The Glasgow Conservatives and Unionists have selected city resident, the chair of the Scottish Iraqi Association and well-known party activist Faten Hameed as their candidate for the upcoming council by-election in Hillhead. Faten – who stood for the party in the council elections in 2022 – says she is “honoured and delighted” to have been selected and says she is looking forward to speaking to voters across the Hillhead ward about the issues that matter to them.
The by-election will be held on Thursday 7 March and has been called following the death of Labour Councillor Hanzala Malik. Faten says it would be a “privilege” if the voters in the Hillhead Ward entrusted her to follow in his footsteps after his “endless” good work for local people and communities.
Her campaign is being backed by Glasgow Conservative group leader Thomas Kerr who says his “close friend” would be a “fantastic” councillor for local people and stand up for their interests at every turn in the face of cuts from the SNP-led city council.
Glasgow Conservative and Unionist Hillhead by-election candidate Faten Hameed said: “I am honoured and delighted to have been selected by the Glasgow Conservatives for this by-election. I have made Glasgow my home since moving from Iraq over three decades ago and I love this city. However, I don’t believe right now it is reaching its full potential due to the failures of this SNP-led city council. I am really looking forward to getting out and about in the Hillhead ward and speaking with voters about the issues that matter to them. Of course, this by-election is occurring to the sad and untimely passing of Hanzala Malik. It would be a privilege to follow in Hanzala’s footsteps as a councillor for this ward, which he carried out endless work for. If you want a councillor who is passionate about making a difference to communities – like Hanzala was – then it would be greatly appreciated to receive your vote.”
Glasgow Conservative group leader Thomas Kerr added: “I have known Faten for a number of years and have seen first-hand what a difference she would make for local people as an elected councillor. I was so saddened to hear of the death of Hanzala Malik. Despite our political differences, we were able to work together as councillors and I always knew that he was someone who took decisions with his ward in mind, which I greatly admired. Hanzala will be sorely missed in the City Chambers and I am sure as I am talking to voters in Hillhead, his name will be spoken about fondly. I truly believe my close friend Faten would be a fantastic addition to the council and I look forward to campaigning for her.”
