On May 5th, Cllr Shazna Muzammil was elected as the Conservative Group Leader by her colleagues. Now leading the Conservative group, which is the smallest opposition in the Council with only nine members, she embraces both honour and responsibility. The group is committed to representing every resident who voted for Conservative values on May 2nd, ensuring their voices are heard in the council.
Reflecting on her journey as a Conservative activist, councillor, Parliamentary candidate, and now Group Leader, Cllr Muzammil shared her thoughts:
"I'm filled with immense gratitude for the support and inspiration that helped me reach this point. It all began with a passion for serving my community and driving real change in people's lives," said Cllr Muzammil.
Her political journey was fueled by a deep-seated frustration with the status quo. "As an Appropriate Adult volunteering in custody, I witnessed firsthand the shortcomings of our system. Young people were slipping through the cracks, waiting endlessly for support that never seemed to arrive. It was a cycle of frustration and hopelessness, and I knew that if I wanted to make a real difference, I needed to be on the inside, fighting for change," she explained.
Cllr Muzammil is fortunate to lead a group of seasoned councillors, each bringing a wealth of diverse skills and experiences. "We will work tirelessly always to champion our residents' concerns and deliver what our residents want. Losing good councillors was disappointing, but we will support them in their ongoing dedication to serving their communities," she added.
It was a significant honour for Cllr Muzammil to be invited to No. 10 Downing Street and share her first words as Group Leader. "In Milton Keynes, we've demonstrated time and again what can be accomplished with the right strategy, focus, and, of course, a lot of hard work. Our recent local elections are a testament to this. We not only reclaimed two wards we had lost in 2023, but we also saw our vote share increase across the board. With our vote share hovering at around 32%, and Labour's at just 35%, we're practically within arm's reach of victory come the General Election. This is just the beginning of what we can achieve, and I am immensely proud of our team's efforts," she stated.
Her focus for the year ahead is clear – to use her position to support and nurture the growth of her group. However, she is aware of the unique challenges they'll face as the smallest opposition. "With the support of the CCA and the exceptional team in Milton Keynes, I'm confident that we can overcome these challenges and cultivate and train a formidable cohort of candidates in preparation for the all-outs in 2026," she affirmed.
The next year will be challenging, but the united group remains committed to prioritising the needs of their residents above all else. Cllr Muzammil's journey has been marked by empowerment, support, and growth, and she is determined to encourage and support future Conservative leaders who will continue to fight for their values and make a positive difference in their communities.
