Sheffield Council elections: independent wins seat from Labour

The Star, Sheffield

New Independent member of Sheffield City Council, Qais Al-Ahdal, speaks about his win in the Darnall ward and his future plans. Video: Julia Armstrong, Local Democracy Reporter Service

Transcript

00:00 for Sheffield? Yeah so I want to offer transparency to the constituents and to the people of Downer

00:04 Road and I think because I don't have a party whip to answer to I should be able to react

00:09 to people's needs. I think that's the main thing. When you say transparency what do you mean by that?

00:15 As in like they communicate their desires I'm literally just representing the people.

00:19 So I'm one of the locals and I'm representing them and I live in the area so we see our needs

00:25 they come to me with certain complaints and I'm able to address it straight away without thinking

00:29 you know higher up if I'm allowed to say this or I'm not allowed to say that.

00:33 What were voters saying to you on the doorstep when you were canvassing?

00:37 They were showing a lot of support I guess yeah they said it's about time and that's one thing

00:43 I received a lot of it's about time and they were thanking me for it.

00:50 And obviously the war in girls has been very important in your campaign hasn't it?

00:53 Yes it has yes it has yeah obviously I think that was one of the main things in the campaign as well

01:00 we want to be the voice for the voiceless we feel they're oppressed and I think my opinion

01:07 it reflects what the people are feeling and that's why I won the election.

01:11 What local issues will you campaign on?

01:13 To be fair there are many like cleanliness, youth activities but

01:18 I've left it open to the public to approach me the main thing is transparency

01:23 and I don't have to answer to a party so whatever they say we can have meetings we can have surgeries

01:28 but on a larger scale maybe utilize social media and hold large group meetings with the locals and

01:35 you know we want to move together that's the idea I'm just the face

01:39 I'm only representing them so whatever they want we'll try and achieve it.

01:43 Can I go because I've got Friday morning...

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