Shiria Khatun

Councillor in Tower Hamlets

Being a community activist campaigning for social justice from an early age I had always had the motivation to help create change for the betterment of my local community. However on many occasions I found that my efforts lacked the influence required to actually make change happen – which prompted me to realise I had to be on the other side of the fence and get elected as a councillor.

I come from a humble background. When my father came to this country he worked as a foreman in a steel factory in Birmingham. While he worked long hours my mother was a housewife taking care of my sister, my brother and I. As a child I remember my parents talking about the Labour Party and how, in their opinion, that was the only party that recognised and represented labourers like my father. My interest in politics was always encouraged and I began social campaigning form an early age.

I really enjoy helping people, I try to spend as much time as possible on my casework to get effective results especially when I am dealing with a challenging issue that initially seems difficult to resolve. I have female Bangladeshi constituents that come to my house in the evenings to discuss and deal with issues or for help filling out forms. I also often end up catching up with people on the bus and taking up their enquiries.

I have excellent support in doing my job as local councillor, from my husband as well as from my relatives who live nearby and neighbours. This really helps me do the job well.