Kashif Ali selected for Oldham election

The Conservative Party have confirmed Kashif Ali as their Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for the Oldham East and Saddleworth By-election.

Ali, born and raised in Oldham, currently practices law as a full time Barrister in Manchester and lists his interests as being human rights, discrimination, social justice and international law. He's also the former Deputy Chairman of the Manchester Conservative Federation. He currently sits on the Board of a national charity providing housing and support services for adults with mental health problems and learning difficulties.

Speaking about his re-selection Ali said:

“It is a great honour and extremely exciting to be the Conservative candidate for Oldham East and Saddleworth. It’s an honour because I was born and brought up here, I live in the constituency and feel strongly about doing everything I can to help improve the area for local residents.

“For the last three years I have been fighting for local people. I have been fighting to secure investment in local NHS services, to deliver a zero percent increase in Council tax, to deliver a cinema complex, to restore Oldham market to its former glory days, to bring common sense to the Council’s parking charges and enforcement regime, to cut Councillors allowances and to deal with anti-social behaviour which is so widespread in many communities.

“As we go into this by-election, being an Oldhamer born and bred, I promise if elected to be a committed, listening and accessible local MP who will make local economic regeneration and fighting crime his two top priorities.”

Kashif came third in the recent General Election with nearly 12,000 votes behind the LibDem candidate who lost by just 183 votes to the former minister Phil Woolas.