Salma Yaqoob for MP

Salma Yaqoob is standing for MP in Birmingham Hall Green

This May you have the chance to elect a new MP. Salma Yaqoob is a brave and committed campaigner. She will speak up for you.

– Fed up with politicians lining their own pockets?

– Angry at bankers keeping their bonuses?

– Let down by the lies that took us to war in Iraq and Afghanistan?

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She can do it!

In the 2005 General Election, Salma almost won with 10,498 votes.

Lib Dems trailed in THIRD and Conservatives FOURTH.

Only Salma can beat Labour in Birmingham Hall Green!

Labour in trouble – Labour was shocked to have its majority slashed from 16,246 to 3,289 in 2005. Since then they have become even more unpopular.

Lib Dems struggling – Jerry Evans’ vote reduced by half in his own Springfield ward in 2008.

In 2009 they only polled 500 votes in the Sparkbrook by-election. Lib Dems are losing support and cannot win.

For more: www.salmayaqoob.com

Bank Holiday Weekend Campaigning

The 'Salma Yaqoob for MP' election billboard poster is unveiled

Support for Salma Yaqoob’s Hall Green election campaign continued this weekend as residents, volunteers and supporters joined the campaign drive in the Birmingham constituency of Hall Green.

As billboards went up, new leaflets were delivered and Salma and her team knocked on doors to speak directly to local residents about their concerns.

Campaigning will be taking place throughout the week and every weekend so if you’d like to help, get in touch by calling: 078 121 72885. Our office is based in Walford Road, Sparkhill B11.

More information: www.salmayaqoob.com

Salma Yaqoob’s New Blog

Salma Yaqoob's new official campaign blog website

Salma Yaqoob has established a new website, www.salmayaqoob.com, that will be essential reading in the few weeks we have left before the general election, and of course hopefully she will then be able to use the same website to report what she is doing as MP for Birmingham Hall Green!

The Green Party campaign for Salma Yaqoob

Salma’s general election campaign is well under way. She needs all the support she can get. If you would like to volunteer your help in any way, you make a financial donation online, or ring on 078 121 72885 or email Salma at campaign@salmayaqoob.com

So far there have been the following stories:

Lib Dems mislead public on Sparkhill Baths, a local issue in the constituency, where the Lib Dems are, as they are all too often, being economical with the truth in their election leaflets

An account of meeting Ben White, author of ‘Israeli Apartheid: A Beginner’s Guide’ (Pluto Press 2009)

Reflections on the government’s failure to tackle inequality

A response to the Chilcot inquiry, with the good news that Respect MP George Galloway will be on BBC TV’s Question Time on Thursday, at 10.35pm. The show is being broadcast from Coventry. Other guests are Clare Short, Lord Falconer and Melanie Phillips.

An account of how members of the Green Party were out campaigning for Salma last weekend (see picture above)

Salma’s own response to the Chilcot inquiry

A tribute to the recently deceased American socialist academic Howard Zinn

and a discussion of the significance of Islam4UK’s provocation in announcing a proposed march in Wootton Bassett, and the importance of there being a debate about the Afghan war in the political mainstream.

Salma Yaqoob calls for Roger Godsiff to pay back £87,000

Councillor Salma Yaqoob, Hall Green parliamentary candidate for the Respect Party, says it is time for a clear out of greedy MPs in the wake of revelations about MP Roger Godsiff’s expense claims.

Salma Yaqoob commented:

Salma Yaqoob confronts Roger Godsiff MP

“I represent one of the poorest areas in Birmingham. Thousands of my constituents are struggling to make ends meet in the face of a recession that is causing pain to many people. It is hardly surprising that there is deep anger at the spectacle of MPs enriching themselves at our expense.

“Roger Godsiff’s family live in a London home and are registered to vote there, making it his main residence in most people’s eyes. However, by claiming it as his ‘second home’ he has claimed £87,000 of tax payers’ money for it in the last four years.

“He should pay back this money.

“He has also made thousands of pounds worth of claims on his Sheldon home in Birmingham for ‘guttering’ and ‘shower repairs’, and even claimed for a lawn mower under ‘office sundries’. Oddly this home is not even in his constituency!

Salma Yaqoob slashed Roger Godsiff's election majority in 2005

“Roger Godsiff’s behaviour smacks of contempt for his constituents and raises more questions about MPs abuse of the expenses system.

“We have heard enough to know that none of the three big parties have clean hands. Everywhere we look there is a new scandal. Enough is enough. It is time for a clear out.”

Councillor Salma Yaqoob accuses Tories of ‘outrageous deception’

The controversial and offensive Conservative election leaflet for the Lozells East and Handsworth by-election suggests Salma Yaqoob supports their candidate Raja Khan. A 'disgusted' Salma accused the party of deception and is planning legal action.

Respect Councillor Salma Yaqoob has blasted the Conservative party for using her photograph on election material, without permission, to imply support for their candidate in the forthcoming Lozells East and Handsworth by-election.

Cllr Yaqoob said: “I am outraged and disgusted that the Tory candidate in Lozells East and Handsworth [Raja Khan] has produced an election leaflet using my photo and implying that I am supporting him.

“Nothing could be further from the truth. Mr Khan approached me for a photo on the recent trade union defend jobs demo in Birmingham. I agreed on the explicit condition that it not be used in any way for party political purposes.

“The use of my image on Tory publicity is a deliberate attempt to mislead the voters of Lozells East and Handsworth. It is a disgraceful abuse of the political process and flies in the face of David Cameron’s calls to ‘clean-up’ politics.

“The public are sick and tired of deceitful politicians. Now that they have been exposed I hope the voters Lozells East and Handsworth punish the Conservatives for their willful deception.

“In the meantime, I am seeking legal advice on what recourse I have against them’.

Campaigning for Ray Gaston – Leafleting

Ray Gaston

Respect Birmingham Moseley & Kings Heath candidate Ray Gaston’s campaign team will be leafleting in Moseley tonight at 6pm.

If you can assist, meet with the team tonight (April 8th, 2008):

Time: 6pm
Location: 16 Oxford St, Moseley, Birmingham B13

Download: Birmingham Moseley & Kings Heath newsletter | April 2008

Download the new Respect newsletter for Birmingham Moseley & Kings Heath in pdf. format to find out more about candidate Ray Gaston’s local campaigns, achievements and election pledges:

>> Click here to download Moseley & Kings Heath newsletter (April 2008)