Muqdisho(INO)-A Somali-British woman chosen to run against George Galloway in U.K.’s general election in Bradford West has resigned as the Labour party candidate, citing “massive disruption” to family life.
Amina Ali, a councillor in the London borough of Tower Hamlets, was chosen from an all-woman shortlist of three Saturday in a move which annoyed some Labour party members who wanted to see a local candidate
But within 72 hours of her selection, Amina tweeted: “I would like to stop the rumor mill, I have stepped down,” according to the Guardian. The tweet has since been deleted.
Galloway, a flamboyant debater known for his vocal criticism of Israel, has been the Respect Party member of parliament for Bradford West since 2012.
Amina, who would have become the first British-Somali member of parliament if she could have defeated Galloway in the elections, said in a statement: “It is an honor and privilege to have been selected by members of Bradford West as the Labour candidate for the general election.”
According to the statement, Amina said she did not want to move to Bradford because that would disrupt her two children’s education. “I would not be able to do justice to the members of Bradford West CLP and the people of Bradford,” she said.
“Bradford West needs a candidate who is going to live in Bradford and be involved in the campaign for every moment of every day and I am unable to fulfil this commitment despite a strong wish to support the Labour Party to victory,” Amina added.
However, some Labour party supporters said she was caught up in the Pakistani clan politics, or biraderi, which have plagued the local party for years, according to the Guardian.
Before turning into politics, Amina worked as a researcher and journalist for the BBC.
Idale News Online, London,UK.
