Rushanara Ali MP visits Luton

Maruf Ahmed: The Bangladeshi Friends of Labour Party (Luton) organised a reception in honour of the first elected British Bangladeshi MP to House of Commons. This was Rushanara Ali’s first visit to Luton. The MP was also visiting to support the Labour campaign just 11 days before the local council elections.
The event was attended by a number dignitaries including Gavin Shukar MP and Shadow Minister for Natural Environment, Leader of the Stevenage Borough Council Cllr Sharon Taylor, Deputy Leader of Luton Borough Council Cllr Robin Harris, and a number of  Labour Candidates standing for the 5th of May elections.
Cllr Tahir Khan, Lead Executive for Children Services conducted the reception event and said: “the Labour Party is a party of social justice and fairness that has provided a platform for people from diverse communities. Rushanara Ali MP is a prominent example of that. That is why I joined the Labour Party at the age of 18 so that I could work within the system to bring about change and ensure equality for all”.  
Rushanara Ali MP thanked the Luton Bangaladeshi community for their “heartfelt and warm welcome”. She said: “in the forthcoming election the Bangladeshi community should vote for the party and not for an individual as it is the party policy that affects the lives of the people.
She added: “I would like everyone to reflect on the devastating cuts the current Con-Dem coalition government have inflicted on ordinary people where an average family with children in education could be worse off in excess of £3000 per year”.
She further emphasised that the “Labour Party is a party of fairness and justice for all, and I urge people to vote for Labour on May 5th. That is the only way people can send a strong message to this government.”
Amongst the other speakers were Gavin Shukar MP, John Whitaker Chairman of Luton South Labour Party, Oli Khan, Dr Ruhul Amin, Dr Nazia Khanum, Abul Hussain, Ramis Ali, Cllr Abdur Raquib, Maruf Ahmed and others.  
Following the reception Roshanara Ali MP led a large gathering to campaign in the Biscot ward and met with local constituents.