Meet some of our friendly Committee Members

Arshad Ali - Chair "My name is Arshad Ali. Most of my friends call me Ash. Born in 1964 in Kashmir, my parents carried me to the UK in 1965. I grew up in Bradford within the Manningham area.  I studied the sciences at O level and then went on to study sciences at advanced level eg Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Psychology, Sociology. Consequently I became very interested in the field of Human Behaviour and went on to study Psychology at University in London from where I graduated with Honours. I studied Organisational Psychology at MSc level but in the end decided I wanted to work with real people with real issues. Going on to work with people suffering from mental health related problems. Having worked with people and paying close attention to the needs of the individual, I have developed the skill of active listening so that I can represent the needs of the client in the best interest of the client Having spent time in London in a very multicultural community I have extensive experience of working with a variety of different cultures, having a sensitive approach towards differences within people from various different cultures with different languages. I am fluent in English, Urdu, Punjabi and Mirpuri. I am an active member of Stop The War Coalition and the Respect Party. I regularly march and demonstrate nationally to support the causes for which they stand. I have served as a school governor for several years including Chair of governors at various different schools, as I believe that a good education is the best assurance of a well-balanced society. Previously a member of the Labour Party I resigned, as I could not stand the arrogance and the hypocrisy of the Labour party. I wanted to give voice to all those people in my community who feel cheated and betrayed by our Government. I looked around and found that there was only one party that shared my feelings and beliefs. I saw the Respect Party as the only party that was the voice of conscience and stood for my beliefs". - Arshad Ali

Chris Gregory - Sectretary "Brought up in a Yorkshire mining village, I studied at University, first Anthropology and later Mathematics. I qualified as a teacher and taught mainly Mathematics in Primary and Secondary schools in various parts of the country. I then worked at Bradford College, training teachers of Mathematics. I also participated in EU development projects in the Netherlands and Poland, and undertook consultancy work in a Pakistani school system. I am now a freelance consultant in Educational Technology. I was a member of the Labour Party but left when it largely stopped promoting the rights and welfare of ordinary people. I remain a democratic socialist, committed to a cause which is inclusive and internationalist. I have come to believe that the future of progressive politics lies not in the traditional parties but in a broad coalition of individuals and organisations focussed on a clear set of values and aims. I believe that Respect can be such a force. The people of Bradford need the collective voice that Respect , with popular support, can provide". - Chris Gregory

Nadia McGranthin - Treasurer "I have lived in Yorkshire for almost 31 years, over seven of them in Bradford.  Having had the privilege of working in the Bradford community as a teacher, an experience I thoroughly enjoyed and value highly.  I welcome the opportunity to represent the residents of the University Ward on the City Council and will pledge to them my full support should they ever need my assistance in dealing with Council matters whether it be concerns about their living environment or in dealing with Council bureaucracy.  I firmly believe in the values and priorities of the Respect Party – it is a Party that puts people and their needs first and renounces all inequalities in every area.  It is a Party that has values and principles which I believe will be of immense benefit to the people of Bradford especially in areas such as housing and jobs in the local community – values and principles which I firmly believe will be shared by yourselves – please read our Policies – I am sure you will find them interesting and appreciate them as I do". - Nadia McGranthin       Abu-Bakr Rauf - Press Officer "Born n Bred in Bradford, I am a Yorkshire-man through and through, I have lived in various parts of Bradford and know the city quite well and have a true passion for Bradford and its villages. Previously I have worked in IT as a network technician, In Banking - Internet Helpdesk and for the past 5 years I have been self employed in the Car industry gaining valuable knowledge & experience of the industry & my work over the years.   I am a very sociable person and love working to better my local community & humanity as a whole, over several years I have helped friends & family through school appeals, council/work representations which I have enjoyed greatly and wish to take the next step in making a difference in my local community and the world community. I have also been influenced by the low calibre of some local councillors in working for the local community and the inefficiency of national government in truly catering for the needs of our country. Recent events have shown the clear & true nature of a large number of our politicians which now leaves the electorate in indecision and disillusioned enough not to vote or to vote extreme right, this is a dangerous situation for our country and affects us ALL, therefore I believe everyone of us must do our bit and work hard to change our society into the true free & democratic country we all hope for it to be.  The time is NOW the best political party is The Respect Party, read through our policies to see what we stand for and join us now"! - Abu-Bakr Rauf