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10:05pm Tuesday 8th April 2008
Comments (108) Have your say »
AN ELECTION has been thrown into turmoil after a Liberal Democrat candidate quit - and announced that he was a lifelong Labour supporter.
Sajid Ibrahim had already featured on thousands of Lib Dem flyers delivered through- out Blackburn's Shear Brow ward before withdrawing from the contest "for personal reasons".
Now he has begun campaigning for the man who was his Labour rival for the Blackburn with Darwen Council seat, Suleman Khonat.
Angry Lib Dem leader David Foster said: "It doesn't help politics if people aren't prepared to stick to their principles. We didn't twist his arm to stand - he was aware of our policies and was happy."
But Mr Ibrahim said: "I had thought that, regardless of the party, if I could get a seat on the council I could implement the changes I wanted to.
"But then over the next two weeks I thought the Lib Dems were not the right party for me."
In the first set of leaflets handed out in Shear Brow last month, Mr Ibrahim is quoted as saying: "Last year local people kicked out Labour after more than 20 years in charge.
"Now they can see what a good choice they made."
The flyer, which cost about £60 to print: - Praised the Conservative, Lib Dem and For Darwen coalition for "the lowest council tax increase in years"
- Boasted of the investments in health and community safety announced by the coalition last month - Said the former Blackburn college student was "keen to strengthen the Lib Dem team of councillors."
But now, a statement released jointly with Mr Khonat, has said: "Sajid has supported Labour all his life and now wants to become actively involved in helping Suleman facilitate positive change in Shear Brow."
Mr Ibrahim has been replaced as the Liberals' nomination by Ilyas Akubat, and a replacement leaflet has been produced.
But this has sparked a fresh row because in it the Lib Dems quote Mr Ibrahim as supporting their party.
Coun Foster said the statement had been added with Mr Ibrahim's approval.
But Mr Ibrahim said: "I didn't say I would support them. I have switched to Labour. I have come to realise, daft as it sounds, that I have always supported Labour.
And Mr Khonat said: "There is no way he would have said that - he has been knocking on doors with me this week."
Coun Foster said: "We don't have backing from big money businesses or trade unions, we have to raise it locally. Local members will not be too pleased that because of one person's misguided views we have wasted that money.
"The new leaflet was sent to him and approved - we never send anything out with candidates' names on that isn't approved.
"What I want to know is on what grounds he decided to change sides twice within a matter of weeks?"
Lib Dem executive member Salim Lorgat claimed Mr Ibrahim had been put under pressure to switch sides.
He added: "This is a travesty of democracy."
Conservative council leader Coun Colin Rigby said he did not want to comment.
Shear Brow, where Labour member Hussain Akhtar is standing down after 12 years on the council, is one of 22 seats up for grabs in Blackburn and Darwen on May 1.
andy, says...
11:20pm Tue 8 Apr 08
Gabs, says...
11:27pm Tue 8 Apr 08
Angry Lib Dem leader David Foster said: "It doesn't help politics if people aren't prepared to stick to their principles. "
SAJID, blackburn says...
11:56pm Tue 8 Apr 08
A.Patel, Altom street says...
12:39am Wed 9 Apr 08
M. Quresshi, Blackburn says...
12:54am Wed 9 Apr 08
Has, Mandela C says...
1:03am Wed 9 Apr 08
steve, accrington says...
1:16am Wed 9 Apr 08
Lib 2 Labr, blackburn says...
9:06am Wed 9 Apr 08
Blackburn Born, Blackburn says...
9:24am Wed 9 Apr 08
stooball66, blackburn says...
9:29am Wed 9 Apr 08
Laughable, Planet Zog!! says...
9:52am Wed 9 Apr 08
Tony, Blackburn says...
10:01am Wed 9 Apr 08
Lib 2 Labr, blackburn says...
10:14am Wed 9 Apr 08
amused, says...
10:27am Wed 9 Apr 08
QUEENS PARK MAN, Queens Park says...
11:14am Wed 9 Apr 08
Lib 2 Labr, blackburn says...
11:21am Wed 9 Apr 08
Mike Madigan, Blackburn says...
12:26pm Wed 9 Apr 08
queens park resident, queens park ward says...
12:42pm Wed 9 Apr 08
BB-, Blackburn says...
12:46pm Wed 9 Apr 08
Shear brow ward, Blackburn says...
