Farooq Qureshi, a profile of your local Liberal Democrat parlimentary candidate for Leyton and Wanstead

9.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 28th Apr 2010

Farooq Qureshi Liberal Democrat campaigner, Forest Ward Councillor and Lib Dem candidate for MP.

I have lived in Waltham Forest since 1969. My children were born here and went to local schools. During this period I have actively participated in local social and political life and took a leading role in several campaigns. Throughout my life I have believed in, and fought for, a better, fairer and a caring society, where my children and those of our entire fellow citizen's, are given equal opportunities and, are equipped with decent education and the necessary skills to live a decent and responsible life.....

As a local businessman, employing more than 25 people at one time, I tried to ensure that I gave a fair chance to them and provide them with opportunities to further their careers and skills. It also provided me with valuable experience as a businessman understanding the needs and aspirations of the business community.

My voluntary work also spans some 30 years, both locally and nationally. I have been an active member of several community organisations in the area and represented some at national level. As an active member of the local Muslim Community, I played an active role in the establishment of the local Mosque on Lea Bridge Road and helped develop the organisational and management structures of, both the Mosque and the Waltham Forest Asian Centre. At both places I worked very closely with many other key members of our community forming a well organised and an effective team. Having worked as a School Governor in a secondary school has also given me an insight to the education system and the educational needs of our children, particularly issues raised by various Government and Ofsted inspection reports.

I was also heavily involved in the issues that emerged from the Younis Khan family's tragic murder that griped the area in the early 80's. Combating racism and promoting better Police-Community relations (particularly young people) occupied my attention for several years. This enabled me to gain experience in family counseling, casework, confidence building, youth work and getting the communities working together to eliminate racism and fascism. My involvement with Pakistan Muslim League, where I served on the National Executive (UK) and was Chairman of the Greater London branch, has given me both political and organisational skills. These skills have been enhanced through my work in the Lib-Dem party, both as a member of the Focus Team and as a candidate for the local Councillorship.

As a Poet, writer and an Author, I have great interest in Literature, Arts and Cultural activities. I have written several articles, as a Freelance journalist, for local and national newspapers in UK and in Pakistan, presented stage shows, compared cultural and social programmes, hosted weekly community Radio and TV programmes and written articles.

I was elected as a councillor in May 2003 for Forest Ward in London Borough of Waltham Forest, re-elected in 2006 and became the mayor of Waltam Forest for 2006/7. In March 2007, I was elected as the Lib-Dem Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Leyton and Wanstead Constituency.

I was appointed Chair of the Planning committee for 2007/8, Chair of Licensing committee for 2008/9 and 2009/10 and Chair of Leyton & Wanstead community council for 2009/10