SHAHID Malik, Dewsbury's new MP, steps into experienced shoes - former MP Ann Taylor served in the Cabinet, was the party's first female Chief Whip and chaired the Intelligence and Security Committee.
But 37-year-old Mr Malik has been a Labour Party member for over 20 years and has already been busy, gaining election to Labour’s National Executive Committee in 2000 and becoming a member of Gordon Brown’s Economic Policy Commission.
Before this, Mr Malik, originally from Burnley and now living in Dewsbury Moor, was chief executive of a regeneration company.
His family roots are in Pakistan and both his parents were teachers and have been Mayor and Mayoress of Burnley.
He now gives advice to the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Community Cohesion Unit in the Home Office.
Until recently he was also the head of the national Safer Communities Initiative.
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He was appointed as the only British Commissioner to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland by the then Secretary for Northern Ireland, Mo Mowlam.
His election pledges included bringing investment and jobs to the town, tackling pensioner poverty, providing parental support for local sick and disabled children and doing more to create a proud, confident and dynamic Dewsbury.
He also said he would focus on education, long-term unemployment, community cohesion and healthcare.
Courtesy: http://www.dewsburytoday.co.uk