1:42pm Wed 9 Apr 08
AD, Lower Darwen says...
1:45pm Wed 9 Apr 08
bb-, blackburn says...
1:50pm Wed 9 Apr 08
Shear brow ward wrote:probably still celebrating and getting over the shock that he ACTUALLY won!! disbelief!!
I respect Sajid for what he has done and came out clean at this stage before it was too late. As long as he has made an honest decision. Also mention to Mr Akhtar, all the best to him in the future, where I have to admit he was always around, whether with the guys cleaning gutters or the gritters. I always saw him in meetings and representated our ward in his capacity, which i can not say for the other counsellors. Ps. where\'s the guy for lib dem who won last year.
Iqram, blackburn says...
1:53pm Wed 9 Apr 08
Shear brow ward wrote:I have to agree to the above. All these guys will be out in force for the Votes but when comes to commit time, they are more interested in tax frauds. our problems are that too many people eat from harram incomes.
I respect Sajid for what he has done and came out clean at this stage before it was too late. As long as he has made an honest decision. Also mention to Mr Akhtar, all the best to him in the future, where I have to admit he was always around, whether with the guys cleaning gutters or the gritters. I always saw him in meetings and representated our ward in his capacity, which i can not say for the other counsellors. Ps. where's the guy for lib dem who won last year.
Maypole, Pendle says...
2:21pm Wed 9 Apr 08
Dannyboy, Roe Lee says...
3:29pm Wed 9 Apr 08
QUEENS PARK MAN, Queens Park says...
3:48pm Wed 9 Apr 08
Professor Plum, Blackburn says...
3:58pm Wed 9 Apr 08
Oh no, bburn says...
4:03pm Wed 9 Apr 08
rovers10, b burn says...
4:22pm Wed 9 Apr 08
alan, blackburn says...
5:24pm Wed 9 Apr 08
adam, blackburn says...
5:38pm Wed 9 Apr 08
hanif, mandela says...
5:47pm Wed 9 Apr 08
sam, Audley says...
5:53pm Wed 9 Apr 08
Margaret, Sheabrow says...
5:56pm Wed 9 Apr 08
rubrjohnny, bburn says...
6:36pm Wed 9 Apr 08
independent, blackburn says...
6:44pm Wed 9 Apr 08
abdul, bb says...
7:06pm Wed 9 Apr 08
husain k, london road says...
7:06pm Wed 9 Apr 08
malcolm, london road says...
7:15pm Wed 9 Apr 08
Musa, Altom says...
7:24pm Wed 9 Apr 08
Virmani, Audley says...
7:26pm Wed 9 Apr 08
iSMAIL, eldon says...
7:33pm Wed 9 Apr 08
ady, wimberley says...
7:40pm Wed 9 Apr 08
kim, ewood says...
7:50pm Wed 9 Apr 08
cyarsobees, shear brow says...
8:17pm Wed 9 Apr 08
Again, Blackburn says...
8:33pm Wed 9 Apr 08
soap opera, coronation st says...
9:25pm Wed 9 Apr 08
cyarsobees wrote:you get my vote.first honest thing i have read from a candadate lol
hi all just to let u all know im standin as the independent candidate in the shear brow ward. my only motive is to fill my pockets with the council's coffers, get my double extension and probably help the most needy in the ward i.e. myself the others justify themselves by joining a party im doing it on my own my pitch is "at least im honest about it"
mr b. stard, blackkywaccy says...
10:05pm Wed 9 Apr 08
Fill My Pockets, says...
10:30pm Wed 9 Apr 08
cyarsobees wrote:Let's get one thing clear;the main reason for wanting to become a Councillor is to look after no.1. If in the process, you are seen to be doing things, then all the better, because the constituents won't suspect what your upto.
hi all just to let u all know im standin as the independent candidate in the shear brow ward. my only motive is to fill my pockets with the council's coffers, get my double extension and probably help the most needy in the ward i.e. myself the others justify themselves by joining a party im doing it on my own my pitch is "at least im honest about it"
Bellend, Blackburn says...
11:20pm Wed 9 Apr 08
The Truth, Shear Brow says...
11:21pm Wed 9 Apr 08
B BOY, blackburn says...
11:36pm Wed 9 Apr 08
keriwala, Pezzi House says...
12:42am Thu 10 Apr 08
Queens Park Man, Queens Park says...
