I have been a Watford Borough Councillor for Leggatts ward since 1990 and County Councillor since 1993. Peace and Equality of Opportunity are causes that I fought for all my life and representing Vicarage/Holywell County Division, where many of my constituents face problems of discrimination, gives me the opportunity to help if I can. I am a member of the Multiracial Community Centre, West Watford Community Association, Citizens Advice Bureau and a governor in two schools including Westfield College. I advise people on secondary school entry knowing that most schools in the Watford area have their own admission criteria that do not favour local children.

I was a member of the Labour party from 1978 and a Labour councillor from 1990 to 2002. When Blair joined Bush in attacking Iraq I found it intolerable, especially since the local MP did not want to support my many constituents and others by voting against Blair. Since 11 September 2001 the muslim community in Watford face even more discrimination than before, and the only party out of the three main ones that opposed the war was the Lib/Dems; so after careful consideration I joined. It sounds all gloomy but there are rewards working in a multicultural environment and feeling appreciated, so I hope that I will have the opportunity to continue after 5th of May.