A senior Liberal Democrat has put her hat into the ring for the Bradford West by-election.

Councillor Jeanette Sunderland, leader of the Lib Dem group on Bradford Council, has been chosen as her party’s candidate.

She said that Bradford West had been let down by Labour for years. “The whole city has been let down for a long time by Labour MPs.

“I want to replicate in Bradford West what is happening in Bradford East with a Liberal Democrat MP speaking up for people. George Galloway, the Respect MP, knows little about Bradford and has been parachuted in for his own ego.

“I will tackle issues such as health, poverty and education and getting young people into work.

“I want to get people into apprenticeships and we got more money for pensioners.

“I have a record of working hard in Bradford for the city and have done for 18 years.”

The councillor is on the children’s services overview and scrutiny committee and the social care overview and scrutiny committee.

Former Manchester Lord Mayor and Labour Councillor Mohammed Afzal Khan is hoping to picked as the Labour candidate. Other potential candidates include Labour Councillors Ralph Berry and Imran Hussain.

UK Independence Party member Sonja McNally and former MP George Galloway (Respect) have said they will stand.

The Conservatives have yet to announce their candidate.

The seat became up for grabs after Labour MP Marsha Singh announced his retirement due to ill health. The by-election will be held on March 29.