Plaistow North By-election: Campaign Begins

The battle lines for Newham Independents have been drawn.

In a two-pronged assault, Mirza’s Independents assert that Labour is failing the people of the borough locally and that Labour nationally is supporting Israel over Palestine.

The first claim has more than a little merit and may well appeal to floating or undecided voters; even to Labour voters who want to give the ruling group a bit of a jolt.

The second issue has national ramifications. It is more of a dog-whistle and one that several local Labour politicians have previously used themselves. But the events in Gaza will have repercussions in Plaistow.

This may presage a wider problem for Labour. Nationally, the ‘Indian vote’, along with other aspirational communities is far less loyal to Labour than was once the case. Increasingly they see their futures in terms of working hard and getting on; providing a better future for their children and doing this largely as a result of their own efforts. They are not inspired by the increasingly bizarre ‘rabbit holes’ that Labour’s current ideologues inhabit, nor are they convinced by tired welfarism.

The Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities have remained more connected to Labour, but there are times when this appears to be a transactional relationship; when communal support is given in return for favoured status or financial support, (or planning permission?). When there is a rift, ethno-religious identity trumps party affiliation. To suggest such a thing is to invite accusations of Islamophobia using the definition preferred by the Labour Party, but how else do you interpret the events in Tower Hamlets? Or, closer to home, Green St West in 2006?

Our question to Newham Labour is this. Given that this is the second time in two decades when communal support is withdrawn (we assume that Labour will take a hit in Plaistow North), what is the basis of the relationship between Labour and the south-Asian Muslim community? Is it principle or is it entirely transactional? If it is principle, what are those binding principles?

But back to the events in Plaistow North. Before the by-election had been called, Newham Independents released their first leaflet, (see below).

The required number of residents have written to the Chief Exec to request a byelection. She has set the date for 23rd November. We are told that the speed with which letters requesting the byelection were received somewhat shocked the fourth floor of Dockside. It suggests for the first time in many years that Labour is facing an opposition that actually knows what it is doing.

It looks like Labour will have a fight on its hands. It will be interesting to see how they fight it; defending Fiaz’s record does not sound like a vote winner, but arguing the toss over Gaza also seems like a vote loser. This fight might get dirty.