Councillor Mohammad Naeem was a rock at the centre of Halifax Labour Party. The number of tributes appearing on social media testify to the esteem in which he was held.

Generations of Labour campaigners relied on his commitment to building a better world. He was loved and respected for his generosity with his time and knowledge and his willingness to be of service to others and the community. Even in poor health he turned out for campaigning sessions, door knocking for Labour.

For decades Naeem’s support was valued by all, from the newest recruits to Councillors and Halifax MPs Alice Mahon, Linda Riordan and most recently Holly Lynch. Whichever way the political wind blew Naeem was a principled and loyal Labour party member and always there to offer sound advice.

He was hard working, committed and generous but he had a solid core and hating injustice he would not be slow to speak his mind when he felt something needed challenging.

Those with long memories recall that for many years his family home in Skircoat was the nerve centre of operations at local election time. It was where members gathered to plan strategy and talk over issues, knowing there would always be endless supplies of tea and chocolate biscuits and if they were lucky, samosas and pakoras, to keep them going .

Naeem’s home was also where the famous risograph lived …..a massive printing press which, in the days before social media and digital technology, got our message across to the people of Halifax and Calder Valley via leaflets and the ‘Labour Rose’ newsletter.

Naeem’s long experience and knowledge of procedure made him a real asset to the committees on which he sat. He chaired the Local Government Committee, responsible for managing our local election campaigns, until he himself was elected Councillor for Park Ward in 2018, delighted to represent a community he was devoted to.

Naeem’s kindness, common sense and unique sense of humour will be missed by all of us.

His passing leaves a big hole in our movement but his memory sets an example of the best that we can be.

Rest in peace Mohammad Naeem