20 April 2005
A two horse race
Apologies for not posting for two days but life is moving so fast that it's hard to keep up. Monday was a great day. Held our rally in Newham Town Hall, 350 people turned up, the speakers were just great, culminating in the electrifying George Galloway. I spent a very busy day beforehand, meeting people, going to our press conference, doing an interview with The World at One, and meeting a wonderful group of Afro Caribbeans who are voting Respect, having earlier taken a decision (as long term Labour voters) that they will never vote Labour again.
The next morning amazing news. The LibDem candidate, Ajmal Masroor, has withdrawn and a last minute substitute has been put in the day nominations close. The reason? He was connected with MPAC, a Muslim pressure group that claims its tactical voting advice is the key to advance of the Muslim community.
Unfortunately, MPAC was found to have put out a leaflet which was said to be anti semitic against the Labour candidate in Rochdale. Obviously the LibDems, having distanced themselves from MPAC in Rochdale, then found that Masroor was being supported by them in West Ham. The upshot was, he was gone by the evening.
I profoundly disagree with MPAC's strategy, which was certainly hostile to me. If you ask me, its advice of backing different parties in different areas has not exactly been a success and really doesn't involve much political principle. But the LibDems have also ditched a Muslim candidate as soon as any controversy arises. A bit like when they sacked Jenny Tonge for saying she could understand why people became suicide bombers.
Most people feel this will help me. We are gaining very wide support in both Newham constituencies, as well as in Tower Hamlets. More on that tomorrow. It really is a two horse race here.
The next morning amazing news. The LibDem candidate, Ajmal Masroor, has withdrawn and a last minute substitute has been put in the day nominations close. The reason? He was connected with MPAC, a Muslim pressure group that claims its tactical voting advice is the key to advance of the Muslim community.
Unfortunately, MPAC was found to have put out a leaflet which was said to be anti semitic against the Labour candidate in Rochdale. Obviously the LibDems, having distanced themselves from MPAC in Rochdale, then found that Masroor was being supported by them in West Ham. The upshot was, he was gone by the evening.
I profoundly disagree with MPAC's strategy, which was certainly hostile to me. If you ask me, its advice of backing different parties in different areas has not exactly been a success and really doesn't involve much political principle. But the LibDems have also ditched a Muslim candidate as soon as any controversy arises. A bit like when they sacked Jenny Tonge for saying she could understand why people became suicide bombers.
Most people feel this will help me. We are gaining very wide support in both Newham constituencies, as well as in Tower Hamlets. More on that tomorrow. It really is a two horse race here.
