Getting to Know You - Foysol Choudhury MSP

Foysol Choudhury, a Scottish Labour list MSP for Lothian Region, sits down with Holyrood Magazine.

What is your earliest memory?

The first thing I can remember is when I was a little boy in Bangladesh, and my family set up an orphanage. My grandfather, my uncle, my dad and everybody, were all there and I was sitting on a stage on my grandfather’s lap and there were thousands of people there.

I think this is where I got my passion for working for the community.

 

Where did you go to school?

I moved to the UK when I was eleven or twelve, so I went to primary school and a bit of high school in Bangladesh. I then went to Drummond High School in Edinburgh.

 

What were you like at school?

I was told that I was very honest, and I was never shy on making any comments. I've always been the loudest one in the class. I was never shy of answering anything or asking questions. I was heavily involved in sports as well.

 

What sports did you play?

I played football, I was a midfielder – I was told I was very aggressive…

 

What team do you support?

I support Man United – I recently read Sir Alex Fergusson’s book – and Heart of Midlothian.

 

Did you notice a difference in cultures at school when you moved to Scotland?

Of course, it was a big change of culture when I first came here. I think studying in Bangladesh is  more serious because you have to memorise a lot of things and it is quite a lot different here.

 

Were your parents and family involved in politics in Bangladesh?

We come from a big family, and one of my grandfather’s cousins is heavily involved with the government in Bangladesh. Another stood as an MP. My grandparents have been heavily involved in politics too.

 

Who would be your dream dinner date?

I've always been a big fan of Nelson Mandela. And I would love to have dinner with Oprah Winfrey and Beyonce, because of the work they do. I’ve always been involved in fundraising and charity and community work, and I’ve always admired what they do and what they are doing.

 

What’s your most treasured possession?

I would say my family, because for me, my sisters have always been a treasured part of my life, and my brother. I’ve always loved cars, and I do love my car, but I’ve always treasured my family.

 

What would be your dream car?

A Ferrari – I’ve always loved the colour red…

 

Do you have any regrets?

I don’t regret anything because in life, I’ve always given priority to the good things rather than thinking of the bad things.

My grandfather used to say that when you're crossing the road, you don't turn around and see who's following you. You just look forward because as soon as you turn around, you might be hit by a car or losing your tracks. So I will look at the good side of the thing rather than the bad side.

I've regretted somethings, of course. Every human being has some regrets in life. You always think - I should have done that, I could have done that better.

If I could, I would go back to a few years ago, because I lost my dad in 2011 and obviously I was very close with my dad and I cannot remember enough, or I feel that I haven't given him enough time. I haven't spent a lot of time with my Dad, which I regret now. In a good way, I feel that I could have learned a lot from that.

 

If you could back to any period in history, where would you visit?

I would go back to the colonial period and try to stop colonialism, if I could – because I always believed that nobody should be anybody’s slave.

And you know, I hear the stories that the Indian subcontinent was better in 1947. I would want to go back to that to see, you know, what made it that way.

I would also want to go back in time and be the fly in the room when Henry Dundas decided on slavery – I’ve been reading about that controversy recently.

 

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

My best piece of advice was that you should never look at the bad side of a person, always think of the good side of them. I remember the day before my dad died, he said to me that when we pray to God, we always ask for forgiveness for everyone.

 

What skill should every person have?

Every person should have the skill to help and support one another, because that’s what makes a difference. That makes a change because if every person can help one person, this world will be a better place.

 

What’s your favourite film or TV programme?

You will laugh – when I was little, I used to love Tarzan! My favourite film I really, really, liked was Titanic – it was so emotional. It overtakes all other films because when I watched it I went to another reality.

 

Binary politics

Salt and vinegar or salt and sauce - salt n vinegar

Cats or dogs - Cats

Pub or wine bar - Wherever sells Coca-Cola

Early bird or night owl - Night Owl

Full English or full Scottish - Full Scottish

Coffee or tea - Both

Fame or fortune - neither

Book or film - film

Night in or night out - night out

Couch or gym - Gym