Bangladeshis and the Bengali community in London and in the United Kingdom, more broadly, have reason to celebrate today. For today, for the first time the Member of Parliament from Bangla Town is sure to be a Bengali.
Each major party jockeying for power in the 2010 UK General Election has chosen a Bengali to contest the seat from the predominantly Bengali district, which includes many established and upcoming neighborhoods in London’s East End.
Rushanara Ali, campaigning as a Labour candidate from Bethnal Green and Bow is a first generation Briton born in Bangladesh. Her achievements as a grass-roots leader and policy wonk are testament to her commitment to the Tower Hamlets neighborhood in which she grew up. She is a commendable leader and a worthy public servant.
Bethnal Green and Bow was previously represented by the irascible George Galloway. In 2005 the Labour candidate was defeated by a very narrow margin. Now it seems it is Labour’s turn. Ms. Ali who commands a compelling biography and an impressive record which establishes her successes as a local leader stands a very good chance to triumph. Her wide and popular support in the area and the fact that each voter in Bethnal Green and Bow can afford to vote for his or her favorite candidate have combined to yield a high turnout. So much so, in fact, that the BBC reports that Bethnal Green and Bow will not report until 7:30 am GMT.
Whenever her constituency reports; whether or not she wins a seat in Westminster, I wish her my very best going forward.