Forum Topic

Suspended

Have heard that one of Labour's candidates, Khulique Malik has been suspended from the party for six months, does this mean that his candidacy is now invalid and there will have to be a by-election?

Vanessa Smith ● 2665d11 Comments

The 'other' Malik - Nisar, has made Rotten Boroughs in this week's 'Private Eye'.

Vanessa Smith ● 2663d

If Ruth Cadbury initiated this action, then she deserves credit for calling out this unacceptable behaviour. No political party in this country should tolerate these kind of views.I would also also acknowledge Sadiq Khan’s focus today on tackling Air Pollution https://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/west-london-news/sadiq-khan-urges-hillingdon-residents-14605621I just wish he would pay as much attention to the dire Air quality situation in Labour controlled Hounslow as he does to the apparent failings of Tory controlled Hillingdon.Unfortunately, if the 3rd runway goes ahead as planned, Hounslow may see its already high number of pollution hotspots increase to the level experienced in the Borough of Hillingdon.

Joseph Gerald Bourke ● 2664d

Some strong independents standing in Feltham North ...

Sarah Felstead ● 2664d

Fills you with such confidence - not!

Vanessa Smith ● 2664d

... and in May 2016 the Jewish Times reported that:"The new mayor of Hounslow who was elected on a promise to “diffuse (sic) community tensions” has apologised for a past comment on YouTube in which he appeared to equate the actions of Israel with those of Adolf Hitler". Malik stated that “I unreservedly apologise for any offence I may have caused. The opinion that I sought to convey was that people should stand up to any and all injustices; but I recognise that I may have upset people with my choice of words.”

Jim Storrar ● 2664d

I have no idea if this Malik has been suspended but Nisar Malik, the former mayor of Hounslow and a candidate in tomorrow's elections,was being investigated by the Labour Party after posting comments on Facebook and Twitter which criticised the Israeli government's policies in Palestine and which have been branded as anti-semitic. The current edition of Private Eye, that venerable organ, reports that Malik had used Twitter "to air a coktail of conspiracy theories including assertions that the 'alleged' Syrian chemical attack either didn't happen or was carried out by the US and/or Israel in order to blame nice president Assad; that Isis is the creation of the US and Israel". He goes on at some length and refers confusingly to 'Zaniest' where he appears to mean 'Zionist'.After being made aware of the posts Ruth Cadbury replied to a question about it on Twitter, saying: "Cllr Malik's anti-semitic posts are completely unacceptable. He's removed them and has been reported through the Labour Party disciplinary process which anyway has been moving far too slowly." She added she had spoken to Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to try to get such disciplinary action speeded up,

Jim Storrar ● 2664d

"will receive no support from the Labour Group" Oh - like Linda Green you mean - no change there then.

Vanessa Smith ● 2664d

This is not the first time this has happened to a Labour candidate in Hounslow. If your nomination has been accepted then you are on the ballot paper.If a candidate is elected but still suspended by the Party then he/she sits as an independent and will in theory receive no support from the Labour Group.

Cllr Sam Hearn ● 2664d

Well, rumour has it that that could be the case, if true, seeing your rival off like this is pretty convenient.

Vanessa Smith ● 2664d

No, as far as I understand it his candidacy is not conditional on him continuing to represent his party so if he is successful on Thursday he will be a validly elected councillor, but will sit as an independent until or unless he is reinstated.The timing though is impeccable isn't it?  What message is his party sending to the voters of his ward?  Would he have been a potential rival to Curran for his job by any chance?

Phil Andrews ● 2665d

Does this refer to a new situation or are you re-cycling this story?https://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/local-news/labour-councillor-hounslow-suspended-party-8252906

Christopher Gillie ● 2665d

I am not sure that is the case. The nomination papers have been, I assume, correctly signed, and I am not aware of a mechanism, at this stage, to dis-bar him from standing. If elected, one would assume he would be under pressure to resign, thereby either allowing Labour to coopt or run a by-elections (probably the first, it is cheaper and means the public get no say in the matter).

Christopher Gillie ● 2665d