Former Lord Mayor resigns from Conservatives after being deselected

Cllr Zafar Ali (Keighley Central) said he felt let down by the Keighley and Ilkley Conservative Association for "discaring" him after loyal service and selecting another candidate for the May local elections.

Cllr Ali claimed he had faced inappropriate tactics in his pursuit of selection as a candidate - but the local Tory group leader pointed out that the selection process was a competition and that Cllr Ali "didn’t like losing out." 

Cllr Ali said: “It is with regret that I find myself having to leave a party that I have dedicated my political life to for over 15 years."

Cllr Zafar Ali (Keighley Central) (Image: Newsquest)

Cllr Ali blamed a "small clique" for preventing him becoming available as a Conservative candidate for the Keighley Central ward.

Cllr Rebecca Poulsen (Worth Valley, Cons), Leader of the Conservative Party in Bradford, wished Cllr Ali, but hit back strongly at his claims about the selection process.

Cllr Zafar Ali, former Lord Mayor of Bradford (Image: Newsquest)

Cllr Poulsen said: “I’d like to thank Cllr Zafar Ali for his years serving as a Councillor for Keighley Central Ward and particularly for his year as Lord Mayor.

“Local conservative party members in Keighley Central, following the mandated selection process, selected Javaid Akhtar to be their candidate in May. Any selection process is a competition and naturally, I can understand that Zafar didn’t like losing out but, he did.”

A spokesperson for the Keighley and Ilkley Conservative Association added: “We would like to put on record our thanks to Cllr Ali for his years of service, especially in his role as Lord Mayor.

“When selecting candidates we endeavour to do so in a transparent and fair manner and while we acknowledge that few people are happy when they are unsuccessful, we are hugely disappointed that Cllr Ali has chosen to leave the party instead of supporting our new candidate.”

Cllr Ali has said he is now planning to run for re-election as an Independent candidate in May.

"I have lost confidence in the party, hence my course of action."

“I have made the decision after the many positive and encouraging emails, phone calls and letters to stand again at the forthcoming local elections as an Independent candidate for the Keighley Central ward on May 4, 2023.

“I have the drive and a positive determination to stand up for the people and the place I live in. I have always put the community of Keighley Central and the Bradford district first and I suspect this has brought me to the position I now find myself in.

"In regards to the local party, it has always been about being true to my principles and not petty political games. The public demands better from their elected members.

“Having served as the Lord Mayor of Bradford, I will be forever grateful to the Conservative group and the full Council for the support you gave me and my wife during my mayoral year, a time which was an honour and a privilege. This was a very happy period in my life and it is fondly remembered by me and my family.

“I wish to state that I do not blame the Conservative group; I do however feel very badly let down by the Keighley and Ilkley Conservative Association who have seen fit to discard me after loyal service.

“Given the current situation and my passion for Keighley Central, I know that I can serve my constituents far more effectively as an Independent councillor created a positive and renewed determination to work harder for them.

“I want to put this issue to bed and move forward.

“I hope that they will support me as the Independent candidate for Keighley Central on May 4, 2023.”

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