By Wajahat Ali Khan:
Local elections are going to be held in England on May 7, 2026, in which hundreds of people from other communities including those of Pakistani origin are participating, who belong to mainstream political parties including independent candidates. Voters across England had been expected to elect over 4,850 councillors. However, ministers have announced their intention to delay elections in 30 areas undergoing local government reorganisation, which would mean the number of councillors elected is reduced by over 600.
Masood Khushi Pasha and Mrs Shazia Majeed, a Pakistani-origin couple, have been nominated as their candidate by the “Green Party” UK from the Valence ward of Barking and Dagenham in East London. Talking to “The London Post”, Mr and Mrs Pasha said that we have started the campaign in our ward, and we hope that due to the growing popularity of the Green Party, the voters of the area will trust us and give us their valuable vote because the people of Britain also want change now.
Masood Khushi Pasha and his wife Shazia Majeed are known as a loving couple in the Pakistani and other local communities because they are present to entertain the community on every occasion of joy and sorrow. Before settling permanently in the UK, Masood Khushi Pasha lived in Czechoslovakia, now known as the Czech Republic.
He told “The London Post” that, I have dedicated my life to public service, community development, and social responsibility. I studied in Czechoslovakia and later served as Personal Secretary to the General Secretary of the “Portuguese Socialist Party”, where I gained deep insight into governance, leadership, and the importance of serving people with integrity. In 1996, after moving to Amsterdam, I became Chairman of the “Pasha Foundation”, working closely with communities to promote inclusion, dignity, and opportunity for all. My belief in accountability and local representation led me to stand in local council elections in 2003, 2007, and 2011, guided by the principle that leadership is about service but not for status.
He said, since settling in the United Kingdom, I have continued to live by these values by actively engaging in local democratic life and standing in the Redbridge local council elections in 2022. I firmly believe that where we live, we must integrate, contribute, and stand alongside our neighbours, because strong communities are built through commitment, compassion, and shared responsibility.
While Shazia Majeed have said, I support families and help deliver practical community initiatives. I moved to the UK in 2019 and work as a manager in retail, developing strong organisational, financial, and people skills through my professional and community work. I care deeply about being active in my local area, listening to residents, and contributing wherever I can, because in my opinion, community is not just where we live, it’s where we support one another and grow together.
Masood and Shazia also established the “Pasha Foundation” under whose banner, in addition to countless social, political and sports events and countless work was also done for human rights. According to Masood, the Pasha Foundation organised nearly 350 events about ten years ago when he settled permanently in London, he first participated in the local elections on the Tory Party’s ticket, but soon he realised that the way he wanted to work for the welfare of the people, mutual love, respect and community integration was different but it is in the manifesto of the “Green Party,” so this was the only reason why he and his wife joined the party. Now they both hopes that the people of their constituency will trust them and they will try to meet the expectations of the voters as well.
Moreover, Local elections were due to take place for 4,851 council seats across 134 of England’s 317 councils on Thursday 7 May 2026. In addition, ‘shadow elections’ will be held for two new unitary authorities due to be created in Surrey in 2027.
