Local champion tipped for Parliament

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 12th Apr 2007

Aqila Choudhry, executive director of an organisation working with people in Leeds with learning difficulties and disabilities, has been chosen as their Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for the next general election by Leeds North East Liberal Democrats, meeting on Tuesday 27 March.

Says Aqila, "I am honoured to be Liberal Democrats' choice. When the general election comes, I shall be asking all the people of Leeds North East for their trust and to make me their strong independent voice in Parliament. In the meantime, I shall be Liberal Democrats' Parliamentary Spokesperson for all the people of Leeds North East. I have worked to help people out of poverty all my working life. Yet, today we hear that child poverty in Britain has actually increased! Never has the need been greater for Leeds to have Liberal Democrats in Parliament."

"I have lived in this constituency for over 30 years, with my Mum and two teenage children. Before my present job, I worked at Chapeltown Citizen's Advice Bureau for many years. I am active in Chapel Allerton, helping people with their problems."

Aqila is also the Liberal Democrat candidate for Chapel Allerton ward in the council elections in May.

Adds John Clay, Liberal Democrat Leeds North East constituency chairman, "Probably everybody knows somebody Aqila has helped. We know that, when the time comes, she could be a strong voice in Parliament. Meantime, we're getting on with the council elections."