Bromsgrove candidate makes pledge on expenses
Feb 18 2010 By Jonathan Walker
“I think people believe back bench MPs in particular don’t have enough influence. I want them to have more of a say, for example by having greater powers to scrutinise legislation and over the Parliamentary timetable, so they rather than the Government are able to decide what is discussed.”
Without criticising Mr Cameron, he also made it clear he had no intention of being held up as proof of the Conservative Party’s commitment to diversity.
“Being a Muslim is part of my heritage, but it’s not part of my politics. “I grew up in a working class estate, my father was a bus driver, I have had a career outside politics, I am a father – all these things are what have defined me and motivated me in politics.
“Margaret Thatcher became my inspiration when I was young. People practice their religion in different ways. I would not describe myself as a practicing Muslim. My wife is Christian for example. Religion does not factor into my analysis at all.
“It is not how I choose to describe myself.”
Instead, he points to his career outside politics, as a vice president in Chase Manhattan Bank and then with Deutsche Bank.
“I think people will feel that we need people in politics from all walks of life, but particularly people with real world experience. I’m not a career politician.”
* Other candidates to watch
* Shabana Mahmood, Labour candidate for Ladywood, divided local party opinion and now hopes to replace Clare Short in the Commons.
* Richard Burt, Lib Dem candidate for Worcestershire West is the husband of Solihull MP Lorely Burt. He is an outsider to overturn a 3,500 Conservative majority – although the Conservative candidate is an investment banker.
* Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, Conservative candidate for Chippenham. Born in Jamaica he grew up in Small Heath, and founded a successful agricultural business. He is somewhat of a rebel.
* Margot James, Conservative candidate for Stourbridge, was selected from David Cameron’s “A-list” of preferred candidates, designed to get more women and ethnic minorities into winnable seats.
* Emma Reynolds, Labour candidate for Wolverhampton North East. She is a former special advisor to Geoff Hoon when he was transport secretary and hopes to inherit Labour’s solid majority.
