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Election in turmoil as LibDem candidate says: I'm a Labour supporter
10:05pm Tuesday 8th April 2008
Comments (108) Have your say »
By Tom Moseley »
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.
Your Say YourTelegraph
andy, says...
11:20pm Tue 8 Apr 08
This Coalition has no mandate whatsoever from the voters to run this Council.
I believe that Labour have 31 seats, the Tories 17, the Liberals a measly 11, For Darwen 2, and three very dodgy independents. Yet this pick and mix totally disregarded the voters and their principles, if they had any, to take control of the Council, something the voters obviously did not want was thrust upon them. Supported by a benefit cheat, an alledged wife beater, and as someone else has described him Jackonory Johnston, who has been in three parties in as many years.
Don't talk about democracy Mr Lorgat, you obviously do not understand the meaning of the word, you lot only understand the hunger for power.
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. "
Well Councillor Foster, did you not take an Independant from Queesn Park, five minutes after he won the election.Did you not make a benefit cheat Deputy Leader of the Liberals, and did you not compromise all your principles by working with the Tories and For Darwen to cut peoples wages. I hardly think you are in a position to talk about principles. yours went out the door when you saw power.
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
Well Councillor Foster , did you not take an Independant from Queesn Park, five minutes after he won the election.Did you not make a benefit cheat Deputy Leader of the Liberals, and did you not compromise all your principles by working with the Tories and For Darwen to cut peoples wages. I hardly think you are in a position to talk about principles. yours went out the door when you saw power maybe sajid realized that he's working a bunch of no goers and decided he does;nt want to work with you.
Blackburn Born, Blackburn says...
9:24am Wed 9 Apr 08
stooball66, blackburn says...
9:29am Wed 9 Apr 08
A 68yr old pensioner born in blackburn called a ASIAN FEMALE A BLACK ASIAN FEMALE FOR parking on his driveway this pensioner now has to go to court to face charges of harrasment
if this isnt won then god help every white person in blackburn the time 0930 am please tell your friends to come to be supportive.
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
I personally think its not the headlines of the day, Im sure the front page of the paper has just been wasted
amused, says...
10:27am Wed 9 Apr 08
What happened to democracy. David Foster and Colin Rigby need to question their own principles. As for Tony Melia, he has none, as a Leader of two what mandate does he have to hold any position, the Independants ( three) out number For Darwen.
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
This happens to be the case with most of the Liberal candidates selected, past and present.
I was visited the other night by the Liberal candidate for Bastwell ward who acknowledged to me that he was new to this game and wasn't aware of the missgivings of previous Liberal councillors.
At least in the Labour Party our candidates must serve as members of the party before they can be selected as candidates.
I know we all have our renegades, but the Liberals are a joke.
queens park resident, queens park ward says...
12:42pm Wed 9 Apr 08
BB-, Blackburn says...
12:46pm Wed 9 Apr 08
I personally think its not the headlines of the day, Im sure the front page of the paper has just been wasted"
I completely agree with you Lib to Labr....there are many more inportant things going on in the world which LET should be printing on their front page!!!
this is surely not front page news but yet again LET are using this to encourage their feud with Labour!! LET need to sort it out!!
Sajid is a decent person...BIG DEAL he changed his mind!! worse things happen in life!!!
GET OVER IT!
Shear brow ward, Blackburn says...
1:42pm Wed 9 Apr 08
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.
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
"But then over the next two weeks I thought the Lib Dems were not the right party for me."
I could implement the changes I wanted to - yet another Councillor only doing the job for his own gains and alterior motives. I wonder what he stands to gain from being a Councillor? Are there any trustworthy elected members out there? I can't wait to get out of this hell-hole and leave them to it. Welcome to Blackburn, Lancashire's new Bradford!
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
All these losers are only in it for themselves.
But I blame the party bosses for choosing all these numpties as their candidates.
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
WHY GIVE MONKEYS A CHANCE WHEN THEY DONT KNOW THEIR WAY HOME.
ady, wimberley says...
7:40pm Wed 9 Apr 08
kim, ewood says...
7:50pm Wed 9 Apr 08
Lucky escape for early departure or he would have walked away from peoples problems.
cyarsobees, shear brow says...
8:17pm Wed 9 Apr 08
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"
Again, Blackburn says...
8:33pm Wed 9 Apr 08
(OH SORRY YES WE DO MR MULLA WHEN HE BOTHERED TO COME ROUND????!!!!)
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"
A classic example is an ex-Labour Councillor from the early 90s from this vicinity stood up and 'did his bit'.
On finishing his tenure moved to London, now you hear that he, along with his extended family still residing in these parts, own loads of land - in fact, just sold some near for around £3.5m
Regardless of race, creed, colour and religion, these *ankers are only in it for themselves!
PS: re Councillor Akhtar - only saw him wanting to shake my hand when it was time for the elections.
Bellend, Blackburn says...
11:20pm Wed 9 Apr 08
When you speak to most pensioners in Blackburn and the surrounding area, they are all for voting BNP, because they hate what is happening to this country and who is ruling it. The trouble with this society is that the younger generation of Asians seem to think that this country owes them something!!. Try working legitimately for a living and paying taxes back to the country first.
The Truth, Shear Brow says...
11:21pm Wed 9 Apr 08
Whilst he has been at odds with some of Labour's policies, he still remains a Labour supporter, despite coercive efforts by some senior members of Lib Dem party to make him defect to them.
The quotes used in all of Lib Dem leaflets were never those of Sajid's, I can assure you of that. These were carefully manipulated yet again by the Lib Dem hierarchy.
Furthermore, the quote in LET which read "Voters made a good choice in kicking out Labour after 20 years" was again not his quote. To prove this, the same quote, along with other quotes have been reprinted for the replacement candidate. I have a copy with me if any reader would like to see it, including the LET.
Now, make up your own mind who is dictating the agenda.
The Lib Dems have been so desparate to find a suitable candidate to stand in the Shear Brow ward that they have been knocking on every Tom's door since February, many of whom were bold enough to shut the door on them!!!
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
I want to finish by saying majority (if not all) of the councillors in Asian wards do not know the difference between the politics of the individual Parties, they win popularity contests rather than what they 'stand' for. its worrying when you see the calibre of people volunteering to represent these neighbourhoods.
what we need is young. driven people with a vision to come forward and stand for us, that is the only way we will rejuvenate the confidence in local politics otherwise these numpties will continue to win election after election, improving only their own lifestyles rather than the communities they represent.
Finally, its scandolous the council have to recruit translators to aide these 'councillors' to do their job, how can they make decisions when they cant fully understand what is on the table. the future is bleak to say the least!
Imran, blackburn says...
11:02pm Tue 8 Apr 08