A Parliamentarian with 4 General Election wins, recipient of many national awards. Former Minister, Diplomat/ PM Special Envoy, and a Lawyer.
14 years in Parliament as the Member of Parliament for Gillingham & Rainham. My public policy work has spanned a wide array of issues, from foreign affairs, security, defence, justice & international religious freedom.
During this period in Parliament, I have served as a Minister in Government in the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office covering North America Sanctions and Consular Policy.
From September 2019-September 2020 I served as the UK Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief.
I have also served as the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy for Pakistan and as Vice Chairman of the Conservative Party for Communities.
In July 2022, I ran in the Conservative Party leadership contest to be party leader and PM. I was one of the 11 candidates. In January 2024 I was one of two candidates for the Chairman of the House of Commons Defence Select Committee.
I have led many parliamentary delegations abroad, to Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain covering foreign policy, defence, security and trade.
I have also served on the following House of Commons Committees: Home Affairs, Justice, Joint Committee on Human Rights.
Academic Roles:
August 2024, visiting Professor in practice at the University of Oklahoma USA.
In September/October 2023 I spent time at the University of Oklahoma USA, as their visiting parliamentary fellow lecturing across departments, and speaking to students on international relations, politics, religious freedom, economics/trade.
In the past 3 years I have published over 16 articles on foreign affairs, domestic and national issues.
Media:
In addition to my parliamentary service, I have made myself available for media work over the last 14 years, participating in interviews and panel discussions on local, national, and international outlets. Broadcasting is a keen area of interest applying my political experience and training as a lawyer.
Legal Experience (Barrister):
Before entering Parliament, I practiced as a criminal barrister, both in prosecution and in defence at Goldsmith Chambers, London.
Advisory Roles:
I served as an adviser to Francis Maude MP Chairman of the Conservative Party, and to Benazir Bhutto, former Prime Minister of Pakistan.
Senior Fellow:
I served as a senior fellow at RFI (Religious Freedom Institute) in D.C advising on international Religious Freedom.
Rehman's other Experience:
- 2022 candidate for UK Prime Minister. Rehman was one of 11 candidates for this post.
- Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for North America, Sanctions and Consular Policy), Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (July 2022 - September 2022)
- Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief (September 2019 - September 2020)
- Conservative Party Vice Chairman for Communities (January 2018-November 2018)
- Member of the Home Affairs Select Committee (2017- 2019)
- Prime Minister's UK Trade Envoy to Pakistan (2017-November 2018)
- Parliamentary Private Secretary to Rt Hon Jeremy Wright QC MP, Attorney General (2015 - 2016)
- Parliamentary Private Secretary to Nick Gibb MP, Minister of State for Education (2014 - 2015)
- Special Adviser to the Rt Hon Francis Maude (Chairman of the Conservative Party) (2006 - 2007)
- Special Adviser to Benazir Bhutto (Former Prime Minister of Pakistan) (1999 - 2007)
- Member of the Justice Select Committee (2012 - 2015)
- Member of the Joint Committee On Human Rights (2011 - 2014)
- Parliamentary Fellow for The Football Association (2013 - 2015)
- A Parliamentary Fellow for Sport England (2010 - 2012)
- Barrister, Goldsmith Chambers (2003 - 2010)
- Councillor for Gillingham North (2003 - 2007)
- Councillor for Rainham Central (2007 - 2019)
- Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Enforcement, Medway Council (2007 - 2010)
Rehman's Awards
Rehman has received widespread national and international recognition for his work as an MP over the past 10 years.
Sitara-i-Quaid-i-Azam award of Pakistan
Awarded in October 2020, for his work advancing UK-Pakistan relations, including as the UK PM's Trade Envoy to Pakistan, where bilateral trade increased by 10% in one year and he successfully campaigned for the resumption of BA flights to Pakistan. Rehman also served as Chair of the APPG on Pakistan.
House Magazine
Campaigner of the Week November 2018
Policy Driver Award MP of the Year
Grassroot Diplomat Initiative Award 2016
Campaigning MP of the Year
Asian Voice Political and Public Life Awards 2016
Runner up
Conservative Home Parliamentarian of the Year Awards 2015
Conservative Party People’s Choice MP of the Year Award
Patchwork Foundation 2015
Parliamentarian of the Year: National Campaigner
Brake Awards 2014
Road Safety Parliamentarian of the Month
Brake 2013
Outside Politics
Away from work, Rehman enjoys playing tennis, running, watching the Gills, spending time with family and friends.