Londoner’s Diary: From FGM fight to the Lords, Ali is ready to arise

[Deeq A.]

DOES the House of Lords need livening up a bit? Watching the snoozefests on BBC Parliament, and with the news that Theresa May is set to name a whole tranche of peers to help get her Brexit legislation through the second chamber, we have our own suggestion — arise Lady Ali.

The Londoner has been so inspired by the work of anti-FGM campaigner Nimco Ali, right, that we have nominated her ourselves. She would be a brilliant addition to the ranks of silk and ermine and has already started out on a political career, fighting the Hornsey and Wood Green seat at the last election for the Women’s Equality Party.

Ali has been a tireless campaigner against FGM, which affects more than 5,000 women in the UK every year despite being illegal, and has persuaded the new president of Somaliland to ban the practice. Ali has also built up an impressive list of backers, including International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt, Labour’s Jess Phillips and Tory backbencher Zac Goldsmith.

“Imagine a former child refugee speaking in the Lords,” Ali said this morning. “My experience is pretty unique. I’m Muslim, I’m pro-choice, I’m liberal and I’m pro- LGBT.”

Where could she sit? “I’d have to be a crossbencher,” she said. But May would be wise to consider tempting her to the blue side. Ali’s political leanings means she may be persuaded.

“I can start at the end of the month,” Ali told us. “I ended FGM in Somaliland this week, so I’m having a week off.”

 

London Evening Standard