Sobia Malik

Have your say.

Happy to everyone! The best place in the world, with the best people 😉

Spending the morning in an emergency full council meetinf debating the devolution deal.

What matters most if that people, partners, and colleagues feel they have had the chance to have their say, regardless of the outcome. Having a say is important.

Appalling disregard for the voice of Burnley people in extraordinary meeting of full council . Tories refuse to extend consultation period for local people to have the time to engage and

Very frustrating for all experiencing roadwork delays with town centre Town2Turf scheme. Latest update from LCC to specific queries raised by residents attached.

Please don’t become unwell, have a disability and need assistance - the Tories will show you no humanity. Grim reading.

Disabled people must work from home to do ‘their duty’, says UK minister People with mobility and mental health problems should work from home or lose benefits under new policy

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/13/

A painter, a poet, a novelist: the artists being killed in Gaza The territory’s vibrant arts community was testament to Palestinian resilience, but now it is losing voices central to its spirit

Remembrance Sunday

❤️

We Will Remember Them.

**RESIGNATION**

It is with great sadness that I have decided to resign as a Labour Lancashire County Councillor. The values of the Labour and trade union movement have guided and shaped my life. The Labour Party has been my family and my home. Which makes this resignation even more painful.

Bearing witness to the genocide in Gaza unfold coupled with the profound inability of Keir Starmer to demonstrate empathy or compassion, let alone challenge war crimes, has made my membership untenable. Whilst Rishi Sunak as the leader of this country has demonstrated zero empathy for the loss of nine thousand lives in Palestine, it does not come as a shock. But, it is a shock when the leader of the Labour Party fails to hear the calls for a ceasefire and instead such calls fall on deaf ears. This despite the fact that a child perishes in Gaza every fifteen minutes due to the actions of the Israeli government.

I will always love the Labour Party and its values but I cannot reconcile these values with the stance of the current leadership.

Labour members desperately needed to see moral leadership, hear the language of peace, unity and justice. This goes to the heart of our party and it requires soul searching to understand the strength of feeling from society that has been ignored. Those in elected office are privileged to represent the will of the people and more than 70% want a ceasefire. More importantly, I must be true to my values, true to my principles and true to my conscience.

I will serve as an independent Lancashire County Councillor for the remainder of my time in office and continue to work hard for the people of Burnley Central East.

Sobia Malik
Lancashire County Councillor
Burnley Central East

**Ceasefire Now - Jabiliya Refugee Camp**

The tragedy at Jabiliya refugee camp in Gaza could have been averted. There appears to be no accountability for Israel. The voice of our leaders needs to be clear: Israel has an obligation to protect civilians under the laws of war. As our Labour Party leader Keir Starmer you rightfully condemned war crimes committed against the people of Ukraine - you should do so for the people of Palestine. Your inconsistency has broken the trust of lifelong Labour Party supporters. We are all bearing witness to genocide.

I have asked you directly before and received no response. We need leadership that builds unity, and trust, under the banner of peace.

No excuse can justify the murder of these refugees. This is an unprecedented test of your leadership - please rebuild that trust. Demand a ceasefire now.

Sobia Malik
Lancashire County Councillor
Burnley Central East

Professor Said knew he was dying when this photo was taken, terminal cancer. A symbolic act for Palestine his homeland.

https://www.tiktok.com//video/7290964520921468203

TikTok · FED UP OKIE 221 likes, 2 comments. “ with ”

https://www.unison.org.uk/news/article/2023/10/

UNISON calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Israel | Article, News | News | UNISON National The union condemns the rising death toll of Palestinian civilians – especially children – caused by Israel’s bombardment

https://labourlist.org/2023/10/

‘Why Labour must back an immediate ceasefire’ – LabourList | Latest UK Labour Party news, analysis and comment Gaza, the United Nations has said, “is being strangled”. It is one of the most densely populated areas on Earth, home to 2.3 million people,…

Cofiwch Aberfan, Remember Aberfan 🖤🕊

**STARMER MUST DEMAND CEASEFIRE NOW AND UPHOLD LABOUR VALUES!**

I wanted to hear the language of peace from Keir Starmer our Labour Party leader. It has not been forthcoming. I fear the loss of lives in Israel and Gaza will continue to rise and most will be children. It's not a defensible political position.

As the first Muslim woman to both become a Burnley borough councillor and a Lancashire county councillor I have spent the last seven years honoured to represent the Labour Party. We must be a political party that shows moral leadership when it is needed most. The innocent are paying an unimaginable price as we sit safely in our homes.

We must be leaders in the politics of peace. Preservation of life must be the number one priority and that can only be achieved by an immediate ceasefire. The UN General Secretary has called for this.

I urge Keir Starmer to uphold Labour values and demand a ceasefire now.

Sobia Malik
Lancashire County Councillor
Burnley Central East

https://chng.it/mwYfWYxsXQ

Sign the Petition Ensure Provision of Basic Humanitarian Aid to Civilians in Palestine-Israel War

At full council on Thursday I discussed the LCC ‘Warm Spaces’ grant context being the cost of living crisis created by the Tories. Also, took the opportunity to remember our dear friend, Howard Eccles. Sorely missed. ❤️

Jummah Mubarak 🤲🏽