Glasgow former Labour deputy on bowing out of leadership contest
Southside Central councillor Siddique said she bowed out of the contest due to additional barriers that come with being a Muslim woman in politics.
Reacting to the new appointments, Councillor Siddique said: 'Congratulations to the new leadership team. Thank you Labour and Glasgow for trusting me as deputy leader. I've felt the glass ceiling, but I'm still here fighting for real Labour values.
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'To BAME women, you belong in politics.'
She told the LDRS: 'I chose not to run for the group leader because being a BAME woman in politics often means navigating unnecessary additional barriers.
'As divisive voices grow louder, I believe more than ever that our politics, especially at the local level, needs strong vocal labour voices. That is exactly what I intend to be. I would like to thank the members of the Labour Group and party who have supported me.'
Dr Siddique, who has a PhD in cancer research, said she hopes her presence will encourage another 'hijab wearing female' to enter politics.
READ MORE: Glasgow English teacher boasted about the size of his manhood, court hears
Explaining more about her background, she said: 'I'm the daughter of migrant parents, raised in a tenement in Anderston and the first in my family to go to university. I never set out to be a career politician but I couldn't stay silent in the face of injustice. Breaking the glass ceiling as a woman of colour has meant facing racism, Islamophobia, and misogyny, not just in society but within the political party system itself. '
She added: 'When I ask why I carry on, it's because I hope another hijab wearing female from a not-so-privileged background will step forward and put her name on the ballot. We can't afford to let politics be dragged backwards by the forces of populist parties, people like me demand a voice in the politics of today.'
New deputy leader of the Labour group, Councillor Carson, said: 'I'd like to pay tribute to our outgoing depute leader, Soriya Siddique, who has performed the role with class and dignity over the past three years—particularly while confronting some of the worst prejudices still faced by our BAME communities.'
Greater Pollok councillor Hussain was replacing former leader George Redmond, who decided to step aside.
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