A Hyndburn Green Party candidate says he is used to ‘upsetting the odds’ as he launched his campaign to become an MP.

Mohammed Shabir Fazal made history as he secured the Central ward seat at the local council elections on May 2, becoming the East Lancashire Green Party's first representative in the borough, defeating Labour, Conservative and Worker's Party candidates.

The retired headteacher and former assistant director of education, said he wanted to use his skills to help the Green Party to ‘grow and succeed’.

He said: “All my life I have succeeded against the odds. 

“The Green Party has an opportunity to do something special in Hyndburn and Haslingden. Having lived in Accrington for 48 years and started my teaching career as a Physics teacher at Haslingden High School, I have strong connections to both Hyndburn and Haslingden.”

He said the people of Hyndburn and Haslingden were ‘tired of being taken for granted by the two major parties’.

He said: “They are desperate for change. 

“The Green Party is the change we need. Its broad range of policies are designed to build a fairer, more just and greener future. Its principled stance on Palestine is a symbol of its desire to pursue justice for all those that are oppressed. 

“Its support for the NHS and taking energy and utility companies back into public ownership proof that it is on the side of ordinary people.

“The Green Party is not frightened to challenge the status quo.”

Mr Shabir has organised coaches to the national peace protests in London and spoken at a number of local events in Hyndburn, Blackburn, Preston and Rossendale in recent months.

He said becoming a councillor in Hyndburn at the first attempt showed how he is used to making things happen.

He added: “Throughout my teaching career I have been a tireless campaigner for better quality education for all children and especially for those from disadvantaged 
backgrounds. My schools were amongst the best performing in the country whilst also raising tens of thousands of pounds for charity. 

“We ran food banks, delivered Christmas and Eid gifts to sick children in hospitals and presented gift hampers to staff in hospitals, fire stations, and old people’s homes.”

The list of candidates running in Hyndburn on July 4 are: Matthew Britcliffe, Workers' Party; Sara Britcliffe, Conservatives; Richard Oakley, Reform UK; Sarah Smith, Labour; Beth Waller-Slack, Liberal Democrats.