Beaming: Rushanara Ali triumphed by a majority of more than 10,000
10 April 2012
Labour's Rushanara Ali made history today when she became the first Bangladeshi MP by taking Bethnal Green and Bow, the seat previously held by George Galloway.
The 35-year-old Oxford graduate won with 21,784 votes, an 11,574 majority over Liberal Democrat Ajmal Masroor, who got 10,210 votes. Respect's Abjol Miah got 8,532 votes.
To tumultuous applause Ms Ali, who has been subjected to attacks by Mr Galloway, said: "You, the voters, decided it was time to pay our final respect to Respect. This is a victory for people here who chose hope over fear, unity over division.
"To millions of Bangladeshis around the world, it will mean so much to them that somebody of their background has been elected to the mother of all
parliaments."
