In the early 1980s , Bengalis in Tower Hamlets used to be denied access to membership of the Labour Party.
The Bangladeshis were a community of a few hundred people at the beginning of the 20th century in the UK [ mainly those linked to working on merchant ships of the British Empire] and now the national proportion stands at around 700,000 [ excluding those being processed through the immigration system] Our relationship with Britain is entwined with the legacy of imperialism and colonialism in the former undivided India. The success of the “Battle of Brick Lane in 1978”, which was a “community resistance movement” against racism and fascism in Tower Hamlets -paved the way for recognition of the presence of the Bangladeshi community in the UK. This is the “turning point” for the Bengali community in the UK, which started with a struggle for survival and later created the momentum for social, economic and political advancement of this particularly deprived & disadvantaged community in the decades to follow.
However, the mainstream political journey of the Bengali community in Tower Hamlets has always been subjected to obstruction, conspiracy and derailed by “clique/s” based politics within the Labour Party. The right, centre and left wing of the Labour Party were adamantly united against the political progress of Bengalis. Is this because of their weak economic standing, culture/identity or religion? There are examples of other minority communities, who have struggled less and achieved more in terms of social, economic and political advancement in a much shorter period of time? The question that begs asking is why has the Bangladeshi community been subjected to such bigotry , discrimination and hostile environment?
In the early 1980s, Bengalis in Tower Hamlets used to be denied access to membership of the Labour Party. The party used to be controlled by traditional white working class men and their families. Powerful individuals decided on policies, priorities and patronage and the internal party democracy was in the hands of a few individuals. The Tower Hamlets council used to be run like a ‘mafia’ operation, without much public accountability or scrutiny. For example, housing allocations used to be decided on the say so and whims of powerful individuals or self- acclaimed community leaders. There were allegations of “bribes” and “corruption” by local authority housing officers. The Bengalis were denied access to public sector and council housing in a systematic and discriminatory manner. Bengalis had to take the political agenda into their own hands to try and change their fate. They defeated the official Labour party candidate in the Spitalfields ward of Tower Hamlets held in 1982, by forming the “People’s Alliance of East London” and successfully elected the first Bengali independent Councillor -Nurul Haque. This action sent shock waves through the political establishment.
The left, middle and right wing “cliques” united to stop Rajonuddin Jalal replacing late Cllr Sadek Ahmed [ who died from a sudden heart -attack] ,in the former St. Katherines ward of Tower Hamlets in 1986, because they did not want to allow an independent minded and able Bengali political activist to come to the political front line. The non- computerised membership list of the ward party was tempered and manipulated with by an individual to ensure the victory to John Biggs, by just one single vote. A vitriolic campaign was spearheaded by the right wing -new middle class entryists into the borough against key Bengali activists, who were replacing the white working class old guards. Ironically, an element of the newly arrived left wingers were also supporting this move. Some of the Bengali self-interested activists were also enticed to support them with promises of future prospects, opportunities and favours- through the usual “divide and rule tactic”. Their main motto was to earnestly stop any Bengali political advancement/ achievement in Tower Hamlets.
