Faiza Shaheen was born at Whipps Cross Hospital in 1982 and grew up in Chingford and Woodford Green. She attended Chingford CofE and Chingford Foundation schools and worked at Greggs on Chingford Mount.

Shaheen secured a place at the University of Oxford and subsequently earned a PhD. Her career includes roles at major policy and charitable organizations and running a small company.

Political Career and Campaigns:

In 2019, Shaheen ran as the Labour candidate for Chingford and Woodford Green, narrowly losing by 1,262 votes. She was reselected as the Labour candidate for the next general election and has been actively campaigning.

Shaheen's platform focuses on addressing economic inequality, improving public services, and advocating for environmental sustainability.

Critique of Conservative Policies:

Shaheen criticized the Conservative governments for underfunding essential public services over the past 13 years. She highlighted the economic challenges faced by working people and the need for better policies to support workers, families, and the environment.

Shaheen's campaign includes plans for expanding the NHS workforce, improving transportation infrastructure, and investing in renewable energy.

Community Engagement:

Shaheen has built strong relationships with local businesses and community groups, engaging with constituents on various issues. She has addressed concerns about the Gaza conflict and worked to maintain community solidarity.

Shaheen's commitment to her constituency is rooted in her personal connection to the area and her desire to improve the lives of her neighbors and friends.

Vision for Chingford and Woodford Green:

Shaheen envisions a future where public services are well-funded, economic inequality is addressed, and environmental sustainability is prioritized. She advocates for investment in education, healthcare, and green energy, and supports policies to reduce the cost of living and improve quality of life for her constituents.

Shaheen calls for a new generation of political leaders to bring about meaningful change and create a brighter future for all.

Notification of Removal:

On the evening of May 29, Faiza Shaheen received an email from the Labour Party informing her that she had been removed as the candidate for Chingford and Woodford Green, less than six weeks before the General Election. The previous day, Shaheen was summoned by email to a "change of circumstances" interview scheduled for 6 pm, which she attended with a crying baby on her lap, unprepared, and suffering from mastitis.

The interview was conducted by three members of Labour's national executive committee:

Michael Wheeler, Gurinder Singh Josan, and Wendy Nichols. Shaheen's friend, Dawn Butler MP, was allowed to join the virtual meeting but was instructed to remain silent.

Basis for Removal:

The questioning during the interview focused on Shaheen's past social media activity, including 'likes' on posts supporting Green Party candidates and criticizing Israel's actions in Gaza. The Labour Party deemed these actions damaging to its electoral chances.

Shaheen stated that she condemned the actions of Hamas on October 7, supports the release of Israeli hostages, and had organized a vigil with local religious leaders to facilitate community grieving and reflection.

Campaign Efforts and Community Engagement:

Shaheen emphasized her efforts over six years to elect Labour's first MP in the constituency, highlighting the importance of addressing voter concerns about Gaza. Despite the challenges of campaigning with a newborn baby, Shaheen built strong support for Labour, maintaining good relationships with local businesses and community groups.

She expressed heartbreak over the decision but noted it was not surprising given her experiences of racism, Islamophobia, and bullying within the party.

Personal Background and Commitment:

Faiza Shaheen was born at Whipps Cross Hospital and grew up in Chingford and Woodford Green. She attended local schools, worked at Greggs, and later earned a place at the University of Oxford, followed by a PhD.

Shaheen has held jobs at major policy and charitable organizations and ran a small company. In the 2019 election, she narrowly lost by 1,262 votes.

Shaheen reiterated her commitment to fighting for her community, neighbors, and friends in parliament.

Criticism of Tory Governments:

Shaheen criticized 13 years of Tory governments for underfunding public services, including the NHS, schools, and police. She highlighted the economic struggles of people despite hard work, and the necessity for better policies addressing inequality, high utility bills, childcare, and housing costs.

Shaheen pledged to fight for a properly funded state education sector, increased investment in mental health support, and improved transportation infrastructure.

Vision for the Future:

Shaheen underscored the importance of new political leaders to address the climate crisis and public service deficiencies. She advocated for Labour's plans, including the expansion of the NHS workforce, investment in green energy, and the restoration of neighborhood policing.

Shaheen concluded by calling for community unity and participation in her campaign for a brighter future.

Next Steps:

Shaheen mentioned ongoing discussions with her campaign and legal teams regarding her next steps. She expressed her intention to release detailed information about her experiences and reaffirmed her determination to continue her political journey.