Hina Bokhari
Hina Bokhari (born 1975) is a British Liberal Democrat politician who has been a Member of the London Assembly since May 2021. She became the joint first Muslim woman elected to the Assembly, along with Sakina Sheikh and Marina Ahmad.[1] She previously worked as a teacher and as a councillor in Merton.
Hina Bokhari | |
|---|---|
| Member of the London Assembly | |
| Assumed office 6 May 2021 | |
| Member of London Borough of Merton for West Barnes | |
| Assumed office 3 May 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Brian Lewis-Lavender (Con) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1975 Enfield, Greater London, England |
| Political party | Liberal Democrats |
| Spouse(s) | Martin Cooper |
Early life
Bokhari was born in Enfield. She is the daughter of Naz Bokhari and older sister of Harris Bokhari.[1][2] Her Punjabi-born father was the first British Muslim to run a secondary school in the UK; he was headteacher of Ernest Bevin College and was awarded an OBE for services to education in the 2001 Birthday Honours. London Mayor Sadiq Khan was one of his students.[3][4]
Career
Prior to becoming politically active, she taught for 20 years in London schools and founded two young person focused charities.[5]
Politics
Bokhari joined the Liberal Democrats in 2017, standing for election to Merton Council in 2018 and winning, becoming the first Muslim woman elected in Merton.[5]
In 2018 she came fifth in the members ballot for the Liberal Democrat list for the 2020 London Assembly election (postponed until 2021 owing to Covid). However she was promoted to second place on the list because she was from an ethnic minority.[6]
Bokhari was the Liberal Democrat candidate for the Sutton and Cheam Constituency in the 2019 general election where she finished second to the Conservative party incumbent Paul Scully, decreasing his majority.
On 6 May 2021, Bokhari was elected a Member of the London Assembly .[7] Her gain was the first seat the Liberal Democrats had gained in the London Assembly since 2004.
References
- White, Nadine (1 May 2021). "'Sad but exciting' to break barriers, says first London Assembly Muslim woman hopeful". The Independent. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
- "Hina Bokhari". Liberal Democrats. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
- Bloom, Adi (22 April 2011). "Obituary - Naz Bokhari, 1937-2011". Retrieved 12 May 2021.
- "Nawazish Bokhari". The Times. 16 March 2011. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
- "Hina Bokhari". London Liberal Democrats.
- "Lib Dems announce results for London Assembly list selection". 21 November 2018.
- "Results 2021". London Elects.