MP Preet Gill steps down as Sandwell councillor
Britain's first woman Sikh MP has stood down from her position on Sandwell Council to concentrate on her parliamentary commitments.
Preet Gill, who has been a councillor in St Paul's since May 2012, says her role in Westminster means she no longer has time to devote to her duties in the ward.
And Ms Gill has launched a broadside at Labour ward branches in Sandwell for failing to select any female Sikh candidates for the 27 seats up for grabs in May's local council elections.
She said she was 'disappointed' in the selection process and called on members to consider selecting candidates 'that best represent' them in future elections.
"I want to thank the people in the ward for their support," Ms Gill told the Express & Star.
"It was the right time for me to stand down. I want residents to have the very best possible representation and someone who can commit to advancing the work we have done in the ward.
"However, I must say that I am disappointed that there has not been a Sikh female candidate selected this year.
"In future I would like to see wards and members think about selecting candidates that best represent them and that are also reflective of demographics.
"We need to see the advancement of people from different backgrounds."
Ms Gill was elected as the Labour MP for Edgbaston – where she grew up – in last year's snap general election.
In doing so she increased Labour's majority in the seat from 2,706 to 6,917.
In January she was promoted to Jeremy Corbyn's frontbench as shadow minister for international development, pledging to 'challenge global poverty and injustice'.
