Lib Dems launch challenge for Clementswood seat

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 19th Sep 2006

The Liberal Democrats have selected Irfan Mustafa as their candidate for the vacant council seat. Irfan was formerly a member of the Labour Party and one of their council candidates in the May 2006 elections. Shortly after that he with a number of other branch members joined the Liberal Democrats .

Irfan has lived in the borough for 14 years, he is married with two school age children. He works in the field of education and is a school governor. He quotes the failures of the Labour locally and nationally to keep in touch with people or to deliver the right kind of policies as his reason for leaving Labour. In contrast he says the Liberal Democrats have stood by their principles, and shown commitment to the people they represent and world at large.

Irfan is looking forward to the by election and the opportunity to represent all the people of Clementswood on Redbridge Council.

He says "The people of Clementswood can send clear messages to Labour. Firstly plans to close King George hospital or take away its Accident and Emergency department must be halted. Local need those facilities. The petition I am raising to 'Save our hospital' is attracting tremendous support . We are not going to let Labour get away with this. I was shocked to hear one Labour Councillor even tried to stop residents raising the question at a recent meeting of the Adult Social Services committee. In an email to other councillors Cllr Maravella dismissed the matter of threatened hospital closure as mere tittle-tattle and not worthy of discussion. So much for Labour's concern for local people and their health.. I am determined to work with the whole community to save our hospital.

Secondly they can send a message to Tony Blair telling him it is time for him to go now. He has lost the trust of the vast majority of the people of Britain and destroyed our countries reputation around the world"

You can contact Irfan Mustafa on 07801373612