Shadow Culture Secretary in Bradford

I’ve recently met with Jeremy Hunt, the Shadow Culture Secretary, who visited Bradford.

We went to the National Media Museum, one of those tourist attractions which is on our doorsteps so we often take for granted. It pumps millions of pounds into the economy of Bradford and West Yorkshire every year. We should all be grateful to have such a jewel on our doorstep.

I also took Jeremy to BCB, the community radio station in Bradford. It does great work connecting with different communities in Bradford and I hope to learn more about it in the months to come.

Chris Grayling visits Bradford

Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Chris Grayling MP, has visited Bradford West.

I took Chris to the Carlisle Business Centre in Manningham where he met with some of the business owners there as well as centre manager Jenny Pupius.

I was impressed by the work that’s done there to encourage and help small businesses and enterprise – we need more of that to get through the current economic problems.

I’m pictured above with Chris and Jenny at the centre.

A new branch for City Ward

Last night I was at the launch of a new Conservative Party branch in my Bradford West Constituency.

The branch is for City Ward where we recently had the joining of a former Labour Councillor.

Pictured above are some of the members of the new branch.

I welcome a Labour Councillor to the Conservatives

Today I have welcomed Bradford City ward councillor Munir Ahmed to the Conservatives. He has resigned from the Labour Party.

As I speak to people on the doorsteps across my constituency every week I am hearing the same sort of comments as those from Munir – people are disillusioned with Labour and they take communities across Bradford for granted.

That is something I would never do as the MP for this area. It deserves someone with a real voice, someone not afraid to speak out on every issue.

Here’s a selection of what people have been saying about the move:

Cllr Ahmed commented:

“Over the past few months, I have become increasingly disillusioned with the policy direction of the Labour Party, both locally and nationally.     

“I first took the decision to enter politics because I wanted to help deliver better services for the area in which I live and a better vision for our country.

“But the Bradford Council Labour Group has no appetite to deliver for local people and the Labour Government has simply run out of ideas      

“I therefore concluded it was best for me and in the interests of my constituents that I resign my membership of the Labour Party.

“However, I am now very proud to be a member of the Conservative Party and look forward to supporting Council Leader Kris Hopkins and my Conservative Group colleagues with their ambitious plans for Bradford district.”

Bradford Council Conservative Group Leader Cllr Kris Hopkins added:

“I am delighted to welcome Munir to the Conservative benches and believe he will quickly become a very valued member of our team on Bradford Council. 

“His decision to join the Conservatives is clearly a sign that our efforts to make life better for the residents of Bradford district are winning support across former political divides, and this can only be good for local people.”   

The Economy

I’m sure many of you are feeling the pinch at the moment and are worried about the future. Well, I was encouraged at last week’s Full Council Meeting of Bradford Council by the consensus displayed during the economic debate by our local politicians in the city.

I know that many people in Bradford have been hit hard with the news relating to Bradford and Bingley and HBOS and I’m sure the last thing they want to hear is politicians trying to score cheap points.

At our Party Conference in Birmingham David Cameron said that the Conservative Party would work with the Labour Government to get the country through this crisis and I wholeheartedly endorse this approach.

I am out each week on the doorstep across Bradford West listening to the concerns of voters and I want to ensure that their views and problems are addressed, particularly through this difficult time.

This is a time for unity, not only in Bradford, but also nationally and internationally.  Politicians should, and must, shoulder their responsibility of leadership which is why we elect them in the first place.

Zahid

Child Poverty in Bradford West

I have been in Birmingham at the Conservative Party Conference listening to our Shadow Cabinet, led by David Cameron, setting out their policies and ideas.

Whilst I was in the city, I was alarmed to read the Campaign to End Child Poverty report which says that 75 per cent of children are in or near poverty in the Bradford West constituency.

I think that it is tragic that despite continually saying tackling child poverty is one of Labour’s key priorities – 11 years on, 25 thousand children in Bradford West are facing the hardest possible start to life.

As Conservatives, we would focus on fixing our broken society and here in Birmingham I have been passing on the concerns about issues like this which residents across Bradford West are telling me on the doorstep.

Zahid

Welcome to my new website

Hi, welcome to zahidiqbal.co.uk – on this site is information on what I am up to in Bradford West, what is going on and more details about me.

And you can contact me at anytime by e-mailing zahid@zahidiqbal.co.uk

Bradford Freshers Fair

I was at the University of Bradford Freshers Fair to welcome new students.

They were invited to join the new Bradford Conservative Future group which we’ve set-up and is open to anyone under the age of 30.

We’ve got a new Facebook group too – visit it by searching for Bradford CF on Facebook.

If you’d like to ask me a question, don’t forget you can e-mail to zahid@zahidiqbal.co.uk and I will get back to you.

Campaigning in Toller

I’m out across Bradford West every week talking to residents about the issues that affect them.

Here I’m in Toller with Conservative Councillor Arshad Hussain on a very wet day!

If you’d like to meet with me to discuss any issues, get in touch zahid@zahidiqbal.co.uk

Bollywood Night

On Thursday 9th October we’re holding a Bollywood Night.

Tickets cost £20 and there’s fun for all the family at Premier Banqueting, Stoney Rock Lane, Leeds LS9 7JU.

More details from sally.mccartney@yorkshireconservatives.org.uk