MP Shahid reselected for Labour
25 September 2007
MP Shahid Malik received unanimous support from local Labour Party branches and trade unions as he was re-selected as the party's candidate for Dewsbury at the next General Election.The ballot result was formally announced at a meeting of the party's executive on Friday and involved Labour branches in Dewsbury, Mirfield, Denby Dale and Kirkburton as well as members from Unison, GMB, Unite and the Co-operative Society.
The MP, who had a majority over the Tories of 4,615 in May 2005, will fight the next general election with a much changed constituency due to recent boundary changes.
Heckmondwike becomes part of Batley & Spen whilst Denby Dale and Kirkburton move into the Dewsbury constituency from Wakefield.
Dewsbury East councillor Paul Kane was one of the first to congratulate the MP on his reselection: "Shahid has been a breath of fresh air and has made a lot of friends and impressed a lot of people over the past two-and-a-half-years, not least myself. He's proven to one and all that he's not frightened of upsetting the apple cart if it means getting results for Dewsbury, he's exactly the sort of guy we need fighting our corner in Westminster."
Denby Dale councillor Maggie Blanshard said: "Shahid's energy, vision and commitment to getting the best for local people is obvious. He's really taken to Denby Dale and I'm sure that come the general election Denby Dale will have really taken to him. Shahid will make a great MP for our area."
Dewsbury Labour Party Secretary, Mike Greetham, announcing the result said, "I am particularly delighted that the whole party in Dewsbury, including the new branches of Denby Dale and Kirkburton, has come together and spoken with one voice. They are very impressed with the progress that Shahid has made and keen to see him continue to work for the people of the area".
Shahid said: "The last two years have been the greatest privilege of my life and I am truly honoured that hundreds of local party members have judged and put their faith in me to be their candidate at the next general election."
Mr Malik, who joined the Labour Party at 15, entered parliament as Dewsbury's MP in May 2005 and quickly rose through the ranks and was appointed by Gordon Brown as Minister for International Development in June of this year.