The Inventory: Sayeeda Warsi
Published in the Financial Times, Saturday 4th February
By Hester Lacey
Sayeeda Warsi, 40, co-chair of the Conservative party and minister without portfolio, is the first female Muslim to serve as a minister in a British government. She was made a life peeress in 2007.
What was your earliest ambition?
To be one of the Famous Five; free in a place without too many rules.
Public school or state school? University or straight into work?
Birkdale High School; Dewsbury College and then Leeds university. My education was a privilege. A lot of Asian girls had traditional parents, and had to fight to stay at school, while my parents were very encouraging.
Who was or still is your mentor?
A law teacher at college called Andrea. Her approach was life-changing. Dad, who’s always had a get-up-and-go approach. In terms of politics, Michael Howard.
How physically fit are you?
More than I was six months ago. I could run for two minutes back then, now I can run for 30.
Ambition or talent: which matters more to success?
Success comes because people are in the right place at the right time.
Have you ever taken an IQ test?
Not that I’m aware of.
How politically committed are you?
Right now, my political commitment is my life.
