# Natasha Asghar

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Welsh politician

Natasha Asghar MS Official portrait, 2026 Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Children, Young People and Education[a] In office 12 December 2024 – 20 January 2026 Leader Darren Millar Preceded by Tom Giffard Succeeded by Helen Jenner (Education) Sarah Cooper-Lesadd (Children and Young People) Shadow Minister for Transport In office 27 May 2021 – 5 December 2024 Leader Andrew RT Davies Preceded by Russell George Succeeded by Peter Fox Member of the Senedd for Casnewydd Islwyn Incumbent Assumed office 8 May 2026 Member of the Senedd for South Wales East In office 8 May 2021 – 7 May 2026 Personal details Born Natasha Asghar 20 October[citation needed] Newport, Wales Party Welsh Conservatives Other political affiliations Plaid Cymru (until 2009) Relatives Mohammad Asghar (father) Education Rougemont School Alma mater Goldsmiths, University of London (BA) University of London (MA) Occupation Politician presenter banker

**Natasha Asghar** is a [Welsh Conservative Party](/source/Welsh_Conservative_Party) politician who has served as [Member of the Senedd](/source/Member_of_the_Senedd) for the [Casnewydd Islwyn](/source/Casnewydd_Islwyn) constituency since May 2026.[1] She previously represented the [South Wales East region](/source/South_Wales_East_(Senedd_electoral_region)) from 2021 to 2026. She has held a number of Shadow Cabinet roles, including Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education from December 2024 to January 2026. Her father [Mohammad Asghar](/source/Mohammad_Asghar) had represented the same region until his death in 2020.[2] She is the first female ethnic-minority member of the Senedd.

## Early life

Asghar was born and raised in [Newport](/source/Newport%2C_Wales).[3] She is the daughter of the late Conservative assembly member [Mohammad Asghar](/source/Mohammad_Asghar). Asghar was privately educated at [Rougemont School](/source/Rougemont_School) in [Llantarnam](/source/Llantarnam), she went on to hold a BA in Politics and Social Policy and a Masters in Contemporary British Policy and Media from the [University of London](/source/University_of_London).[4][5]

## Political career

Asghar stood as a [Plaid Cymru](/source/Plaid_Cymru) candidate in the [2007 National Assembly for Wales election](/source/2007_National_Assembly_for_Wales_election) in [Blaenau Gwent](/source/Blaenau_Gwent_(Assembly_constituency))[6] and on the Plaid list for the [Wales constituency](/source/Wales_(European_Parliament_constituency)) in the [2009 European elections](/source/2009_European_Parliament_election_in_the_United_Kingdom).[7]

She joined the Conservative Party in December 2009 at the same time as her father, [Mohammad Asghar](/source/Mohammad_Asghar).[8][9] She said "For me, family is everything. I believe in my father. Wherever he goes I will follow."[10] At the time of Mohammad Asghar's defection, it was alleged that he left in part due to the party barring him from hiring her.[11][12][*[better source needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability#Questionable_sources)*] She was hired as a member of his support staff in the Senedd in 2010.[12]

She unsuccessfully contested [Torfaen](/source/Torfaen_(Senedd_constituency)) at the [2011 National Assembly for Wales election](/source/2011_National_Assembly_for_Wales_election)[13] and [Newport East](/source/Newport_East_(UK_Parliament_constituency)) at the [2015](/source/2015_United_Kingdom_general_election) and [2017](/source/2017_United_Kingdom_general_election) UK Parliament elections as a Conservative.[14]

On 22 May 2023, Asghar announced that she would be standing for the Conservative Party's nomination for [Mayor of London](/source/Mayor_of_London) ahead of the [2024 London mayoral election](/source/2024_London_mayoral_election).[15] She announced her decision via a video on [Twitter](/source/Twitter). She had previously been a London resident for 20 years before moving to Wales.[16] On 12 June it was announced that her bid to become a potential candidate for the London mayoralty had failed when her name did not appear on the party's shortlist of three.[17]

### Senedd

She was elected to the Senedd at the [2021 Senedd election](/source/2021_Senedd_election) to represent [South Wales East](/source/South_Wales_East_(Senedd_electoral_region)). She became the first female ethnic minority candidate to be elected as an MS.[18] Shortly after she was appointed Shadow Minister for Transport.[19] As Shadow Transport Minister, she supported the creation of an All Wales Travel Card similar to the [Oyster card](/source/Oyster_card) in London.[20] She also led the Welsh Conservative's approach to criticising the [reduction of 30 miles per hour speed limit zones to 20 mph](/source/Restricted_Roads_(20_mph_Speed_Limit)_(Wales)_Order_2022).[21]

