Cllrs Farooq Qureshi, Bob Sullivan, James O`Rourke and Samina Safdar enjoyed a day out at the Waltham Forest annual Asian Mela. Lib Dem Focus team member Mahmood Faiz was also at the Mela raising funds for a charity. Cllr Safdar was accompanied by her children.

Thousands of people from across the Borough and beyond enjoyed a day out. There were fun rides for the children and plenty of food stall for every one to enjoy. This Council funded event has become an important event in the Borough calender.

Waltham Forest council has purchased a new drugs testing machine to be used in conjunction with Metropolitan Police. This machine can pick up traces of all types of drugs from any surface.

Pc Neal and officers of the Council presented the machine to the Councillors prior to full Council meeting at the Town Hall. Cllr Farooq Qureshi, Cllr Samina Safdar and a number of other Councillors watched the demonstration with interest.

We hope that with help of this equipment, the authorities will be able to clean up the area from drugs.

Following controversial de-selection of some of the long serving Labour Councillors, Cllr Milton Martin has crossed the floor and joined the Liberal Democrats. Cllr Martin will carry on serving Cathall Ward as a Lib Dem Councillor.

Speaking about his move Cllr Martin said: “I have increasingly found myself disillusioned with the direction of the Labour party both locally and nationally, and the deselection for me was the final straw.

This move has increased the number of Lib Dem Councillors in Waltham Forest to 21. The number of Labour Councillors has gone down to 24(so far) and the Conservatives remain unchanged on 15. 

All of the black Labour Councillors have been ousted, prompting comments that the de-selections were racially motivated.

Leader of the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg MP attended a rally called by the Walthamstow PPC Farid Ahmed.

Leyton and Wanstead PPC Cllr Farooq Qureshi, Forest Focus team member Haroon Munir, William Morris Focus team member Talat Khan and Raja Allah Ditta Khan were amongst other Lib Dem Councillors, activists and members, who attended the rally.

Internal power groups within Waltham Forest’s Labour Party have caused the de-selection of some of the long serving councillors, who will not be able stand in next years local elections.

All black councillors have been ousted by the Waltham Forest Labour Party, prompting comments that the de-selections were racially motivated.

Following the revelation about his expenses claims and the subsequent investigation, Labour MP Harry Cohan has decided to step down at the next election. Amongst his other expenses, Harry Cohan claimed for the redecoration of his home which he later sold, and then charged the taxpayer £12,000 for stamp duty and fees.

Liberal Democrats parliamentary candidate for Leyton and Wanstead Cllr. Farooq Qureshi says:

“It is clear that many MPs have misused public money. These people are not fit to serve and Harry is near the top of the list. If the elections are called next year, Mr Cohan will continue to have an entire year’s worth of salary, pension fund and more expenses claimed from the taxpayer. We need an election now to put a stop to this expenses scandal. GORDON BROWN SHOULD CALL ELECTIONS NOW.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Huhne MP was the chief guest at a rally called by the Liberal Democrats of Leyton and Wanstead.

Speaking at the rally, Chris Huhne MP said: Some of the Labour Government’s foreign policies have dented the British reputation across the globe. We need to review those policies to restore trust and learn from our mistakes such as the Iraq war. We, the Liberal Democrats have called on the Government to hold the Iraq war inquiry in public and not behind closed doors.

Speaking about the next general election the shadow Home Secretary said that Cllr Farooq Qureshi would make an ideal PPC for Leyton and Wanstead. Cllr Qureshi is a hard working councillor who is extremely dedicated and I am sure that he will make an excellent MP for this area.

Cllr Farooq Qureshi said: As a councillor and a former Mayor, I have served this area well and if and when I am elected as an MP, I shall do my utmost to serve this constituency to the best of my ability.

Chair person of Leyton and Wanstead, Cllr Laura Sheppard; Leader of Liberal Democrats and deputy leader of the council, Cllr John Macklin, Cllr Johar Khan and Cllr Keith Rayner also spoke at the rally. Cllr Bob Sullivan, Cllr Samina Safdar, Clyde Kitson and Neal Chubb along with rest of the campaign team worked hard and made this rally a success.

Leyton and Wanstead Liberal Democrats held a stall at the Noor ul Islam`s annual summer fair at the leyton youth centre. This fun packed day was attended by thousands of people from all over the Borough. Food, clothes and other goods were on sale. Children took part in races and enjoyed the fun fair rides.

Safer Neighbourhood Teams, Whipps Cross Hospital`s Big Push appeal and other voluntary organisations were also there to offer help and advice.

Liberal Democrats Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Leyton and Wanstead Cllr Farooq Qureshi, Cllr Bob Sullivan, Cllr Naheed Qureshi, Cllr Winnie Smith and Mahmood Faiz managed the Lib Dem stall. Hundreds of people signed our petition calling on the Government to hold the Iraq war inquiry in public and not behind closed doors.

New principle of Leyton Sixth Form College, Mr Kevin Morrison held a meeting with the residents of surrounding streets at the collage. Officers of Safer Neighbourhood team and Cllr Farooq Qureshi were also present at this well attended meeting. Mr Ian Bell, the building works project manager explained the latest stage of the work and informed the meeting that the collage has submitted a new retrospective planning  application to the council to increase the height of the proposed sports hall. At present the collage is waiting for the funding to be finalised by the Learning Skills Council and hope to start the building work by September 09. The meeting was also informed that after the completion of proposed building work, the grass pitch at the rear of the collage will be relaid by 2012.

Residents of Nottingham Road complained that due to heavy goods traffic generated by the building works, the road surface has deteriorated significantly and is urgent need of repairs. Residents also complained about litter dropping, blaring car music, speeding and spitting allegedly caused by the students of the collage. The Principle of the collage promised to look into the matter and rectify the problem ASAP. It was resolved that the collage will stay in contact with the residents through regular meetings.