Nusrat Ghani

Nusrat Ghani is a prominent British politician and member of the Conservative Party, currently serving as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sussex Weald, a position she has held since the 2024 general election. Before this, she represented the Wealden constituency from 2015 until the boundary changes that led to the creation of Sussex Weald. Ghani was born on September 1, 1972, and has made significant strides in her political career, including becoming the first female Muslim minister to speak from the House of Commons despatch box in 2018.12

Education and Early Career

Ghani was the first woman in her family to receive formal education, attending a state comprehensive school. She earned a BA in Government and Politics from Birmingham City University and an MA in International Relations from Leeds University. Prior to entering politics, she worked for various organizations, including Age UK, Breakthrough Breast Cancer, and the BBC World Service, where she gained international experience in countries like Russia and Afghanistan.234

Political Career

Ghani's political career began when she was elected as MP for Wealden in 2015. She quickly rose through the ranks, serving on several select committees and holding various ministerial roles. Notably, she was appointed Minister of State for Europe in March 2024 and previously held positions such as Minister of State for Industry and Economic Security.12 Throughout her tenure, she has been involved in key issues such as aviation, maritime security, and supply chain transparency, notably leading inquiries into the use of Uyghur slave labor in UK supply chains.23

In addition to her ministerial responsibilities, Ghani has been active in parliamentary committees and was part of the UK delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly from 2020 to 2022. Her advocacy work has earned her recognition, including being nominated for the NATO Women for Peace and Security Prize.13

Recent Developments

As of July 23, 2024, Ghani also serves as the Chairman of Ways and Means and Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, marking her as a historic figure as the first ethnic minority MP to hold this position.13 Her commitment to addressing issues such as human rights abuses against Uyghurs has led to her being sanctioned by both China and Russia due to her outspoken stance on these matters.34

Ghani continues to represent her constituents with a focus on community engagement and legislative effectiveness, having helped over 12,000 residents annually during her time in office.3