The man fighting to empower communities in East Leeds

A leading East Leeds councillor has opened up about his remarkable journey from arriving in the UK unable to speak English to becoming a powerful voice for some of the city’s most deprived communities.

Councillor Asghar Khan, who represents Burmantofts and Richmond Hill, arrived in Leeds as an 11-year-old boy from Kashmir that was unable to speak English.

Over the years, he has built a political career shaped entirely by those early challenges, determined to help residents access services, build confidence and take advantage of opportunities across the city. 

He says his political career has always been about ensuring no one is shut out of the opportunities Leeds offers. “I want to make sure that the things I missed out on are not missed by these communities and by young people,” he says, adding: “We’ve got some fantastic communities in Leeds. They are deprived communities, and this is where people like myself can help empower those communities and make sure they get the opportunities they need to thrive.”. 

Part of his work, he explains, also involves helping residents better understand the role of local government. While councillors are often seen as figures who can influence national policy, their day-to-day responsibilities are actually rooted much closer to home. “A lot of people think we represent national issues, where, as a councillor, we only represent local issues,” he says. 

Councillors often work closely with MPs to ensure that concerns raised locally are heard at a national level, acting as an important link between communities and Westminster. However, their primary responsibility remains firmly rooted in their ward, focusing on local services, neighbourhood issues and the day-to-day concerns of residents. 

Before entering politics, Khan started his journey working as a postman, crediting the role and his trade union involvement with building his confidence. 

His turning point came through grassroots community work in Beeston, where he was mentored and encouraged to step into public life. Elected in 2011, he has since focused on improving everyday life for residents in East Leeds.

Fast forward to 2021 and he was elected as the Lord Mayor of Leeds, where he had over 850 engagements, raised more than 125,000 pounds for Leeds Hospitals Charity and awarded the Freedom of the City to the fourth battalion parachute regiment. He says it was a landmark moment, giving the regiment the right to march through Leeds and marking the first such honour in 50 years. Freedom of the City is an honorary civic award given by a council to a military unit, recognising its service and formal relationship with the city. It is symbolic but carries a traditional privilege. 

Looking ahead, his focus remains firmly on people, particularly younger generations. “We need to engage with young people, deliver on what they want and listen and see how we can empower those young people locally.” 

Despite the pressures of public office, he remains committed to being accessible and accountable. “You never switch off,” he says: “It’s 24/7, days a week as a councillor.”