‘Retiring Labour MP Lynne Jones has dropped a bombshell on her party by backing a candidate from a rival party to replace her in the House of Commons.
Dr Jones is refusing to vote for Roger Godsiff, the Labour candidate in the Birmingham constituency where she lives.
Instead, she is supporting Salma Yaqoob, high-profile candidate for the Respect Party and a Sparkbrook councillor.
Her announcement is a blow to Labour’s hopes of holding on to the Hall Green constituency, where it was already facing a strong challenge from Respect…’ Continue reading at the Birmingham Posthere.
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.
Here’s a selection of events and causes Birmingham councillor Salma Yaqoob has been highlighting and supporting this past week:
Larches Park Clean Up
Larches Park in Sparkbrook
Both Cllr Salma Yaqoob and Cllr Mohammed Ishtiaq (Respect) have been working closely with Larches Park Residents Group recently to help them improve their local neighbourhood and regain confidence in the use of their local park. Larches Park has been one of the areas that was left neglected for many years and had got pretty run down. Parents didn’t feel comfortable bringing their kids there until now. Morehere.
Bangladesh Independence Day
Bangladesh Ind. Day
Birmingham’s Bangladeshi community invited Cllr Salma Yaqoob to the Bia Lounge in Small Heath to celebrate Bangladesh Independence Day.
The event also marked International Mother Language Day in celebration of Bangla being the country’s national tongue. More here.
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Salma meets carers
Rewarding Parents
Salma was invited to present certificates to carers of family members of who disabilities. They had completed a seven week course organised by South Birmingham PCT in which they learnt more about understanding and coping with autism. More here.
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Campaigners from Bristol visit Birmingham
Bristol Respect team
Members of Bristol Respect and other supporters came to Birmingham to help Salma Yaqoob on her election trail to help her become MP for the Hall Green constituency.
They joined her with leafleting and met with members of the community. More here.
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Desi Donors Amun Ali Appeal
Desi Donors
Desi Donors have been set up to encourage individuals of south Asian origin to join the national Bone Marrow register to help those in need of a transplant. Working with the Anthony Nolan Trust, Desi Donors have been actively campaigning to save the life of young local school boy Amun Ali. Salma joined the drive in Small Heath, Birmingham and registered herself with over a hundred other volunteers. More here.
Fundraising dinner in aid of orphanages in Pakistan
Salma was the guest speaker at a fundraising dinner in the
Fundraising for orphans
Crystal Plaza for orphanages in Pakistan. About 600 people were present. Jannat al Ferdous, founded by Shamim Mahmood and family friends, have set up four orphanages in the last five years, helping over 800 Pakistani children. More here.
For more on Salma Yaqoob’s campaigning and council work, visit her website: www.salmayaqoob.com
Salma Yaqoob is regularly taking to the streets on weekends and wants you to support her General Election campaign. Join her and the team as they leaflet wards in the Hall Green constituency and talk to local residents.
You can meet Salma and the team at 11.30am every Saturday and Sunday at Birmingham Respect’s new office on 95 Walford Road, Sparkbrook, Birmingham B11 1NP. There is a map here.
From now to the end of the campaign all of Salma’s campaigning activity will commence from 95 Walford Road in Sparkbrook.
Please come along and bring others. For more info or updates, please call: 07812172887.
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
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.
A tribute to the recently deceased American socialist academicHoward 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.
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.”
Birmingham Respect 