Brought up by a single parent, on free school meals, in social housing, on minimum wage, zero-hour contract jobs, Ihtesham has a first hand experience understanding of the struggles that many people face.
A former youth worker, and community activist, he was first  elected as a councillor in 2018. With poverty and inequality exacerbated by this pandemic and the government’s mishandling of it, Ihtesham set up Preston Mutual Aid to ensure those in need in the area were continually getting the help and support they needed.
Serving as Chair of Brent CONNECTS – Wembley and member of the Community and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee, Ihtesham is also Chair of the Labour Group and co-chair of Brent Youth Parliament.