In May 2024, the Senedd Standards Commissioner announced she was being investigated over her description of the Welsh Government's new 20 mph default limit policy as "blanket". In September 2024, the Commissioner reported that this was a breach of the Senedd's code of conduct.[22][23][24] Asghar stated she would "make absolutely no apology" for her description of the policy.[23] On 25 September, Asghar was formally reprimanded by the Senedd authorities for calling Wales' 20 mph speed limit a "blanket" policy on social media, while signing off a report advising her party to refrain from using the term.[25] In October 2024, she posted images of herself attending a protest against the 20 mph policy on the steps of the Senedd, which involved heavy use of blankets, and allegedly strangled an [effigy](/source/Effigy) of [Lee Waters](/source/Lee_Waters), the Minister behind the policy.[26] When asked if this was a protest against her censure, she said "I'm hoping now we're in winter, blankets will be a regular feature at these important gatherings."[26]

After [Andrew RT Davies](/source/Andrew_RT_Davies) resigned as Leader of the Welsh Conservatives and was replaced by [Darren Millar](/source/Darren_Millar), Asghar was reshuffled to the role of Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education.[27] Her portfolio was expanded to include responsibility for children and young people in July 2025.[28]

In the [2026 Senedd election](/source/2026_Senedd_election), Asghar was elected as the sixth and final candidate on the list in the [Casnewydd Islwyn](/source/Casnewydd_Islwyn) constituency, with the Welsh Conservatives receiving 11% of the vote.[1]

## Recognition

In May 2021, Asghar was highlighted as one of [British Vogue](/source/British_Vogue)'s "5 Forces For Change".[29] She was named as one of the [BBC's 100 Women](/source/100_Women_(BBC)) in December 2021.[30]

In 2024 Asghar was awarded the Devolved Politician of the Year Award at the House of Commons for her work in relation to the 20 mph campaign in Wales[31] and in 2025 she was awarded the Iron Lady Award in the House of Lords for her contribution in politics.[32]

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** As just Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education 12 December 2024 - 23 July 2025