9:24am Thu 10 Apr 08
Again wrote:Again, I wonder which ward this muppet lives on. Salim Mulla is probably one of a few hardest working councillors in the ward. Maybe you got yourself mixed up with Sidat. Get your facts straight before accusing people. He isnt the only councillor in the ward there are 2 others well one other the lib dem cant speak english.
Abit like Mr S Mulla who is labours Queens Park councilor( i cant really call him that as he does SOD ALL in the AREA i live in) Mr Mulla only helps people who will vote for him again. Ive seen him once in *** Knows how many years. The Councilors sghould get up off there BACKSIDES get in to the Wards and talk to the residents and sort out the underlining problems. instead of getting planning app aproved for there mates to have the extenisons done grants here and there etc etc. our AREA is becoming a S*** TIP as we dont have a PROPER WARD COUNCILOR (OH SORRY YES WE DO MR MULLA WHEN HE BOTHERED TO COME ROUND????!!!!)
queens park resident, blackburn says...
11:37am Thu 10 Apr 08
Queens Park Man wrote:i once emailed me mulla about a problem in my area and asked what he could do about it.i got a reply that ours was a "nice"part of his ward and did not need money spending on it.it is "nice" if you take away the drug dealing and people throwing full bin bags into the canal.he eventuly told me to stop bothering him over it and contact one of the other councellors in the ward(so much for caring)
Again wrote: Abit like Mr S Mulla who is labours Queens Park councilor( i cant really call him that as he does SOD ALL in the AREA i live in) Mr Mulla only helps people who will vote for him again. Ive seen him once in *** Knows how many years. The Councilors sghould get up off there BACKSIDES get in to the Wards and talk to the residents and sort out the underlining problems. instead of getting planning app aproved for there mates to have the extenisons done grants here and there etc etc. our AREA is becoming a S*** TIP as we dont have a PROPER WARD COUNCILOR (OH SORRY YES WE DO MR MULLA WHEN HE BOTHERED TO COME ROUND????!!!!)Again, I wonder which ward this muppet lives on. Salim Mulla is probably one of a few hardest working councillors in the ward. Maybe you got yourself mixed up with Sidat. Get your facts straight before accusing people. He isnt the only councillor in the ward there are 2 others well one other the lib dem cant speak english.
Queens Park Resident, Queens Park says...
3:23pm Thu 10 Apr 08
queens park resident wrote:I wonder what the other councillors did then
Queens Park Man wrote:i once emailed me mulla about a problem in my area and asked what he could do about it.i got a reply that ours was a "nice"part of his ward and did not need money spending on it.it is "nice" if you take away the drug dealing and people throwing full bin bags into the canal.he eventuly told me to stop bothering him over it and contact one of the other councellors in the ward(so much for caring)Again wrote: Abit like Mr S Mulla who is labours Queens Park councilor( i cant really call him that as he does SOD ALL in the AREA i live in) Mr Mulla only helps people who will vote for him again. Ive seen him once in *** Knows how many years. The Councilors sghould get up off there BACKSIDES get in to the Wards and talk to the residents and sort out the underlining problems. instead of getting planning app aproved for there mates to have the extenisons done grants here and there etc etc. our AREA is becoming a S*** TIP as we dont have a PROPER WARD COUNCILOR (OH SORRY YES WE DO MR MULLA WHEN HE BOTHERED TO COME ROUND????!!!!)Again, I wonder which ward this muppet lives on. Salim Mulla is probably one of a few hardest working councillors in the ward. Maybe you got yourself mixed up with Sidat. Get your facts straight before accusing people. He isnt the only councillor in the ward there are 2 others well one other the lib dem cant speak english.
concerned, blackburn says...
4:25pm Thu 10 Apr 08
Aliyah Adam, shear brow ward says...
5:42pm Thu 10 Apr 08
Worried Resident, Cllr Mullas ward - unfortunately -I can't afford to move out says...
