BRADFORD South may have been a Labour seat ever since the end of the Second World War - but in this general election the Constituency could throw up some surprises.
Incumbent Labour MP Judith Cummins, who has been in post since 2015, currently enjoys a relatively healthy majority of 6,700 after gaining 54 per cent of the vote in the 2017 election.
However, one big issue may upend usual voting patterns this time around - Brexit. The Leave vote in Bradford South was particularly high - 63.5 per cent.
The Telegraph & Argus asked all five Bradford South Candidates for a short biography.
JUDITH CUMMINS - LABOUR
“I am proud to have been the Labour MP for Bradford South since 2015. I work hard and campaign in a no-nonsense, common sense way to improve our local area.
“There is a great deal at stake in this election. The future of our NHS, getting police back on the streets fighting crime, improving our local services after a decade of cuts, and securing jobs for people here in Bradford South. Only Labour has policies that will address these issues and invest in Bradford.
“Over the last nine years, the Tories have let us down. They have left the country divided and in an uncertain position. I believe we need to bring people together, whether they voted leave or remain.
“I have a track record of helping thousands of local people and putting Bradford South first. From securing more NHS dental places, fighting to keep the Bulls here in Bradford, and campaigning to clamp down on dangerous drivers on our roads, I have made your priorities my priorities.
“I am the only candidate on the ballot paper who lives in our constituency and, if re-elected, I will continue to devote myself full time to the people of Bradford South.”
NARINDER SINGH SEKHON - CONSERVATIVES
“Narinder Singh Sekhon is a British Indian, born and raised in Bradford. He has been a barrister for 19 years. Over 150 guests attended his launch night on November 25 at the Guide Post Hotel, Low Moor; speakers included Councillor Matthew Bibby, Councillor Robert Hargreaves, Mr Mohammed Riaz, and Mr Barry Whitaker OBE.
Narinder fully supports the Conservative Party pledges to boost the National Health Service to the sum of £33.9 billion and ensuring an extra 20,000 police officers to “beat the streets’ of every city to reduce crime.
Narinder will fight to ensure these are delivered in a timely fashion and that resources are not just allocated to Southern Cities. He vowed resources would be directed towards Bradford and indeed for the benefit of the constituents of the 6 Bradford South Wards.
Narinder added it is imperative to ’get Brexit done’ rather than follow the precedent set by the sitting Labour member of Parliament who voted against Brexit. He highlighted that “if you do not respect the Vote then you do not respect the Voter!”
The launch was completed by referencing ‘Bradford Bulls’ where he identified his aim of securing investment, essential to get Bradford Bulls home.”
ALUN GRIFFITHS - LIBERAL DEMOCRAT
"Dr Alun Griffiths is a General Practitioner based at Horton Park were he has worked for 36 years. He lives in Bradford with his fiancee Anthea, he has two grown up children and a granddaughter. Alun is a keen runner (He ran the London Marathon for the Lord Mayors charity in 2017). He is a run leader and committee member for his running club and volunteers regularly at Horton Park parkrun. Alun is a steward in the methodist Church and sings in a community choir. He also plays and sings a bit in a couple of bands and at folk clubs. Alun’s priorities are fighting for investment in schools, in training and for a new special school. He will campaign for a well funded social care service that supports the most vulnerable. As a GP he has seen at first hand the problems caused by under investment in the NHS and also the hardship endured by many families. He will work hard to revitalise the district’s economy and social fabric.
"If elected Alun Griffiths will deliver for Bradford South and fight for our district in parliament. You can rely on him to stand up for us."
KULVINDER MANIK - BREXIT PARTY
“Dr Kulvinder Manik is a father. He is a child of Indian and Kenyan immigrants, and a doctor with over 22 years of dedicated clinical service to the NHS in Bradford hospitals and the community.
He is a trained barrister, has an MA in Oriental Studies from Cambridge University, and an LLM in legal practice. He is a member of the Royal College of General Practitioners, Gray’s Inn and the human rights charity, JUSTICE. He is the resident doctor for a local Bradford charity’s winter homeless shelter.
He has worked in Africa for a medical charity delivering cataract surgery, for the Freedom from Torture charity, and for JUSTICE in reforming the treatment of mentally ill defendants in the criminal justice system.
His last 10 years have been as a GP specialising in the care of refugees, the destitute, deprived, mentally ill, drug addicts, asylum seekers, victims of trafficking, slavery, and exploitation.
“He has worked for HMCTS as a medical member for social security benefit tribunal appeals, helping to achieve just outcomes for the physically and mentally ill, and disabled. He has spent his whole professional life advocating for disadvantaged minorities. Now, he finds himself advocating for a disadvantaged, democratic majority.”
MATT EDWARDS - GREEN PARTY
Originally from Merseyside, Matt moved to Yorkshire to study politics at university in Leeds before upgrading to Bradford.
Matt has been involved in campaigns across Bradford since settling down here and over the last few years has campaigned on a number of different issues – from fly tipping to dangerous driving to protecting our green belt. Matt got started campaigning locally because he felt Bradford has been left behind – especially the south side of the city and decided that had to change. Matt joined the Green Party because of the party’s commitment stopping climate breakdown and because it seeks to transform our economy to benefit individuals rather than the super-rich and big businesses. He has stood for Bradford Council in 2015, 2017 and 2018 before coming within one vote of being the first Green councillor in Bradford South earlier this year.
Embarrassingly, Matt is a self-confessed fan of Scandinavian pop music and is known to enjoy one or two pints of locally brewed beer. Matt lives with his partner and dog and, when not campaigning with the local community, works at a high street bank helping people to manage their financial affairs.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel