North West MEP Named 'High Flyer 2005' Gives Credit to Pendle

12.00.00am GMT Mon 17th Jan 2005

Sajjad Karim MEP: The credit goes to Pendle Liberal Democrats where I received my grounding in politics.

The Times newspaper published its 'Who's Who 2005' of politics on 14th January. Sajjad Karim, who is the only elected British Muslim MEP and represents the North West of England as a Member of European Parliament was named one of the High Flyers of British politics.

Sajjad, who was born and raised in Lancashire, went to Mansfield High School in Brierfield and Nelson and Colne College before going on to study Law at university. He qualified as a solicitor in 1997 after completing his training in Burnley and Pendle.

Sajjad's political career started off at the age of 24, when he became an elected member of Pendle Borough Council as the Liberal Democrat councillor for Brierfield ward.

In a hard fought European election in 2004 Sajjad emerged victorious as a Liberal Democrat MEP for the North West of England.

Commenting on being recognised in this way by The Times Sajjad, who resides with his wife Zahida and his 2 children, Bilal and Rabia, in Simonstone, stated,

"It is wonderful to have my achievements recognised in this way and it is also good news for the whole of the North West. The credit goes to Pendle Liberal Democrats where I received my grounding in politics. Such recognition will help in my work especially for the people of the North West."

Speaking of his reasons for running in the European election Sajjad stated,

"I stood for election to provide a strong voice for the North West and give a voice to the ethnic minority communities of the region and to act as a bridge that would allow them to participate in the political arena."