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News No one likes an opportunist: Response to reports of SWP/Respect councillor defection
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No one likes an opportunist: Response to reports of SWP/Respect councillor defection |
News reached us from the local press this afternoon that Tower
Hamlets SWP/Respect councillor Ahmed Hussain was defecting to the
Tories.
 Ahmed Hussein with local Tories, 13 Feb 08
The newspaper said "Mr Neill welcomed the defection as "momentous"
and predicted that Tower Hamlets could soon become 'a Tory borough.'
"It's a real step forward for the party and the area," he is quoted
as saying.
According to the newspaper, Cllr Hussain said he had been interested
by Tory Leader David Cameron's approach.
The paper also quotes Cllr Hussain saying "I really believe Tower
Hamlets Conservatives will continue to make a difference in this
borough," underneath a report which shows a photograph, taken this
morning, or Cllr Hussain shaking hands with Bob Neill MP and other
Tories.
A press release was scheduled for 4pm today. The local Tories have
produced leaflets for local distribution, and a further press
conference was planned for next week with David Cameron.
All those plans are now on hold, as Ahmed Hussein is apparently still
mulling what to do! Either way, this blows apart the idea that the
wholly unnecessary and avoidable split in Respect had anything to do
with George Galloway, Abjol Miah and Salma Yaqoob being right wing.
It is the councillor promoted by the SWP, and who joined the SWP, who
is prepared to join the Tories.This is the councillor who, in
September 2007, said that George Galloway "is like a dog that's gone
mad", and said he should be "put down".
We will keep you informed of further developments. Please find below
a press release that we issued as the press was assembling for the
now-postponed 4pm press conference.
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No one likes an opportunist
Cllr Ahmed Hussain, who split from the Respect group of councillors
in Tower Hamlets three months ago, has completed the most rapid
chameleon-like transformation by today joining the Tories in Tower
Hamlets Town Hall.
Hussain was instrumental in the breakaway of four councillors from
the Respect group last November. Now, at a press conference scheduled
for 4pm today, his was to leave those councillors high and dry, not to
mention the voters of Mile End East who trusted him, by jumping ship
again.
Tory leader David Cameron is scheduled to come to Tower Hamlets next
week to welcome the new recruit. Hussain has already been
photographed at Tory HQ with leading party members.
"It shows just how opportunist the Tories are," says Respect group
leader Abjol Miah. "But Cllr Hussain will fit in on that score. He
claimed to be leading a left wing breakaway from Respect MP George
Galloway and the Respect group of councillors.
"He even paraded his membership of the Socialist Workers Party when
he thought it suited him. Now he s off with the Tories! The heads of
the voters of Mile End East must be spinning. The Tories have been
roundly defeated in that ward, but now, thanks to Hussain s
self-serving opportunism the residents are stuck with a Tory.
"It s pointless asking him to do the decent thing and resign. So the
voters will have to turf him out at the next election, which I m 100
percent confident they will.
"We will continue to fight the New Labour/Tory policies of
privatisation, scapegoating and war."
Respect MP George Galloway adds:
"As for the other councillors who walked away from the Respect group
with Hussain three months ago. They must ask themselves if they are
happy for the Tories to be the official opposition in Tower Hamlets.
"They must realise they have been the victim of a con by Hussain and
those who promoted splits inside Respect. If they don t want the
Tories to have a position of influence in Tower Hamlets then they
know what they need to do - abandon the split from Respect and stop
playing games with the electorate."
For further information contact Kevin Ovenden 020 7219 2874/ 07930
532 952 or Rob Hoveman 07749 411 191.
The East London Advertisor story is here:
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