Mushtaq Hussain is married with four children and has been a Labour Party member since 1983, serving as an elected councillor on Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council since 1990.

As a Labour Party member and as a councillor, he has actively participated in European, national and local elections.

He has also organised and participated in membership recruitment campaigns and fund-raising events.

Mr Hussain is employed as a customer services manager by Sandwell Metroplitan Borough Council (Financial Services).

Before this, he worked for Sandwell Citizens Advice Bureau, providing specialist support for the five bureaus across the borough.

As well as working with numerous voluntary organisations, he also serves on a governing body of a secondary and primary school.

Mr Hussain said: "Having come from a fairly disadvantaged community background, I have always been committed to the Labour Party's ideals and values.

"I believe the current New Labour's approach reflects more accurately the aspirations of society at large.

''It is through this that we can deliver a better quality of life for many and not the few.

"I believe I would be an effective Member of Parliament, contributing my considerable skills and experience at national level."