It is once again a privilege for me to have a resounding success in the recent GLA election which will enable me to serve on the assembly for the third term as Brent and harrow’s representative. In the new term I will continue to serve with diligence and deliver aspirations and priorities of my constituents and those of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar readers. My sincere thanks to all for vesting your trust in me again for the third time and I shall not let you down. Like most of London the priorities of people of Brent and Harrow are those of building genuinely affordable housing; affordable and accessible public transport; visible community policing to drive down crime and tackle fear of crime; regeneration of local areas and attacking the problem of lethal air quality in our local areas. Working with local people and stakeholders I will continue my campaigns like the ones for step-free access at Harrow On The Hill – Northwick Park and Stanmore stations and clean bus corridor to improve local air quality. Protecting greenbelt from development, scrutinising skyscrapers and promoting cycling in outer London boroughs will also be on top of my agenda.
I’m passionate about the rich religious and ethnic diversity of London and the immense value it offers. I’m therefore deeply disappointed with the Tory mayoral campaign in London which has failed to uphold the values of diversity and equality by running a disgusting smear campaign against Labour’s mayoral candidate Sadiq Khan. They seemed to follow in the steps of Donald Trump! In our fight against terrorism we should be uniting communities and not dividing them. I’m pleased that Sadiq rose above the dirty tricks campaign and focused on his policies and offer for all Londoners. Sadiq truly deserves his resoundinng victory and I’d be working shoulder to shoulder with him to deliver for my residents in Brent and Harrow and communities Londowide.
Locally in Brent and Harrow the campaign, except for the Tories, was clean and fair and I pay tribute to those other candidates for their conduct and decency. Local Tories ran a personally insulting campaign against me based on lies. Shame that Tories saw it fit to stoop to gutter level politics. But, the fair minded and mature residents were not fooled and have given me a strong verdict. I will be working hard with the residents, stakeholders and community/resident organiasations to ensure that the work of the Mayor and London Assembly members like myself contribute directly to their well-being and enhnace London’s status as world’s leading city with its diverse communities working with each other in harmony.
