Lib Dems announce Stoke-on-Trent Central candidate

Dr Zulfiqar Ali will be the Liberal Democrat candidate for this month’s Stoke-on-Trent Central by-election.

Dr Ali is a consultant cardiologist who has lived in Stoke with his family since 2001. He was born in Kashmir, Pakistan, and has three children.

He served as a Cllr from Hanley West/Shelton ward in 2008 to 2011 and was Deputy Group Leader 2009 to 2011. He was the party’s candidate in Stoke-on-Trent Central in 2015.

His campaign will focus on why it is vital for Stoke’s prosperity that we remain in the European Single Market (he was a passionate Remain supporter in the referendum), as well as focusing on local NHS services, which need more funding and are weighed down by crippling PFI contracts signed by the previous Labour government.

Tim Farron, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: “Zulfiqar is an excellent local candidate who will give the people of the Potteries the representation they need. The Liberal Democrats will be fighting a really strong campaign in Stoke, and after our success in Richmond Park and winning over 20 council by-elections since May we are raring to go.”

Dr Ali said: “We desperately need a new voice to represent the area.

“This Conservative Brexit Government is pursuing a hard Brexit which will rip Britain out of the Single Market and hit our economy.

“I am also very concerned about NHS and care funding. From my work as a doctor, I know the government has to put more money into the system. Labour cannot be trusted either – it is their PFI contract which is costing the local NHS so much money.

“The Liberal Democrats will fight for that investment in services, and to keep Britain open, tolerant and united."

Concerns over FIFA candidate

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A rights group in Bahrain have written to a host of FIFA’s leading sponsors, asking them to consider their positions should Sheikh Salman Al Khalifa’s bid for presidency within world football’s governing body be successful.

The Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD) has accused Sheikh Salman of attempting to supress the popular uprising in his home country in 2011, alleging that he was involved in the detention and torture of footballers.

According to a letter sent to Coca-cola, McDonalds, Visa, Adidas, Budweiser, Gazprom, Hyundai and KIA, the FIFA president candidate was previously appointed head of a committee which sought to punish players and team which supported the uprising.

He also reportedly headed a Bahrain FA meeting which ‘politically punished’ six clubs, with relegations and fines, after they requested suspension of football activities during the uprising over safety concerns.

According to an official press release at the time, Sheikh Salman’s Bahrain FA: “Highlighted the importance of abiding by the decisions of the Investigative Committee, which concern whomever has recently offended our leaders and precious kingdom, and the importance of excluding whomever is proven to have participated in these offensive acts, including administrators, referees and committee members of the Bahrain FA.”

Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei, Director of Advocacy, BIRD, said the Sheikh had to be made accountable for his actions.

He said: “We hope FIFA’s sponsors consider our letter very seriously and respond immediately and appropriately.

“Sheikh Salman led the politicised punishment of clubs and denies the torture Bahraini players underwent. Coca-cola have called for an accountable FIFA. What happened in Bahrain was a black mark on its history, and Sheikh Salman must be held accountable for the part he played.”

Donald Trump’s Muslim ban is condemned by fellow Republica Member Paul Ryan

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US Presidential candidate Donald Trump’s proposed ban of immigrants and visitors into the US was condemned by House Speaker Paul Ryan at a lobby for the Republican National Committee on Tuesday.

He said: “What was proposed yesterday is not what this party stands for and more importantly, it’s not what this country stands for. Not only are there many Muslims serving in our armed forces, dying for this country, there are Muslims serving right here in the House working every day to uphold and defend the constitution.”

Paul Ryan went on to say: “Some of our best and biggest allies in this struggle and fight against radical Islamic terror are Muslims, the vast, vast, vast majority of whom are peaceful, who believe in pluralism and freedom, democracy and individual rights.”

Trump’s comments came in response to a mass shooting and attempted bombing by a husband and wife in San Bernardino, California on 2nd December.

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14 people were killed and more than 20 were injured when the couple targeted a training event and holiday party, opening fire on about 80 employees in a rented banquet room. The FBI believes the couple was radicalized by al Qaeda. American-born Syed Rizwan Farook was of Pakistani descent and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, entered the US on a fiancée visa.

A reporter at the lobby asked if Ryan would support Trump if he became the Republican nominee for president. He replied: “I’m going to support whoever the Republican nominee is...and I’m going to stand up for what I believe in as I do that.”

Celebrities have been vocal about their distaste for Trump’s racist proposals. Muhammad Ali, the Muslim former boxing world champion, said: “I believe that our political leaders should use their position to bring understanding about the religion of Islam.”

Recent polls suggest that Trump continues to connect with ‘ordinary’ American voters. Republicans broadly back his stance on banning Muslims entering the US until security can be improved.