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Bromsgrove Tories select new candidate who could make history (From Bromsgrove Advertiser)
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Bromsgrove Tories select new candidate who could make history
11:42am Tuesday 9th February 2010
BUSINESSMAN and entrepreneur Sajid Javid has won the race to become the Conservative Party candidate for Bromsgrove at this year’s general election.
His selection means, if he goes onto the win the seat, he would become the party’s first ever Muslim MP.
Mr Javid beat five other hopefuls in a ballot of Tory members, held last Saturday, February 6.
After being chosen, Mr Javid said: “It is a great privilege to have been chosen to champion Bromsgrove and its residents at the upcoming general election.
“I want to be the strongest possible voice for Bromsgrove in Westminster, working tirelessly for everyone in the constituency.”
Mr Javid told the Advertiser/Messenger his immediate priority was to speak to Bromsgrove people, and listen and learn from them.
“I want to speak to people from the different communities of Bromsgrove. I am a fresh face with a fresh message. The campaign has already begun.”
Asked about the potential to make history in becoming the first Tory Muslim MP, Mr Javid said it was not something he come into politics for, his priority being to represent the people of Bromsgrove.
English born, Mr Javid went to a state school and studied economics and politics at Exeter University.
At the age of 24, he went onto become the youngest vice president in the history of one of the world’s largest companies, the Chase Manhattan Bank, before being headhunted and spending nine years as managing director of the Deutsche Bank.
Mr Javid has raised money for a Nepalese orphanage, the British Red Cross and Help the Aged. He is married to Laura, and the couple have four children.
One of his brothers is a West Midlands Constabulary senior police officer, while another has served in the Royal Navy and fought in the first Gulf War.
Mr Javid replaces MP Julie Kirkbride who announced at Christmas she wouldn’t be standing as a candidate.
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Your Say Your Bromsgrove
Harry-ca-Nab, Lickey Hills says...
9:56am Wed 10 Feb 10
"8.15pm: Sajid won 70% of the vote in a final round against Charles Barwell. I hear that Charles had a strong local following but that Tina Stowell was particularly impressive on the day."
If this is correct the London faction seems to have won the day - the locally supported guy got thrown out.
It would be interesting to hear from the Association what is going on.
I'd like to know why the Tories think a Metropolitan, Muslim banker who's principle interests are within London's ethnic communities and overseas can ever be the best choice for an overwhelmingly native British community in a Shire town with a large rural hinterland.
As their Bromsgrove Association website has no mention of the new candidate and hasn't even been updated since 18th December 2009 I guess we shouldn't hold our breath.
Perhaps they will when they come out of hibernation - or to their senses.
New candidate: Sajid Javid, who has been selected to be the Conservative Party candidate for Bromsgrove at this year’s general election.
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Harry-ca-Nab, Lickey Hills says...
9:17am Wed 10 Feb 10
It is apparent that Conservative Central office have imposed a candidate to tick the Islamic/ethnic box. It has already been reported that the candidate with the most local support came in second - how could that happen unless the locals were overuled?
Comments on the Conservative Home website by friends and supporters of Mr Javid is full of talk about "fresh faces" and Islam.
One comment "...What an inspiring choice. Sajid will do wonders for the Conservative Party and its relationship with British Islam."
Bromsgrove and its inhabitants barely rate a mention.
By not offering the people of Bromsgrove a candidate from their own heritage they risk losing this seat.
The main Parties respect immigrant communities by trying to place candidates that reflect those communities. Javid knows nothing of us and his CV shows that he has precious little contact with, or understanding of, our heritage and culture.
The native community, and Bromsgrove is overwhelmingly native British, do not warrant the same respect.
We are just voting fodder - taken for granted as they consider Bromsgrove to be a "safe seat".
Albeit I have voted Conservative all my life I will not be voting Conservative this time around.
A straw poll amongst my family and friends indicates the same strong feelings of betrayal by a Party that we have supported for decades.