Tributes pour in for legendary Jewish Labour councillor Judi Billing, who has died
The Jewish Labour Movement describe the popular Herts councillor of over 40 years as 'an amazing woman and a true friend to us' following her passing at the age of 71
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Tributes have poured in for the popular and long-serving Jewish Labour councillor Judi Billing MBE, after her family confirmed she had passed away, aged 71.
The Jewish Labour Movement, of whom she was a member, described Billing, who served as a councillor for over 40 years, as “an amazing woman and a true friend to us.”
The group sent “love and support to her family and friends” after her death was confirmed on social media on Thursday.
Labour NEC member Luke Akehurst added:”Very sad to hear that the wonderful Judi Billing, one of Labour’s local government heroes, and a member of the party’s national constitutional committee, has passed away.
She will be deeply missed.”
What an amazing woman and leader. We are so proud to have counted Judi as a @JewishLabour member.pic.twitter.com/NeD9SQCRzS https://t.co/mbVJWMgkGr
— Adam Langleben ???????? (@adamlangleben) November 24, 2022
Baroness Sharon Taylor of Stevenage, leader of Stevenage Borough Council, who served alongside her said: “I am heartbroken to learn that my great inspiration, mentor and friend Judi Billing, leader of our county Labour Group and a towering figure of Labour local government, has passed away.
“My thoughts and prayers are with her children, grandchildren and great grandchild all of whom she was rightly inordinately proud.”
Cross-party colleagues in Hertfordshire also paid tribute to their “friend, mentor and role model.”
Growing up in London’s multi-racial Paddington Billing once said the thing she understood was that if you opposed racism, you had to get involved with Labour.
Mama, grandmother, activist, Labour councillor for over 40 years, cockapoo servant and maker of the best roast potatoes in the world. We are heartbroken and sorry to say Judi Billing MBE passed away with her family around her in the early hours of this morning. pic.twitter.com/VmzQ4MWNUN
— judi billing (@judibilling) November 24, 2022
As a member of the North Herts council executive and leader of Herts County Council Labour Group, Billings had regularly spoken of her Jewish background, none more so than we condemning the rise of antisemitism in the party.
She represented Hitchin Bearton on North Herts Council for 42 years and Hitchin North at Hertfordshire County Council for nine.
A mother, grandmother and great-grandmother shewas awarded an MBE in 2015 for services to local government.
She regularly participated in Holocaust Memorial Day events in her local area, and further afield.
A spokesperson for North Herts Labour said: “”All of us throughout the Labour Party will greatly miss Judi for her humour, kind-heartedness, and drive to make Hertfordshire a better place for all.
“We send our deepest condolences to her family and other friends. RIP Judi.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
