Walsall: Conservative councillor, Respect candidate join Liberal Democrats

Headline says it all really as Colin Ross has reported:

Mohammed Yaqub, the former Conservative Councillor for St. Matthews Ward of Walsall Borough Council has joined the Liberal Democrats and is backing them in the forthcoming elections.

Mohammed Yaqub, who was a Councillor between 1992 to 1996 and again between 2000 and 2004, has joined the Liberal Democrats as he sees the party as the only one with the right answers to the problems facing Walsall, the West Midlands and the country.

Mohammed said “The Liberal Democrats are the only party determined to help people and represent their views and opinions. The Conservative Party is only interested in power not people, they will say anything to get into and stay in power – making promises they will not keep.”

Mohammed is urging other former conservatives to back the Liberal Democrats in the local elections on 3rd May. He said “I am backing the Liberal Democrats, I am asking other former, and current, Conservatives to look past David Cameron’s spin and see them for what they are. Only the Liberal Democrats stand up for the concerns of ordinary people and fight for what is right.”

The Liberal Democrats were also recently joined by Nadia Fazal, the RESPECT party’s candidate in the 2005 General Election. Nadia is now standing for the Liberal Democrats in Willenhall South at these local elections, the result of which is looking too close to call. Nadia said “Like Mohammed I joined the Liberal Democrats because of their commitment for working hard for local residents and also their national policies, particularly being the only mainstream party to oppose the War in Iraq.”

Councillor Ian Shires, Leader of the Liberal Democrats in Walsall said “Both Mohammed and Nadia’s decisions to join the Liberal Democrats opens up many exciting options for the Liberal Democrats. Mohammed is a leading member of the community and was a well respected Councillor for eight years. We have also recently had two members join from Labour – former Mayor of Walsall, Norman Matthews and Hanif Asmal showing we are attracting new members from across the political spectrum. We have also attracted a leading businesswoman and star of television’s ‘The Apprentice’ Jo Cameron to the party, she is also standing in these local elections. I look forward to working with Mohammed, Nadia, Norman, Hanif and Jo in this and future elections making the Liberal Democrats a force to be reckoned with.”