Bangladesh-origin Munsur elected London councillor

Munsur Ali, a film maker and activist of Bangladesh origin, has been elected a councillor from the Labour Party.

He won the position in his home town of the City of London in the election held on 23 March, said a press release on Sunday.

This is for the first time a British Bangladeshi Labour Party candidate, Munsur Ali, has been elected in such a position.

The City of London, one of the world's oldest continuously running local government bodies, is a separate entity to the greater London authority led by Labour Party mayor Sadiq Khan and one of its official roles is to promote London as a leading financial centre.

Munsur's decision to contest came after he was unhappy with the recent multimillion pound housing development plans that is affecting his community's future, said the press release.

Growing up in the city of London, now a successful film maker and the founder of the Limelight Film Awards, Munsur feels that despite living in one of the wealthiest wards in London there are hardly any real opportunities for local young people.

"I feel honoured that the community I represent, both residents and businesses, have backed me through their votes. But I was pleasantly surprised with the actual votes," said Munsur Ali who has lived at his home there since the age of two.

Expecting to shoot his next feature film later this year, the film maker starts his role as a councillor on Monday and Munsur adds "My films look at ways to engage us as a wider community and to make us socially aware of each others history and struggles. I hope I can carry a similar message in my new role as a councillor."