A Muslim woman standing as a Conservative candidate in the forthcoming elections says she wants to inspire other women to get involved in local politics.

Fajila Patel, 38, who will be competing in the Bastwell and Daisyfield ward at the Blackburn with Darwen Council elections on May 5, also explained what she thought of Boris Johnson’s infamous "letter box" comments.

She said: “I wanted to help make a difference in my own community and help to bring about change.

“You can only do that by getting involved. It is not easy and people may not always agree with what you say or do but you can only try.”

Mum-of-four Fajila is the wife of the Altaf (Tiger) Patel, who became a household name in the lead up to last year's elections for his viral videos. 

MORE: Every candidate standing for election in Lancashire in 2022

Fajila said: “The main reason [I'm standing for election] is I want to break down barriers.

“I wanted to help inspire other women to come forward and be confident enough a stand as a councillor.

"We all know that local politics in our community continues to be male dominated.

“There are far too few women involved in local politics and this needs to change as I know women can make a huge contribution.

“It is important for women to have their voices heard.

“This was always my own decision.

“There is also a great misconception about females who wear the full veil in the UK. This is based on the media’s portrayal. I know many who are intelligent and completely independent.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

Tiger is pictured with wife Fajila ahead of the elections

The Conservative Party’s constant issues with Islamophobia within their ranks and Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s comments directed at women in Niqabs are well documented.

Mr Johnson later apologised in 2019 for a column he wrote in which he compared women who wear burqas to "letter boxes" and "bank robbers".

On those comments, Fajila added: “I do not agree with everything a Conservative Party politician says or does.

"In the same way that not every Labour campaigner agrees with everything a Labour politician says.

“Some comments are indefensible. I am not trying to make a statement I am just trying to show that as a woman I can make a difference.

“Meeting people on their doorstep and talking to other women in the ward has been great."

Cllr Tiger Patel said: “The local Conservative Party has been supportive and she wanted to help break down barriers. I am supporting her much as I can."

Fajila was spending the second weekend of Ramadan going door-to-door speaking to residents on the campaign trail.

“The response she has got knocking on doors has been really good.”

When asked about the campaigns her husband has run in the past, and in particular the music, she said, “You can be sure there will be no music of that nature in the background to any videos I am in!”

Also standing in the Bastwell and Daisyfield ward is Parwaiz Akhtar of the Labour Party. The 2022 Local Council Elections take place on Thursday May 5. 

You can find out more about all the candidates standing in the Blackburn with Darwen Elections by clicking here