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:5_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:5_2-1) Mosalski, Ruth (8 May 2026). ["Casnewydd Islwyn election results in full"](https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/casnewydd-islwyn-election-results-full-33888851). *[Wales Online](/source/Wales_Online)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Natasha Asghar to stand for Welsh Conservatives in Senedd Elections"](https://caerphilly.observer/news/998266/daughter-of-late-senedd-member-mohammad-asghar-to-stand-in-election/). *Caerphilly Observer*. 20 January 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["The Regional View from the Senedd with Natasha Asghar"](https://www.abergavennychronicle.com/opinion/the-regional-view-from-the-senedd-with-natasha-asghar-778687). *Abergavenny Chronicle*. 3 April 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Asghar, Natasha. ["LinkedIn Page with Educational and Professional background"](https://uk.linkedin.com/in/natasha-asghar-032a5a5). *LinkedIn Page*. Retrieved 20 August 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-natashaasghar.wales_6-0)** ["About Natasha Asghar/Mwy am Natasha Asghar"](https://www.natashaasghar.wales/about-natasha-asgharmwy-am-natasha-asghar). *Natasha Asghar MS*. Retrieved 11 November 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Natasha_Asghar_7-0)** ["Young Candidates"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070722202032/http://www.youngwales.plaidcymru.org/content.php?nID=462;lID=1). *youngwales.plaidcymru.org*. Archived from [the original](http://www.youngwales.plaidcymru.org/content.php?nID=462;lID=1) on 22 July 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Electoral Office of Wales"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150924070802/http://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/objview.asp?Language=&object_id=4461). Archived from [the original](http://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/objview.asp?Language=&object_id=4461) on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 27 February 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Plaid AM defects to Conservatives"](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/wales_politics/8401427.stm). BBC News. 8 December 2009. Retrieved 12 August 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["The Conservative Party | People | Welsh Assembly Members | Mohammad Asghar AM"](https://web.archive.org/web/20111020025141/http://www.conservatives.com/People/Welsh_Assembly_Members/Asghar_Mohammad.aspx). Archived from [the original](http://www.conservatives.com/People/Welsh_Assembly_Members/Asghar_Mohammad.aspx) on 20 October 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Why I'm quitting Plaid for the Tories"](https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/4784539.why-im-quitting-plaid-for-the-tories/). *South Wales Argus*. 9 December 2009. Retrieved 12 August 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Shipton, Martin (10 December 2009). ["Plaid AM Mohammad Asghar defected to Tories after being told he could not employ his daughter as press officer"](http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/plaid-am-mohammad-asghar-defected-2064580). *Wales Online*. Retrieved 12 August 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:2_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:2_13-1) Shipton, Martin (26 January 2010). ["Daughter of AM who left Plaid to join the Tories is now on his staff"](http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/daughter-am-who-left-plaid-1941666). *Wales Online*. Retrieved 9 January 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["BBC News - Election 2011 - Wales - Torfaen"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/election2011/constituency/html/26700.stm). *BBC News*. Retrieved 3 December 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Natasha Asghar - Candidate for South Wales East in Senedd Cymru elections (Regions)"](https://whocanivotefor.co.uk/person/5946/natasha-asghar). *Democracy Club Candidates*. Retrieved 9 May 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:1_16-0)** @nasghar (22 May 2023). ["🚨 I've applied to become the @Conservatives Mayor of #London candidate. 🥀 For 2 years I have been fighting against Labour's policies in Wales - and now it's time to take the fight to London. 👇 It's time for change and I know I can be the breath of fresh air Londoners need"](https://twitter.com/nasghar/status/1660686909343973381) ([Tweet](/source/Tweet_(social_media))). Retrieved 22 May 2023 – via [Twitter](/source/Twitter).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Prominent Welsh Tory announces bid to become the Mayor of London"](https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/23539850.natasha-asghar-bid-become-mayor-london/). *South Wales Argus*. 22 May 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["London mayor: Welsh Conservative Natasha Asghar's bid fails"](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-65878047). *BBC News*. 12 June 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Natasha Asghar becomes first female Senedd member from a BAME background"](https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2021-05-08/natasha-asghar-becomes-first-female-senedd-member-from-a-black-or-asian-minority-background). *ITV News*. 8 May 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Owen, Cathy (27 May 2021). ["Tory MSs who drank in Senedd during alcohol ban get top roles"](https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/boozy-mss-who-drank-senedd-20689220). *Wales Online*. Retrieved 12 August 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Asghar welcomes positive response to her calls for an All-Wales Travel Card"](https://web.archive.org/web/20211111102333/https://www.natashaasghar.wales/news/asghar-welcomes-positive-response-her-calls-all-wales-travel-card). *Natasha Asghar MS*. Archived from [the original](https://www.natashaasghar.wales/news/asghar-welcomes-positive-response-her-calls-all-wales-travel-card) on 11 November 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["20mph: Transport minister accuses Tory of encouraging hate"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-68620415). *BBC News*. 20 March 2024. Retrieved 19 August 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** Price, Emily (22 May 2024). ["Second Tory MS under investigation by Senedd Standards Commissioner"](https://nation.cymru/news/second-tory-ms-under-investigation-by-senedd-standards-commissioner/). *Nation.Cymru*. Retrieved 19 August 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:3_24-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:3_24-1) Price, Emily (18 September 2024). ["Natasha Asghar breached code of conduct with 'blanket' description of 20mph speed limit"](https://nation.cymru/news/natasha-asghar-breached-code-of-conduct-with-blanket-description-of-20mph-speed-limit/). *Nation.Cymru*. Retrieved 18 September 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["Standards of Conduct Committee - Fourteenth report to the Sixth Senedd under Standing Order 22.9"](https://senedd.wales/media/lvlnsj2g/cr-ld16666-e.pdf) (PDF). *senedd.wales*. September 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** ["Senedd member told off for calling 20mph a 'blanket' limit"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c206x9wldvzo). *BBC News*. BBC. 25 September 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:4_27-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:4_27-1) Price, Emily (19 November 2024). ["Natasha Asghar poses with 'blanket' and effigy of Lee Waters following censure"](https://nation.cymru/news/natasha-asghar-poses-with-blanket-and-effigy-of-lee-waters-following-censure/). *[Nation.Cymru](/source/Nation.Cymru)*. Retrieved 20 November 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** ["New Welsh Conservatives leader Darren Millar MS announces shadow cabinet"](https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2024-12-12/new-welsh-conservatives-leader-darren-millar-ms-announces-shadow-cabinet). *ITV News*. 12 December 2024. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20241212171525/https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2024-12-12/new-welsh-conservatives-leader-darren-millar-ms-announces-shadow-cabinet) from the original on 12 December 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** Price, Emily (23 July 2025). ["Welsh Tories reshuffle after MS jumps ship to Reform UK"](https://nation.cymru/news/welsh-tories-reshuffle-after-ms-jumps-ship-to-reform-uk/). *Nation.Cymru*. Retrieved 23 July 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** Mukhtar, Amel (30 May 2021). ["5 Forces For Change That Made Waves In May"](https://www.vogue.co.uk/arts-and-lifestyle/gallery/forces-for-change-may-2021). *British Vogue*. Retrieved 11 November 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:0_31-0)** ["BBC 100 Women 2021: Who is on the list this year?"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-59514598). *BBC News*. 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-32)** ["Natasha Asghar wins politician award for fighting 20mph"](https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/24171104.natasha-asghar-wins-politician-award-fighting-20mph/). *South Wales Argus*. 10 March 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-33)** ["Natasha Asghar named Iron Lady of 2025 in London ceremony"](https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/25122733.natasha-asghar-named-iron-lady-2025-london-ceremony/). *South Wales Argus*. 29 April 2025. Retrieved 29 April 2023.

