Raj Forhad is the Reform UK candidate for the Ilford South constituency. From an early age, Forhad aspired to work for the general populace and be their voice in his community.
Married to Shahana for over 12 years, they have two children, Zayan and Arash. As a highly skilled legal migrant, Forhad faced numerous challenges but remained dedicated to respecting the laws and contributing significantly to the UK through taxes.
He funded his MSc at the University of Central Lancashire and started his journey in the UK with limited financial resources, demonstrating resilience and commitment. Forhad has been recognized as an Exceptional Talent by Tech Nation, UK, for his contributions to the UK digital sector.
Competing against high-profile individuals, including many PhD holders, Forhad became a British citizen through the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent and High Skilled migrant routes. He currently works as an Enterprise Architect Consultant for Tier 1 banks in the UK and runs several small businesses.
Forhad's political journey began at the age of nine in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where he was active in the Bangladesh Nationalist Party-BNP. He also stood as a Conservative Party candidate in the Chadwell ward, Redbridge, during the May 2022 local elections.
Forhad is actively involved in various social and political campaigns, including Campaigns against ULEZ, Campaigning for Kids’ Lives Matter, Fundraising for social causes, Organizing tech meet-up group "Code Skill Buddy - Learn to Code Get a Tech Job," which has over 3500 members Reasons for Candidacy: Forhad believes that current political parties, including Conservatives, Labour, and LibDem, are not effectively serving the people or the country. He argues that these parties have run out of ideas and lack the determination to get the UK back on track.
According to Forhad, only Reform UK offers common-sense solutions to "Make Britain Great Again." Forhad's campaign focuses on addressing the numerous challenges faced by Ilford South residents, including high inflation, rising mortgage rates, crime, safety concerns, anti-social behavior, struggles with GP and hospital appointments, and the loss of green spaces.
Forhad is committed to scrapping the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), along with ditching Low Traffic Neighborhoods (LTNs) and 20mph zones, which he believes impose undue burdens on residents and businesses. By removing these restrictions, Forhad aims to improve traffic flow and reduce unnecessary fines for residents.
He pledges to tackle crime, focusing on knife violence, anti-social behavior, and women's safety. By increasing police presence and implementing effective crime prevention strategies, Forhad seeks to create a safer environment for all residents of Ilford South.
Affordable housing is another key priority for Forhad. He plans to invest in building more affordable homes, ensuring that residents have access to decent and reasonably priced housing.
This initiative aims to address the housing crisis and support the growing population in the constituency.
Supporting local businesses is crucial for Forhad. He intends to invest in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to stimulate economic growth and create job opportunities.
By providing financial support and resources, Forhad aims to foster a thriving local economy.
Forhad advocates for the use of modern technology to enhance public services. He plans to implement AI-driven solutions to improve the efficiency of public services, including policing, NHS GP appointments, and hospital services.
This approach aims to reduce wait times and increase accessibility for residents.
Supporting vulnerable residents is a central focus of Forhad's campaign. He aims to invest in programs and services that provide assistance to those in need, ensuring that the most vulnerable members of the community receive the support they require to live with dignity and security.
Creating more job opportunities with higher salaries for young people is a priority for Forhad. He plans to bring policies and strategies that encourage job creation and ensure fair compensation for the youth.
By doing so, Forhad aims to empower the next generation and support hardworking families.
Forhad envisions building a world-class university in Redbridge to enhance educational opportunities for residents. He also plans to establish more grammar schools for both boys and girls, providing high-quality education and helping students achieve academic excellence.
Improving the quality of existing schools is also on Forhad's agenda. He aims to upgrade schools from "Good" to "Outstanding," ensuring that every child receives the best possible education.
This initiative includes investing in teacher training and educational resources.
Forhad is committed to protecting green spaces in Ilford South. He plans to invest in preserving and enhancing these areas, providing residents with accessible and well-maintained parks and recreational spaces.
This effort aims to improve the quality of life and promote environmental sustainability.
To promote health and wellness, Forhad plans to provide free mobile gyms for young people and financially insolvent residents. This initiative aims to make fitness accessible to everyone, encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle.
Additionally, Forhad intends to offer free mobile learning hubs for residents, providing access to educational resources and support. This initiative aims to foster lifelong learning and help residents acquire new skills and knowledge.
Being a working-class individual who has worked on various community issues for many years, Forhad understands the challenges faced by the general public. He pledges to ensure that the voices of Ilford South residents are heard at Westminster and to work tirelessly to address their issues.
Forhad commits to responding to constituents' concerns promptly, providing answers and solutions within an hour via email or phone.
Reform UK presents itself as a political alternative to the traditional two-party system in Britain, criticizing both the Conservative and Labour parties for their perceived failures. The party positions itself as a champion of common sense, aiming to address the numerous crises it perceives in British society, from immigration and public spending to healthcare and energy policies.
Reform UK proposes a strict limit on non-essential immigration, arguing that it will alleviate pressure on housing, public services, and wages, and protect British culture and values. The party plans to implement a robust strategy to prevent illegal immigration, including detaining and deporting illegal migrants and ending health tourism and immediate access to benefits for new arrivals.
The economic strategy includes significant tax cuts aimed at boosting the income of the working class and incentivizing small businesses. Key measures include raising the income tax threshold, reducing corporation tax for small and medium-sized enterprises, and abolishing certain business taxes to encourage investment and economic growth.
Reform UK seeks to eliminate NHS waiting lists and proposes tax breaks for healthcare workers to address staff shortages. The party advocates for using private healthcare capacity to alleviate the burden on the NHS, suggesting a voucher system for patients facing long wait times.
A controversial aspect of their platform is the rejection of Net Zero carbon goals, which the party claims are economically damaging. Reform UK intends to revive the domestic oil and gas industries, reduce reliance on renewable energy subsidies, and explore new nuclear technology without the constraints of current environmental regulations.
The party pledges to increase police numbers, implement zero tolerance policies on crime, and expedite the deportation of foreign criminals. It also aims to reform the justice system by mandating life sentences for repeat violent offenders and enhancing the budget for criminal justice.
Reform UK calls for significant constitutional reforms, including leaving the European Convention on Human Rights, reforming the House of Lords, and introducing a proportional representation voting system. These changes are aimed at making Britain's political system more democratic and accountable.
Reform UK’s platform is built on a foundation of radical change across multiple sectors of government and society. The party seeks to dismantle what it views as failed policies and replace them with a framework that prioritizes British sovereignty, cultural identity, and economic independence.