5:44pm Thu 10 Apr 08
queens park resident wrote:Absolutely nothing the Lib Cllr can notspeak english and when I rang him about the area he just put the phone down and I could not pin down the Conservative Cllr - Salim Mulla does not take an interest in all parts of his ward. I have seen 'the nice area' I live in email and it stinks. He should treat all his ward the same. Mr Mulla only helps those who can better him
Queens Park Man wrote:i once emailed me mulla about a problem in my area and asked what he could do about it.i got a reply that ours was a "nice"part of his ward and did not need money spending on it.it is "nice" if you take away the drug dealing and people throwing full bin bags into the canal.he eventuly told me to stop bothering him over it and contact one of the other councellors in the ward(so much for caring)Again wrote: Abit like Mr S Mulla who is labours Queens Park councilor( i cant really call him that as he does SOD ALL in the AREA i live in) Mr Mulla only helps people who will vote for him again. Ive seen him once in *** Knows how many years. The Councilors sghould get up off there BACKSIDES get in to the Wards and talk to the residents and sort out the underlining problems. instead of getting planning app aproved for there mates to have the extenisons done grants here and there etc etc. our AREA is becoming a S*** TIP as we dont have a PROPER WARD COUNCILOR (OH SORRY YES WE DO MR MULLA WHEN HE BOTHERED TO COME ROUND????!!!!)Again, I wonder which ward this muppet lives on. Salim Mulla is probably one of a few hardest working councillors in the ward. Maybe you got yourself mixed up with Sidat. Get your facts straight before accusing people. He isnt the only councillor in the ward there are 2 others well one other the lib dem cant speak english.
junta party, zameen says...
6:07pm Thu 10 Apr 08
concerned, blackburn says...
6:21pm Thu 10 Apr 08
DMC, Shearbrow says...
6:33pm Thu 10 Apr 08
Aliyah Adam wrote:Suleman khonat has lost his seat twice already.. it shows you and everybody people else he is not wanted by the shearbrow ward. We needed a change and we GOT IT
sajid ibrahim did the right thing, regardless of how bad it looks. As a shear brow ward resident for 17 years, i can say that some councillors did a good job... especially Mr khonat. He has done countless things to help the community. He will be the right man to deal with the ward's issues. Where have muntazir and arif waghat been all year round.. they haven't done their job properly. About arif waghat he has disgraced himself, his party, this community. i'll be voting for suleman khonat, he is the best candidate for the post.
AGAIN, QUEENS PARK WARD says...
6:42pm Thu 10 Apr 08
Queens Park Man wrote:To QUEENS PARK MAN , I live in the QUEENS PARK WARD covered by MR MULLA And i have not seen ANYONE from any PARTY INCLUDING MR MULLA so B$ you start calling PEOPLE MUPPETS GET YOUR FACTS RIGHT
Again wrote: Abit like Mr S Mulla who is labours Queens Park councilor( i cant really call him that as he does SOD ALL in the AREA i live in) Mr Mulla only helps people who will vote for him again. Ive seen him once in *** Knows how many years. The Councilors sghould get up off there BACKSIDES get in to the Wards and talk to the residents and sort out the underlining problems. instead of getting planning app aproved for there mates to have the extenisons done grants here and there etc etc. our AREA is becoming a S*** TIP as we dont have a PROPER WARD COUNCILOR (OH SORRY YES WE DO MR MULLA WHEN HE BOTHERED TO COME ROUND????!!!!)Again, I wonder which ward this muppet lives on. Salim Mulla is probably one of a few hardest working councillors in the ward. Maybe you got yourself mixed up with Sidat. Get your facts straight before accusing people. He isnt the only councillor in the ward there are 2 others well one other the lib dem cant speak english.
concerned, says...
6:57pm Thu 10 Apr 08
Peer bhai, london road says...
8:05pm Thu 10 Apr 08
ibrahim (passport office), under world don says...
8:21pm Thu 10 Apr 08
Karbhari, Shearbrow says...
8:30pm today Thu 10 Apr 08
andrew, corporation says...
8:48pm Thu 10 Apr 08
abu bakr, revidge road says...
9:01pm Thu 10 Apr 08
DJ, St Marys says...
9:16pm Thu 10 Apr 08
ian j, blackburn says...
9:23pm Thu 10 Apr 08
Paul, street says...
9:29pm Thu 10 Apr 08
stevi silverline, Darwen st says...
9:34pm Thu 10 Apr 08
Sim free, Preston says...
9:45pm Thu 10 Apr 08
Shazad Akh, Whalley range says...
9:48pm Thu 10 Apr 08
sTRONG hOLD, bEARDWOOD says...
9:51pm Thu 10 Apr 08
bhopa, shearbrow says...
9:54pm Thu 10 Apr 08
Imran Shearbrow, blackburn says...
