Today I was glad that my colleague, political hero and friend Dr James Shera MBE has backed me to be the next Labour parliamentary candidate for Rugby.
Dedicated to service – locally as a Labour Councillor
His record of service to our town, borough, the wider community, and indeed the world, is remarkable and inspiring. James retired last year after 40 years of unbroken service as a Labour Councillor for Benn Ward – becoming perhaps the longest serving Councillor for the same ward in Rugby Borough Council and perhaps England.
He was leader of the Labour Group for nine years, and in 1988 became the first Mayor from a Black and Minority Ethnic background to serve in the West Midlands.
An educationalist and fundraiser for major causes
It’s impossible to list all his achievements. He took a prominent role education, having been Chair of Board of governors for St Andrew’s School for 22 years, and his campaigning helped raise millions to support a new state of the art FE college.
He also raised £1.5 million towards building the Myton Hospice, a source of much needed support and comfort to the community.
He helped build the Pakistan Community Centre, and raised thousands towards the building of a mosque.
At the county level, he secured £3.5 million for a cancer ward at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire.
He was governor of Warwickshire College and concluded his career in education as Director of Intercultural Education at the County Council.
James’s national impact…
Nationally his distinguished and selfless service including being a member of the National Parole Board, the Solicitors Adjudication Panel for England and Wales, and on the Board of Barnardo’s.
James has won several awards for your outstanding work on interfaith dialogue and human rights and has honorary degrees from three universities.
He was awarded an MBE in 2007 for services to the NHS and communities, and became an Honorary Freeman of Rugby Borough in 2017.
…and he is held in high esteem around the world
Internationally, he was a keynote speaker at the 1996 UN Habitat II conference, and was awarded the Star of Pakistan for services to community and interfaith relations in 1992. He also promoted Rugby’s businesses during state visits to China and Pakistan in 1989.
I’m honoured to be supported by James
I am deeply honoured that someone who is held in such high esteem locally, regionally, nationally and internationally supports me to become Rugby’s next Labour candidate.
But above all the accolades, the most impressive thing about James is that he has worked hard, and effectively, at every level, to bridge differences between people, between cultures, and to work collectively to overcome challenges, protect the vulnerable and serve others in order to improve our community for all.
James Shera represents what I mean by ‘Together We Can’
This is exactly what I mean by ‘TOGETHER WE CAN’ and I will continue to learn from James during this campaign and hopefully beyond if I’m selected.
Thank you, James.
