ELN: Five Labour councillors in Tower Hamlets have joined Mayor Lutfur Rahman’s team. At a press conference held in the Mayor’s office on Monday 4 July 2011, councillors Rofique Uddin Ahmed, Shahed Ali, Abul Asad and Shafiqul Haque pledged to give their whole hearted support to Mayor Rahman’s administration. As we went to press four had turned to five as Cllr. Kabir Ahmed (for Weavers), also pledged to work with the mayor.
Mayor Rahman said after Monday’s press conference, “Since my election as Mayor, I have consistently appealed to colleagues from the opposition parties to join and work with me. Unfortunately, the Labour group could not rise above petty politics. They passed a motion making it impossible for Labour councillors to work with me. Despite this, seven Labour councillors had the courage and conviction to back my progressive budget back in March. Today, four of those councillors are officially joining my team. They bring with them considerable experience and invaluable additional skills to my team.” The four councillors became increasingly frustrated by the Labour group’s lack of cooperation with the Mayor. They felt that they were not able to best serve the interests of the residents. Councillor Shahed Ali explained, “My primary duty is to serve the people of this borough. I have a clear mandate from people in my ward and wish to be able to carry out my role as Councillor on this basis. I know that the Mayor listens to people and I am keen to be involved in supporting his priorities for the people of our borough. I was misled by the Labour group leadership and that is why I could not support Mayor Rahman before. Now I know the truth, I regret my past decision.” Having an Independent Mayor is not unique. Other areas such as Hartlepool and Middlesbrough have independent Mayors and enjoy the goodwill and support of cross party members. Yet in Tower Hamlets this does not appear to be the case and many grassroots Labour party members see this as a counter to principles of democracy. Councillor Shafiqul Hoque said, “I signed Ed Miliband’s petition to put aside party politics and put the national interest first. Up and down the country, there are already examples of Labour councillors serving under independent mayors.
The Labour MP Kate Hoey even works for the Tory Mayor Boris Johnson. Let us rise above petty politics in Tower Hamlets for the sake of the community.” The councillors highlighted Mayor Rahman’s achievements in office and his vision for the borough as the key motivation for their decision. Councillor Rofique Uddin Ahmed said: “I am excited to be part of how Mayor Rahman has focused on improving homes through significant investments in the decent homes programme. He is delivering thousands of new affordable homes. He has driven up standards in schools and serious crime is falling in the borough due to his continuing investments.” Councillor Abdul Asad, the longest serving Bangladeshi councillor in Tower Hamlets previously served as a Cabinet Member. He was determined to use his considerable experience to strengthen the Mayor’s administration. He witnessed changes that have happened over the years and believes that the executive mayoral system will deliver real improvement for Tower Hamlets’ residents. He has worked with different leaders in the past but thinks that Mayor Rahman is the best. Concluding the press conference, Deputy Mayor, Cllr Ohid Ahmed said, “Mayor Rahman’s policies are the most progressive in Tower Hamlets. I have asked other councillors to come forward and work with the Mayor and his administration for the best interest of the community.” Cllr. Josh Peck, the Leader of the Labour Group at Tower Hamlets said he hoped his former colleagues would reconsider their decision.