When late Peter Shore MP, later Ian Mikardo MP and subsequently Alf Lomas MEP retired, the expectation was that able & credible Bengali activists will replace them through the democratic process. However, the same “clique/s” ensured through political manoeuvring and manipulation of the membership system with help of the London Regional labour Party, that in the place of Peter Shore , Oona King was parachuted in as an unknown candidate and became an MP for the Bethnal Green and Bow constituency on 1st May 1997 [ supported by John Biggs and “clique”, because they wanted to stop the Bengali credible candidates at any cost]. The majority white membership of the party could support the only Bengali female candidate remaining on the short list[ for convenience and PR purposes]; but the “clique/s” decided otherwise. Left winger - Mildred Gordon was brought out of retirement by a coalition of the right and left wing “clique/s” to replace Ian Mikardo MP. And later the Bengali advancement opposing “clique/s” united [right-wing John Biggs and left wing Jill Cove], who were also supported by the policeman of the Regional Labour Party establishment ensured that ALF Lomas MEP was replaced by Claude Moreas [ a person of east African origin]. The one thing that united the left, centre and right wingers within the Tower Hamlets Labour Party was their opposition to Bangladeshi advancement-the “ stop Bengalis” campaign. It is also to be noted that where necessary, the “clique/s” ensured that the Bangladeshi community was punished with the gift of non-Bengali candidates/representatives imposed upon them. However, at this juncture credit should be given where it is due. The next batch of younger white left wingers, who arrived as activists to join the Labour party in Tower Hamlets became more pro-active about race, equality and diversity issues and started to support some of the Bengali cause e.g., “ Banglatown”, “Boisakhi arts and cultural MELA” and the “Soheed Minar” at the Altab Ali Park in Whitechapel- in the western half of the Borough. This new trend became more pronounced on the basis of ideological convictions, when the division between the broad left and right within the party became more apparent , especially after Labour regained power in Tower Hamlets by defeating the local racist Liberal Democrats in 1994.
It is also to be noted that the Bengali activists of the Labour party also engaged in “caucus” based politics to mobilise the membership/community and engaged in campaigns to increase the empowerment of the Bengali community to seek representation, influence and positions.
Bengalis did not get a look in for the GLA positions either, because the head of the right wing “clique”, John Biggs secured this position for himself -perhaps his gift for being a loyal agent of the London Regional Labour Party policemen, [he usually seeks nomination for every available position]. It is also known that apart from the manipulation of the Labour party’s political system for personal gains, the “clique/s” [ including Jim Fitzpatrick MP and Robin Wales -former Executive Mayor of Newham ], also ensured that not only did the Bengali candidates did not get a look in, but those on the approved list of candidates for the London wide seats from Tower Hamlets, were removed by the Regional party policemen and replaced with another Bengali candidate from West London [ Murad Qureshi in the place of R. Jalal]. In the nutshell, it was evident that the “clique/s”, who were controlling the Tower Hamlets Labour Party wanted to teach a lesson to Bengali activists, who were making too much noise and were not obedient enough for their liking!
Tony Blair’s declaration of the illegal war on Iraq galvanised faith based politics in Tower Hamlets, as argued by them in search for justice and fair treatment of Muslims. This new found trend was popularised and politicalised by the arrival of George Galloway in Tower Hamlets and the formation of his new “RESPECT” political party. Indeed, he successfully cultivated the sentiments prevailing within the community against the illegal war on Iraq and what was perceived as attacks on independent and sovereign Muslim countries, which led to the combined dissatisfaction with the Labour Party elite. George Galloway successfully became an MP for Bethnal Green and Bow on 5th May 2005. More importantly, he kept his word and did not stand for a second term. By this time, the Labour Party had learnt that the Bengali political activism cannot be ignored forever and they were forced to support the nomination of a right wing Bengali candidate[former PA to Oona King], Rushnara Ali. She was not challenged by the “RESPECT” party and they did not nominate a candidate, because the local community on this occasion was happy to achieve symbolic representation in the House of Commons through the Labour Party. The well-known “clique/s” had to greet their teeth and adapt to this new reality. Or is it because they were happy with a right wing “Blairite” candidate?
The “RESPECT” party were nevertheless cooking up a new political project and started a signature campaign to trigger a ballot to start the Executive Mayoral system in Tower Hamlets. Once again, they primarily attracted support of the faith based political movement and achieved thousands of votes in favour of the new system [ also privately supported by the above-mentioned “cliques” belonging to the to the Labour Party, who felt that they can fulfil their personal political ambitions thorough this new system].
