2005 result

Clare Short (Ind)

Majority: 6,801 votes. — 279th largest out of 643 MPs.

Candidate profiles

Conservative – Nusrat Ghani
Born overseas and settled in Birmingham and went to the local comprehensive and went on to gain a Masters at Leed University. Worked in finance, campaigned on critical policy issues for the elderly (Age Concern) and tackled health services for Breakthrough Breast Cancer and represented the BBC in Kabul, Burma, Washington and Westminster. Muslim and married to David Wheeldon with one daughter.

Labour – Shabana Mahmood
Born in Small Heath the former barrister was selected in 2008 to try to take the constituency back for Labour after Clare Short resigned and continued to represent Ladywood as an independent. The daughter of a party official, she faced allegations of nepotism. But like her predecessor she does not agree with the party over the Iraq war.

Liberal Democrat – Ayoub Khan

A Birmingham Councillor since 2003 Ayoub Khan contested Birmingham Ladywood in 2005.

Green – Peter Beck
Peter Beck is 67. As council election candidate for Quinton, he has been prominent in many environmental and social justice campaigns. He was born in West Bromwich and is a retired library assistant and teacher. A former member of the Labour party he contested Birmingham Edgbaston 2005.

Ukip – Lynette Afshar
Worked for 10 years in sales and marketing at Granada TV, another 10 years in sales and management at the Timken Company and spent 13 years as personal assistant to Mike Naitirass MEP.
Contested Birmingham Ladywood 2005, Yorkshire & Humberside 2009 European elections.