Lancashire families with overseas relatives face major financial pressures, depression and separation from 'draconian' visa rules about minimum earnings introduced earlier this year by the last Conservative government, Pendle Council has heard.
Coun Ali said: "We represent a borough that is very diverse, from Nelson and Brierfield to Barnoldswick and Earby. I raised the previous government's policy on migration at a council meeting a couple of months ago and it remains an issue. He added: "In this debate, other councillors have spoken about other key issues. Some do not want Gaza to be seen as the legacy of our former MP, Andrew Stephenson. But I'm sorry to say there are a lot more things alongside the very important issue of Gaza which people will also remember him and the Conservative government for. This council motion is about democracy in action. We want democracy to work for people in our borough.