As we all wait for Shelina Akhtar to decide whether she has the dignity to resign as a councillor before being automatically barred from office in 28 days’ time, let’s play that ever interesting Tower Hamlets game of Speculation Politics.
One prominent councillor tells me that the “likely runners” in the almost certain Spitalfields and Banglatown by-election are:
Gulam Robbani (Lutfur/Independent)
Tarik Ahmed Khan (Labour)
Abjol Miah (Respect)
Richard Macmillan (Lib Dems)
Matt Smith (Conservative)
If so–and I’d be surprised–it will be very interesting to see how Robbani and Abjol Miah, the former Respect group leader, play this one out.
Robbani and Abol are relative big guns and effectively Lutfur allies: they could end up splitting the anti-Labour vote and letting Labour in. In the last Spitalfields by-election in snowy December 2010, after Lutfur was required to give up his seat when he became Mayor, Respect’s Fozol Miah beat Labour on a 17 per cent turnout. In that contest, there was no Lutfur/Independent candidate.
Traditionally, the ward was controlled by Helal Abbas and Lutfur Rahman. The former still holds one of the three seats, along with Fozol and Akhtar.
The timing of the election will also be interesting. The more Ahktar strings out her decision on whether to appeal, the closer we get to the London Mayor elections in May. Common sense and the desire to save taxpayers money (the two rarely go together in Tower Hamlets) should dictate that the two elections are held on the same day, which would mean a higher turnout that favours Labour.
In that case, how would Spitalfields voter Lutfur Rahman cast his votes that day? One for Labour’s Ken Livingstone, of course–the latter rules the former–and another for an anti-Labour candidate? As ever, the Mayor will be in two minds…
As for Tarik Ahmed Khan, he is the secretary of Labour’s branch in the ward and the elder brother of Cllr Anwar Khan, who represents Bow West for Labour. He is thought to be a Josh Peck loyalist.
Trial by Jeory 
I am thinking of standing as a Bring Back Sanity candidate…but such an idea I guess would not secure many votes here…
It didn’t take them long to start gossiping did it. I know journalists don’t reveal their sources but if I were a Cllr id be kinda embarrassed to be emailing you this sort of stuff. I suppose this Cllr has access to the long list of potential candidates and knows that Tariq is on it and eligible to stand? Meh. Tariq would make a fantastic Cllr though.
An all-male line up, how progressive we are in Tower Hamlets! And if a female resident wants to bring up gender sensitive casework? Or doesn’t feel comfortable seeing a male Cllr? Then what?
I whole heartedly agree. Tarik would make a fantastic candidate. If it were not for the possibility – as yet unconfirmed – of Tarik standing I would probably back Dr. Donoghue’s white-coat mission to restore sanity!
PS – Regarding “sensitive genders” everyone knows it will only be a Labour or a Respect/Lutfur candidate who can realistically win this seat and I for one can understand Labour’s reticence in fielding any more ‘unknown’ female candidates in LBTH given the sad history of Cllrs Shelina, Rabina, Rania etc..
Yiou can add to that the sad history of Baronesses (£125K and rising) Uddin and King and soon, I suspect, Rushanara Ali once they get to her.
David Donague as the sanity candidate, the world has gone insane.
Yes, absolutely, it has.
Chris Smith is the likely candidate for the Green Party
What’s the sad history of Rabina, James?
Last I heard she was doing really well in her Cabinet post.
Have I missed something?
Well you’re obviously in an advanced stage of denial.
No, seriously, I’m interested.
I’ve only heard people have praise for Rabina Khan.
What’s wrong with her?
David that was a below the belt comment about Rushanara, let’s not judge our Female MPs in such a way.
Not intended as a remark against her – I have the highest respect for her abilities, but well know there are others out there who are determined to get rid of her by any means so that a certain (male) person can take his ‘rightful place’. Has happened here before and will happen again.
So that’s it, is it?
“We can’t have a woman candidate! We’ve had those before, and see what they’re like? Must be because they’re female. Let’s stick with men, they’re a safer bet!”
I’m frankly disgusted that (a) people on this thread and (b) the local Labour Party [allegedly] should have such an unsophisticated analysis of candidate selection.
I firmly believe the best PERSON should be chosen regardless of their gender. To choose someone just because of their gender is an insult to every intelligent person. Steve you can excuse yourself from this category if you feel the need. Tarik is an EXCELLENT candidate who is well known, well liked and has been a quietly loyal supporter of Labour for years and years. He has also done a lot of genuine community work over many years. By contrast, Shelina Akhtar was parachuted in from out of nowhere for no reason other than being female after having never been seen at any local party meeting ever before and look what happened to her… so let us not make that mistake again. Also – why do Respect and the Independents always field male candidates? You see Steve – it has to work both ways.
