‘A trailblazer in every way’: Labour group leader pays tribute to Aneesa Akbar after her resignation from city council

‘ONE OF MY DEAREST FRIENDS IN POLITICS’: Councillor Daren Hale pays tribute to departing colleague Aneesa Akbar. Picture by Neil Holmes Photography

By Simon Bristow

The leader of Hull City Council’s opposition Labour group has paid tribute to Aneesa Akbar following her resignation from the council this morning.

Aneesa, who had been the council’s only female BAME member and a cabinet member in the last Labour administration, announced she was stepping down after accepting a job in the charity sector outside Hull.

She said it would not be fair to constituents in the Central ward to try to do both. Aneesa also said in a letter to party colleagues in the city that pursuing her politics had sometimes come at “great personal cost”, and she had experienced bullying, misogyny and racism during her time as a councillor.

Her resignation triggers a by-election in the Central ward, which will be held on the same day as the Local Elections on May 4.

The Labour group said in a statement: “It is with regret today that we announce that Councillor Aneesa Akbar has tendered her resignation for Councillor for the Central Ward in the City with immediate effect.”

STEPPING DOWN: Aneesa Akbar, pictured after being re-elected to the Central ward at last year’s Local Elections

Group leader, Councillor Daren Hale, said: “Aneesa is one of my dearest friends in politics, so both the Labour and Trade Union movement locally, and myself personally, will miss her brilliant contribution and support.

“She was in every way a trailblazer as a Councillor in Hull. We know that she will continue to make a huge contribution in her future career, and will remain heavily involved in our Party and our movement nationally. We send our best wishes and thank her for her fantastic contribution.”

Aneesa represented the Central ward for five years and was re-elected in last year’s Local Elections. She served as portfolio holder for communities in the last Labour cabinet until the Liberal Democrats took control of the council last May.

Aneesa said in her letter: “I have made some incredible friends, met people who inspire me with their community activism and I’ve learned so much that I know that I will carry these lessons with me for the rest of my life. This city and its people have given me so much over the last 12 years, and I have been grateful for the opportunity to give something back.

“I have enjoyed working with the many officers of this council who put residents at the heart of everything that they do.”