Darius Nasimi makes history after being selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Heston West, marking a historic milestone as the first candidate of Afghan heritage to stand for the Liberal Democrats anywhere in the United Kingdom. He is also the first Farsi-speaking, Ukrainian born, Liberal Democrat candidate in UK political history.
Born in Odessa, Ukraine, Darius came to the UK as a baby after his family fled the Taliban in 1999, enduring a dangerous nine-hour journey in the back of a refrigerated lorry to reach safety in Britain. Raised in South East London, he went on to study Philosophy at King’s College London, where he developed a strong interest in politics, international relations, and public service.
Darius has long been committed to supporting refugees and strengthening communities. His family founded the Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (ACAA), an award-winning charity supporting refugee integration, where he has played a leading role in fundraising and community engagement. He has also worked on initiatives supporting Afghan refugees following the 2021 crisis and has been actively involved in public and community life.
Darius previously stood as a Conservative candidate in the 2022 local elections for Hanworth Village, where he secured over 1,300 votes and significantly increased Conservative support in the ward, nearly doubling previous vote levels and coming within a narrow margin of victory. At the time, he made history as one of the first British-Afghan Conservative candidates to stand for public office in the UK. Now, he is standing as the first British Afghan Liberal Democrat Candidate in the UK. In recent elections, Heston Ward has not had a Liberal Democrat candidate standing. Heston West is also home to one of the largest Afghan communities in the London Borough of Hounslow.
However, he has since made the decision to join the Liberal Democrats in 2026, citing fundamental disagreements with the current direction of the Conservative Party. Darius’s father, Dr. Nooralhaq Nasimi MBE HonDSS(RHUL), is likewise standing as a Liberal Democrat candidate for the neighbouring Heston Central Ward in the 2026 Hounslow Council elections.
“I am proud to stand as a Liberal Democrat candidate and to represent a new chapter in British politics,”
said Darius Nasimi.
“My decision to change parties was not taken lightly, but I believe the current Conservative leadership no longer reflects my values or the needs of the communities I serve.”
He added:
“My life journey – from arriving in the UK as a refugee to standing for public office, shows what is possible in this great country. The Liberal Democrats stand for fairness, opportunity, and internationalism, values that resonate deeply with me. I am committed to giving a voice to all residents of Heston West and ensuring our community is properly represented.”
Darius brings extensive experience in public service, business, and community leadership, and continues to advocate for stronger links between the UK, Afghanistan, and Central Asia. He has worked to support refugee integration in the UK and has raised millions of pounds for charitable initiatives, as well as founding organisations that strengthen ties between the UK, Afghanistan, and Central Asia.
In 2021, Darius was elected the first National Secretary of the Counter Terrorism Advisory Group, managed by the Metropolitan Police, and previously served as a Trustee of the Heathrow Communities Trust.
In 2024, Darius was a recipient of The Diana Award for Social Action and Humanitarian Efforts.
In March 2025, Darius founded both the UK–Afghanistan Business Council and the Central Asian Students Association UK (CASA).
In January 2026, Darius founded Afghan Radio UK (Voice of the Mountains), the UK’s first Afghan radio station broadcasting on DAB in West London, delivering news, culture, music, and community voices in Farsi, Dari, Pashto, and English.
Darius Nasimi has set out an ambitious vision to twin a UK town or city with one in Afghanistan or Central Asia. This initiative would carry powerful symbolic significance and could mark the first partnership of its kind between a UK city and a city in Central Asia, building on a model that is already well established with cities in South Asia.
His candidacy reflects the growing diversity of British politics and the Liberal Democrats’ commitment to representing communities from all backgrounds.