Oona King and Rushanara Ali were also parachuted in.
You are right. And both Oona and Rush were (or will be) parachuted out again.
Dear Sir
I wish to contact my local Spitalfields ward councillor.
Can you please let me know which jail she is in?
Sincerely,
Steve – over one-third of all Labour councillors elected in 2010 were female. Meaning that there are more women on Tower Hamlets council than ever before.
Hopefully in 2014 that will be 50%.
Shuma – Please explain how Rushanara Ali was parachuted in? She grew up and went to school and college in Tower Hamlets.
She went through a membership selection in which she beat three of the men who fought to be the Labour Mayoral candidate.
Unlike Oona’s parliamentary selection or the Mayoral selection, or virtually every local government selection in recent years (the few that the national party has allowed members to take part in) the selection process went unchallenged (by any of the other candidates or the party machinery) and only had to be run once!
@ Steve O’Driscoll
I’m not sure whether that comment is directed at me but I’ve worked for several MPs and Labour Groups before and they can often get mountains of gender specific pieces of casework. I’m dealing with a case now which was forwarded onto me be a female councillor. Many women don’t feel comfortable seeing male Cllrs or in many ethnic minority communities wouldn’t even be allowed to go and see a male councillor on their own.
I don’t think you should ever select somebody because they’re a women but I do think political parties especially the Labour party should seek to put together a balanced slate of candidates and gender is important.
A slightly flippant point. In so much as we have so many useless male cllrs in tower hamlets why can’t we throw a couple more useless female ones into the mix ? Is anybody really suggesting that our male Cllrs particularly in the labour party owe their places solely their own achievements? We need more women on the council lots more !
Milosh
Just to clarify – it certainly wasn’t directed at you. Yours is a salient point and one that those on the selection panel would be wise to bear in mind.
EE EYE
Abjol Miah’s had very little to do with the Mayor. Gulam Robbani is the Mayor’s best mate, his election agent and if I’m not mistaken was Vice-Chair of THLP to former cabinet minister Ruth Kelly’s Chair.
This will be an really interesting election, if it does happen, I gather there is a lot of horse trading going on between Abjol and Rabanii lutfur owes a lot to both,and he cant afford both to stand. Lutfur is more interested in what date the election will be held
There will be a fight for Labour candidacy, we will see the obvious lot, ex coucnillors Ala Uddin, Doros ullah and wais . Abdul Aleem who failed in 2010 wants another crack for some reason. Currently it seems like Amir hussain who chaired the branch for 7 years and has good influence in the community. Tarik Khan who is the current Vice chair/treasurer of THLP, is being lobbied by a lot of councillors, he does a lot of work with the young people.
will be interesting this one
Word in the curry house is that you have to be on the Labour candidate’s list to stand for the party and Tarik is not on it. Yet again the party is likely to cock the whole thing up – having done nothing to sort itself after the last great debacle. Shame.
Spitalfields Bi Election.
when is the date, the list of candidates you have Ted will stir up an really good election I think.
Lets have Abjol, Respect / IFE, with Rabanni- Lutfur/independent, against a Local Labour candidate Liek Tarik, who will make a realy good Candidate for Labour, I cant see anyone else really at Labour In Tower Hamlets to run Spitalfields unless Michael Keith decides to do a come back.
Someone wrote Abjol Miah has very little to do with the Mayor, In the public eye maybe, but im sure Lutfur will not want both to stand, and abjol is very keen has already started campaigning in spitalfields.
Well, it was Abbas who wielded the knife with Oona and word has it he’s planning to trigger-ballot Rush for deselection
Preem, Sheba, Aluddin, Briock Lane Curry, Curry House Bazaar, Standard, Monsoon, Chilies, Clifton, Mela, Naz etc etc etc etc!
David- what curry houses do you visit, seems like they know what the labour party pretty well.
Proplr in my curry house tell me that Tarik is being lined up to be put on the list by the party mechanics. Maybe you should come to my place.
^^^ I can’t believe that you guys are ‘adults’ i really can’t . It’s like you live in wonderland or something.
A bit off topic, Ted have you ever considered running as an independent? I think it would be good to have genuinely independent minds on the council. I’m a bit confused because as far as i can tell the Mayor hasn’t formed an independent group and yet they sort of behave as if they are one? Very confusing in terms of accountability.
Yes, I have. You should as well.
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