10:35pm Thu 10 Apr 08
shearbrow resident, shearbrow says...
9:13am Fri 11 Apr 08
dissapointed, shearbrow says...
9:18am Fri 11 Apr 08
concerned, blackburn says...
10:07am Fri 11 Apr 08
10 Downing Street, Westminister says...
1:40pm Fri 11 Apr 08
The Flyer Printers, Blackburn says...
1:47pm Fri 11 Apr 08
Sajid's wellwisher, China Town says...
1:50pm Fri 11 Apr 08
muntazir, Bburn says...
5:29pm Fri 11 Apr 08
wahhhhhhhhh, Blackburn says...
7:32pm Fri 11 Apr 08
10 Downing Street wrote:ur such a wannabe gerra lyf m8
I as the prime minister thinks that all this is a shambles.. i dnt fink khonat is fit enuf to represent labour.. and sajid as 4 u.. wot were u finkin m8??? Wah side of da bed did u get out 4r.. obviously the wrong one.. ur gna regret dis decison for da rest of ur life mark my words.. and wen u do regret it **** and let me no u no wer i live!!
Labour, Randal street says...
8:21am Sat 12 Apr 08
Fraud, Whalley Range says...
8:23am Sat 12 Apr 08
cyarsobees, shear brow says...
11:33am Sat 12 Apr 08
soap opera wrote:soap opera do you want to canvass for me - i'll cut you in a little deal
cyarsobees wrote:you get my vote.first honest thing i have read from a candadate lol
hi all just to let u all know im standin as the independent candidate in the shear brow ward. my only motive is to fill my pockets with the council\'s coffers, get my double extension and probably help the most needy in the ward i.e. myself the others justify themselves by joining a party im doing it on my own my pitch is \"at least im honest about it\"
saz, Towncentre says...
2:02pm Sat 12 Apr 08
soap opera, coronation st says...
6:01pm Sat 12 Apr 08
cyarsobees wrote:i'll be round later i'll bring my own pen to fill the voting forms in.
soap opera wrote:soap opera do you want to canvass for me - i'll cut you in a little dealcyarsobees wrote: hi all just to let u all know im standin as the independent candidate in the shear brow ward. my only motive is to fill my pockets with the council\'s coffers, get my double extension and probably help the most needy in the ward i.e. myself the others justify themselves by joining a party im doing it on my own my pitch is \"at least im honest about it\"you get my vote.first honest thing i have read from a candadate lol
Saleem, Blackburn says...
11:21pm Mon 14 Apr 08
:-), Queens Park Ward says...
3:40pm Tue 15 Apr 08
Saleem wrote:Totaly Agree With You On That One
As an Asian person living in Blackburn I am ashamed of the political circus surrounding the Asian councillors. I empathises with the white folk of the town who see this shambles and wonder what on earth is happening to this town. I\'m sick to the back teeth with reading about unscrupulous Asian people in Blackburn. They are fuelling the racist tendencies that white people harber. I\'m just disappointed that the BNP are not contesting a seat in my ward as they would certainly get my vote. As much as it pains me to say it, the BNP seem a better option that voting for any of these fools. Asian councillors, hang your heads in shame. You\'ve let us all down.
abby, s@hotmail.com says...
8:02pm Tue 15 Apr 08
hamid, Lancs says...
8:19pm Tue 15 Apr 08
Angry Resident, Shearbrow says...
8:25pm Tue 15 Apr 08
Saleem, Blackburn says...
8:43pm Tue 15 Apr 08
Altom, Altom St says...
12:29pm Wed 16 Apr 08
Saleem, Blackburn says...
2:45pm Wed 16 Apr 08
Sam, East park rd says...
5:58pm Thu 17 Apr 08
Saleem, Blackburn says...
6:04pm Thu 17 Apr 08
Rusty Bedsprings, Audley says...
6:06pm Thu 17 Apr 08
Queens Park Man, Queens Park says...
8:45pm Thu 17 Apr 08
Saleem, Blackburn says...
11:57am Fri 18 Apr 08
imran, Bburn says...
5:54pm Fri 18 Apr 08
Salim Chodooo Logat, Revidge says...
11:00pm Mon 28 Apr 08
Kalima Adam, Blackburn says...
2:00pm Wed 7 May 08
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Imran, blackburn says...
11:02pm Tue 8 Apr 08