories.
4. What has been the biggest obstacle in your career?
I wouldn’t say I’ve faced any obstacles, but the main challenges I’ve faced as a lawyer and Member of Parliament has been to navigate the challenge of balancing my family commitments with my career.
5. Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
My father, who passed away in 2014, remains a huge influence in my life. His commitment to public service and representing his community have been a huge influence on me, not only in choosing a career in politics, but in making me aspire to do my best in all the roles I’ve undertaken in my life so far.
6. What is the best aspect of your current role?
I have been really fortunate to meet some inspirational people from across my constituency, from those who have achieved national and international success, to those who have managed to survive in terrible circumstances. It’s an honour to represent them in Parliament.
7. And the worst?
There isn’t a worst thing about my current role, but the biggest challenge has been working in London for most of the week away from my family.
8. What are your long term goals?
Independence for Scotland!
9. If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
While it’s unlikely that I’ll ever by the UK’s Prime Minister, but if I was I’d make sure that Parliament has a seat for every MP, and that those who were elected were representative of the country at large. 10. If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why? I’d be honoured to learn from either of the two greatest statesmen the world has seen, Jinnah or Gandi.
