PJP Councillors join the Liberal Democrats

8.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Sun 12th Mar 2006

PJP Councillors being welcomed in to the Liberal Democrats

Both PJP (People's Justice Party) Councillors in Birmingham have joined the Liberal Democrats bring the total number of Liberal Democrats on the Council to 32. The two Councillors - Shaukat Ali Khan and Mohammed Saeed - represent the Bordesley Green ward and joined the Liberal Democrats due to the impressive record of the Liberal Democrats on both a local and national level combined with the Liberal Democrats stance on international affairs.

A welcome event was held today in Bordesley Green and was attended by over 500 people many of whom were previous PJP supporters that will now be supporting the Liberal Democrats. The Liberal Democrats are confident of making a number of gains in inner-city Birmingham this May against Labour.

PJP Group Leader Councillor Shaukat Ali Khan said talks about disbanding the party began when members worked closely with the Liberal Democrats to expose postal vote fraud in Aston and Bordesley Green. Councillor Ali Khan added "We have decided it is time to join mainstream politics. The Liberal Democrat Party provides the most obvious home for our membership. People are very excited about this because they can see that we will now be able to play a bigger role in helping to run Birmingham. Labour did a lot of damage when they were in control of Birmingham for 20 years and we believe it is the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition that will take this city forward."

Sir Menzies Campbell MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats sent a statement to the event:

"I am delighted to welcome you all to the Liberal Democrats. Councillor Shoukat Ali Khan and Councillor Mohammed Saeed will make excellent additions to our growing group on Birmingham City Council. A group that has shown it is prepared to take the tough decisions necessary to improve the City for its residents, ably led by Councillor Paul Tilsley and Councillor Tariq Khan. I understand both Councillors are very popular amongst their constituents and I applaud your bold and brave decision to join with us. I am certain that together we will be able to build a better future for Birmingham.

"The Liberal Democrats are determined to press for Kashmir to receive significant assistance from the International Community to build the infrastructure it so desperately needs. The tragic recent earthquake highlighted the lack of investment in health, transport and communications facilities in particular. The Liberal Democrats will continue to press for an exit strategy for the withdrawal of British Troops from Iraq at the earliest possible safe opportunity. Guantanamo Bay is not an anomaly as the Prime Minister suggests - it is an outrage which should be shut down. The systematic violation of human rights undermines the moral authority of the West and makes it impossible to win the long-term battle for hearts and minds. It is time for the Prime Minister to take action and to demand the closure of the camp. Detainees should either be charged or released.

"Finally I am determined to ensure that the Liberal Democrats at all levels reflect the communities they represent. That is why a fund will be set up to ensure that candidates from the ethnic minorities and women are given every possible assistance to ensure that they become successful candidates in Parliamentary elections. Thanks to all your efforts I am certain that Birmingham can once again become known for its strong Liberal representation, as it was a century ago. I want our diverse communities to contribute at all levels in our Party. Welcome once again and good luck to everyone taking part in the forthcoming local elections."