Redbridge Liberal Democrats

Liberal Democrats Welcome Community Leaders

Liberal Democrats Welcome Community Leaders

"We are the fastest growing Party in Redbridge"

Councillor Hugh Cleaver, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Redbridge Council, and Councillor Farrukh Islam, Chairman of Ilford South Liberal Democrats welcome the decision of Sikh Community Leaders to join the Liberal Democrats. Dr Chanan Sidhu (Chairman & Trustee Sikh Welfare Society), Mr Gurdip Hundal (General Secretary of Council of Gurdwaras in SE England including High Road Ilford Gurdwaras), Mr Jagdev Purewal ( Chairman Punjabi Centre Ilford), Mr Satnam Singh (Secretary Punjabi Centre Ilford) joined Liberal Democrats with many members of the Sikh Community.

Commenting on the development Councillor Cleaver said: "the choice of the Leaders of the Sikh Community to join us has enriched the Liberal Democrats, and makes us the most diverse and inclusive political party in Redbridge. People in Redbridge believe that the Liberal Democrats have the most relevant policies and they are prepared to support us. This also re-affirms that the Liberal Democrats are in a strong position to make further advances in the 2010 elections and that the Labour Party has lost the support of a significant group of their supporters in Ilford South. We are now the major political force in Redbridge. We look forward to the challenges it brings and are ready to serve the residents of Redbridge."

Councillor Farrukh Islam, Chairman of Ilford South Liberal Democrats commented: "Liberal Democrats in Ilford South welcome Dr Sidhu, Mr Hundal, Mr Purewal and Mr Satnam Singh to the Party. Rejection of the Labour Party of such high profile community leaders shows the demise of the Labour Party in Redbridge. It makes the Liberal Democrats the real Party of Ilford South. This major shift of support ensures that the Liberal Democrats will emerge from the 2010 elections with a much greater number of Councillors. The Liberal Democrats are grateful for this support and relish the challenges it brings. "

/ENDS

Dr Chanan Singh Sidhu

Dr C S Sidhu has lived in Ilford for 28 years. He is a successful business man with interests in properties and care homes for special needs people. He has worked for the Commonwealth Institute and Natural History Museum.

He has been actively involved in community work for many years and he is the Chairman and Trustee of Sikh Welfare Society. He has been Treasurer and Joint Secretary of the Punjabi Centre. He is a member of Election Commission of Gurdwaras. He is also a member of Muslim Centre Ilford and Ilford Hindu Temple.

He has been actively involved in social and political circles for the last 3 decades campaigning in local and general elections.

Mr Gurdip Singh Hundal

Mr Gurdip Singh Hundal has lived in Ilford for the last 34 years. He worked for 4 years in the Offices of the High Commission of India, 12 years in the Post Office and 18 years as Finance Officer of various Schools. He is now working as Finance Officer at Our Lady's Convent High School in Stamford Hill, London E16.

Since 1976 he has been actively involved with the local community and has served as Treasurer, General Secretary and Vice-President of Singh Sabha London East and at Gurdwaras in Barking and Seven Kings. He served Redbridge Punjabi Centre many times as Treasurer and as Cultural Secretary. He was for the last 4 year the Branch Secretary of Goodmayes Ward of the Labour Party. He has also served for two years as a co-opted member on the Redbridge Area 5 Committee.

He at present is the Cultural Secretary of Sikh Welfare Society Ilford and the General Secretary of the Council of Gurdwaras encompassing 15 Gurdwaras in South East England.

Mr Jagdev Singh Purewal

Mr Jagdev Singh Purewal has lived in Ilford for the last 23 years. He retired after teaching for 35 years in various London Secondary Schools. His interest in education encouraged him to become governor of Christchurch and Oakdale Schools whom he has served for 12 years. He at present is the Governor of Oakdale School and Redbridge Institute of Adult Education.

He has worked as a volunteer for various organisations since 1962. He raised funds to establish 3 Gurdwaras namely, in Barking, Leyton and Seven Kings and has served them as President, Secretary, Treasurer and Member of the Executive for many years. He is a founding member of the Punjabi Centre and currently is its Chairman.

He is also a founder member of the RCVS Network and is the current Chairman. He serves on Independent Advisors Group of Police, Redbridge Police Community Equality Forum and Redbridge Voluntary Sector Strategic Partnership.

His interest in race relations encouraged him to join Redbridge Equality and Community Council and has served it as President and Treasurer; he is now its Vice-President.

Mr Satnam Singh

Mr Satnam Singh is a family man aged 58 years. He has lived in Ilford for 44 years. He received his primary and secondary education in Redbridge. He worked locally as a Teacher, Youth Worker and Racial Equality Community Worker, including serving as acting Director of Redbridge Racial Equality Council. He is actively involved in the community in a voluntary capacity as member of various organisations including Punjabi Centre of which he is now the General Secretary.

He became disenchanted with the Labour Party after Iraq War and has now joined the Liberal Democrat Party because of its anti-war policies and other local campaigns.