Labour selects Bradford West Candidate

The party confirmed its choice this afternoon after a special selection panel made up of members of its ruling national executive committee interviewed candidates from an all-woman shortlist.

Ms Shah, who chairs the Sharing Voices Bradford charity was on the shortlist when the local party first selected its candidate last month.

On that occasion, London councillor Amina Ali was chosen but just days later she stepped down citing family reasons although local figures have suggested it was the result of wider turmoil in the party.

Mss Shah first came to public attention for campaigning on behalf of her mother, Zoora Shah, who was jailed for poisoning her partner after suffering years of domestic violence.

Speaking after her selection today, she said: “I’m proud to have been chosen as the Labour Party’s candidate for the seat in which I was born and am proud to call home.

“I am someone with a track record of campaigning and working for grass roots change and promise that if elected I will be a visible presence for Bradford West constituents and a stark alternative to divisive figure George Galloway.

“As is well documented I have faced big challenges in my life – I know the struggles being faced by families across Bradford West because they are struggles I have had to experience myself too. My life, since as far back as I can possibly remember, has been about having responsibility. From the age of 6 I became an ‘interpreter’ for my mother as my father had left her with two young children and expecting a third child.”

Mr Galloway took Bradford West, a seat previously held comfortably by Labour, in a by-election in 2012.

Ms Shah said: “In the by-election in 2012 people here were sold a fake vision by a man who now admits he is more interested in winning elections than actually representing his constituents. I know much of the anger that people felt about mainstream parties in Bradford then still exists now, but so does a deep sense of betrayal among residents here – particularly women and young people – that Galloway led them to the top of the mountain then deserted them.”

Ms Shah was born in Bradford but moved to Pakistan when she was 12. After returning at the age of 15 she was the subject of a forced marriage and not allowed to return to school.

But she went on to become a carer of children and adults with disabilities and has served on the boards of several charities.