v t e Current members of the Senedd 7th Senedd 2026 Senedd election Plaid Cymru (43) Lyn Ackerman Zaynub Akbar Mabon ap Gwynfor Rhun ap lorwerth (leader) Beca Brown Anna Brychan Cefin Campbell Nick Carter Alun Cox Sara Crowley Donna Cushing Dafydd Trystan Davies John Davies Safa Elhassan Nerys Evans Sera Evans Kerry Ferguson Heledd Fychan Leticia Gonzalez Peredur Owen Griffiths Llŷr Gruffydd Siân Gwenllian Carrie Harper Mark Hooper Delyth Jewell Elin Jones Marc Jones Matthew Jones Kiera Marshall Becca Martin Lis McLean Anna Nicholl Rebeca Phillips Adam Price Sarah Rees Mair Rowlands Niamh Salkeld Elyn Stephens Elwyn Vaughan Lindsay Whittle Elfed Williams Gwyn Williams Sioned Williams Reform UK Wales (34) Claire Archibald Steve Bayliss Gareth Beer John Clark Carmelo Colasanto Sarah Cooper-Lesadd Catherine Cullen Sarah Edwards Louise Emery Cristiana Emsley James Evans Andrew Griffin David Hughes Helen Jenner Claire Johnson-Wood Laura Anne Jones Joshua Kim Paul Marr Joe Martin Adrian Mason Iain McIntosh Benjamin McKenna David Mills Thomas Montgomery Francesca O'Brien Jason O'Connell Cai Parry-Jones Llŷr Powell Steven Rodaway Stephen Senior Dan Thomas (leader) Gareth Thomas Nigel Williams Art Wright Welsh Labour (9) Jayne Bryant Mike Hedges Vikki Howells Huw Irranca-Davies Sarah Murphy Lynne Neagle Ken Skates (leader) Shav Taj Huw Thomas Welsh Conservatives (7) Natasha Asghar Paul Davies Andrew RT Davies Janet Finch-Saunders Peter Fox Darren Millar (leader) Sam Rowlands Wales Green Party (2) Paul Rock Anthony Slaughter (leader) Welsh Liberal Democrats (1) Jane Dodds (leader) Llywydd (presiding officer): Huw Irranca-Davies

v t e Members of the Senedd 2021–2026 6th Senedd Labour (29-30) Mick Antoniw Hannah Blythyn Dawn Bowden Jayne Bryant Hefin David (died Aug 2025) Alun Davies Mark Drakeford († till Mar 2024) Rebecca Evans Vaughan Gething († Mar-Jul 2024) John Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Mike Hedges Vikki Howells Jane Hutt Huw Irranca-Davies Julie James Jeremy Miles Eluned MorganR† († since Jul 2024) Julie Morgan Sarah Murphy Lynne Neagle Rhianon Passmore Jenny Rathbone David Rees Jack Sargeant Ken Skates Carolyn ThomasR Lee Waters Joyce WatsonR Buffy Williams Conservatives (14-16) Natasha AsgharR Andrew RT DaviesR († till Dec 2024) Paul Davies Gareth Davies James Evans ( –Jan 2026) Janet Finch-Saunders Peter Fox Russell George ( –Apr 2025) Tom GiffardR Altaf HussainR Mark IsherwoodR Joel JamesR Laura Anne JonesR ( –Jul 2025) Samuel Kurtz Darren Millar † († since Dec 2024) Sam RowlandsR Plaid Cymru (12-13) Rhys ab OwenR ( –Nov 2022) Cefin CampbellR Luke FletcherR Heledd FychanR Llŷr Huws GruffyddR Peredur Owen GriffithsR Mabon ap Gwynfor Siân Gwenllian Rhun ap Iorwerth † († since June 2023) Delyth JewellR Elin Jones Adam Price († till May 2023) Lindsay Whittle (since Oct 2025) Sioned WilliamsR Liberal Democrats (1) Jane DoddsR† Reform (0-2) James Evans (Jan 2026– ) Laura Anne JonesR (Jul 2025– ) Independent (0-1) Rhys ab OwenR (Nov 2022– ) Russell George (Apr 2025– ) Llywydd (presiding officer): Elin Jones † = Party leaders R = Regional MS

Authority control databases International VIAF National United States

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Natasha Asghar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natasha_Asghar) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natasha_Asghar?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.