Faisal Rashid[1] (born 1972) is a former British Labour politician who served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Warrington South from 2017 to 2019.[2]
Faisal Rashid | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2017 | |
| Member of Parliament for Warrington South | |
| In office 8 June 2017 – 6 November 2019 | |
| Preceded by | David Mowat |
| Succeeded by | Andy Carter |
| Mayor of Warrington | |
| In office 23 May 2016 – 22 May 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Geoff Settle |
| Succeeded by | Les Morgan |
| Member of Warrington Borough Council | |
| In office 6 May 2016 – 31 August 2017 | |
| Ward | Chapelford & Old Hall |
| Preceded by | Ward established |
| Succeeded by | Paul Warburton |
| In office 5 May 2011 – 5 May 2016 | |
| Ward | Whittle Hall |
| Preceded by | Judith Wheeler |
| Succeeded by | Ward abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1972 |
| Political party | Labour |
Early life and career
editRashid was educated at the National College of Business Administration and Economics in Lahore.[3] He has worked as a manager at HBOS and NatWest Bank.
Rashid served as a Member of Warrington Borough Council from 2011 until 2017,[4] resigning following his election to Parliament. He was the first Muslim Mayor of Warrington,[5][6] serving from May 2016 to May 2017.[7][8]
Parliamentary career
editRashid was elected as the MP for Warrington South at the 2017 general election, defeating incumbent Conservative and then government minister David Mowat.[9]
In May 2018, Rashid apologised over a tweet which critics suggested was encouraging voters to vote more than once. Rashid said the well-known and jocular phrase "vote early, vote often, vote Labour", was sent by a member of staff.[10]
In October 2018, it was reported that Rashid had been on five overseas trips, worth almost £10,000 in total, since his election. The trips were to Pakistani-controlled Kashmir, China, Germany, Qatar and the West Bank and Israel and the cost met by NGOs, companies or overseas governments. Rashid responded that "These trips are largely educational in purpose. The opportunity to meet with individuals on the ground provides invaluable opportunities for learning and understanding. On occasions, the trips have also focused on enabling MPs to support British businesses abroad and on advancing bilateral relations. These are key aspects of a member of Parliament’s role, especially as the UK looks to redefine its position in the world post-Brexit."[11] Rashid sat on the Parliamentary International Trade Select Committee and the Committees on Arms Export Controls.[12]
In June 2019, Rashid urged Warrington Borough Council to declare a climate emergency.[13]
While Warrington voted to Leave the EU in 2016, Rashid supported a second referendum on Britain's EU membership and would have campaigned for Remain.[14]
Rashid lost his seat at the 2019 general election to the Conservative candidate Andy Carter.[15]
Post-parliamentary career
editAfter his departure from parliament, Rashid established a finance company, Westminster Finance Limited.[16]
In May 2021, he was stood again for Warrington Borough Council in the ward Rixton & Woolston. He was unsuccessful in this election.
In July 2021, he was elected chair of the Warrington South Constituency Labour Party.[17]
References
edit- ^ "No. 61961". The London Gazette. 19 June 2017. p. 11785.
- ^ "Parliamentary career for Faisal Rashid - MPs and Lords - UK Parliament". members.parliament.uk.
- ^ "Rashid, Faisal". Who's Who. Vol. 2018 (February 2018 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 14 February 2018. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
- ^ "Councillors". cmis.warrington.gov.uk. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
- ^ "First Muslim Mayor for Warrington". Warrington Worldwide. 23 May 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
- ^ "Mayor's role and history | warrington.gov.uk". warrington.gov.uk. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
- ^ "Warrington Council Annual Meeting 2016 Minutes".
- ^ "Warrington Council Annual Meeting 2017 Minutes".
- ^ Coles, Amy (9 June 2017). "Labour gain stronghold in Warrington as Faisal Rashid snatches Tory seat". liverpoolecho.co.uk. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
- ^ Skentelbery, Gary (7 October 2019). "MP apologises over "vote early, vote often, vote Labour" tweet". Warrington Worldwide. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
- ^ "MP Faisal Rashid's £10k worth of free trips include Qatar and China". Warrington Guardian. 23 October 2018. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
- ^ "Faisal Rashid MP". UK Parliament. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
- ^ "Council will not declare climate emergency despite pleas from MPs". Warrington Guardian. 6 June 2019. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
- ^ "Faisal Rashid would back Remain in second EU vote – but Helen Jones is silent". Warrington Guardian. 15 July 2019. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
- ^ "Warrington South parliamentary constituency - Election 2019". Retrieved 13 December 2019.
- ^ Dhillon, Aran (27 February 2020). "Faisal Rashid launches business after 'very challenging' months". Warrington Guardian. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
- ^ "Former MP elected Chair of Warrington South Constituency Labour Party". 4 August 2021.