For the first election of the Executive Mayoralty in 2010, Lutfur Rahman was nominated by the Labour Party with a huge mandate of the party membership. But, the “ clique/s” could not tolerate his success and by the virtue of that success -leading to one step further political advancement of the Bangladeshi community. The whole establishment, including the Westminster bubble, mainstream media [ including BBC Panorama] and the Labour party hierarchy embroiled in a dirty and unprecedented campaign to defame Lutfur Rahman as a candidate with a view to stop him becoming the new executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets. The campaign also attracted support of a number of cash donating individuals and a tax dodging Bengali from Sweden[ who had moved to Brick Lane with his business ventures and was not happy with the scrutiny he was facing from Lutfur Rahman’s administration, because they were questioning his money grabbing planning applications to expand his property portfolios]. Eventually, the entire British establishment united to defeat Lutfur Rahman, disqualified him from office for 5 years and he was not allowed to practice as a Solicitor. However, the multi-cultural communities of Tower Hamlets [ the borough now has around 50% less Bengalis compared to 15 years ago], elected him to office again as the Executive Mayor, for the third time, in May 2022, with a resounding victory leading to the creation of a new history. Lutfur Rahman’s victory against the vitriolic campaign by the right wing within the Labour Party and the whole establishment has returned the dignity of the Bengali/Muslim community, who had so far been treated as “liars, vote riggers and corrupt”! John Biggs and his “clique” has suffered a humiliating defeat, but have they learnt a lesson yet? The will of the people prevails for the time being. The question is whether a faith backed Mayoralty , will allow Lutfur Rahman to deliver his promised socialist vision, policies and programmes for the people of Tower Hamlets?
At the present time, the “clique/s” attention has turned to Apsana Begum MP. She is the only known Bengali/ hijab wearing -Muslim politician , who stands on a political platform with identity, conviction and socialist values. She is the only known prominent left wing politician of Bengali/ Muslim origin, who openly supports Jeremy Corbyn MP and his ideology of equality, freedom and justice for all. She is also supported by Momentum. But she has been subjected to the most personalised, outrageous and vindictive attack by different “cliques/s”, consisting of right wingers, unrealistically ambitious Bengalis [ including some women] and some Bengali men through their misogynistic /sexist campaign [ including supporters of her ex-husband, who lost the court case against her]. She has also been a victim of Bangladeshi politics [ although she knows very little or has no involvement], together with divisiveness on the basis of regional politics -partly emanating from personal rivalries. The right wing Rushnara Ali MP has been re-selected as a candidate without any difficulty , because she is supported by Kier Starmer and his “Red Tories”. Should the Labour Party establishment tolerate such unacceptable level of vitriolic treatment & victimisation of a Bengali/ Muslim woman politician? As a consequence of the fate suffered by Apsana Begum MP, would it be possible for more Bengali/Muslim women to come forward and get involved in mainstream political parties? What kind of an example is the Labour party setting for younger, Bengali and Muslim women to participate in mainstream politics? Whatever happened to the concept of tolerance for different social & democratic thoughts, values and practices within the context of the “Labour Party being a broad church for all” ?
Unless the Labour Party brings to an end the “clique“ based politics , practiced by self -interested , egoistic and reactionary/bigoted individuals and groups in Tower Hamlets , then the future looks bleak. One would not be surprised, if Lutfur Rahman’s ASPIRE political party decided to contest the two parliamentary seats in Tower Hamlets, then it is more likely that they can win them. Isn’t it time for the Labour Party establishment to come to its senses and end the fiasco in Tower Hamlets politics by agreeing a settlement with Lutfur Rahman and his ASPIRE party? Lutfur Rahman used to be the Leader of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets as a former Labour Councillor. He was forced to count on the support of faith based organisations because of the smear, vindictiveness and victimisation inflicted upon him by the known right wing “cliques”. Why can’t we let the natural son of the Labour Party come back home? The time is ripe for cleaning up the dirty, divisive and “clique” based politics in Tower Hamlets. Let’s make progress with Labour politics in Tower Hamlets on the basis of decency, ideological convictions and fairness.
These are views of a British /Bangladeshi political activist, who has been active within the Labour Party over the last 50 years!
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Jalal Rajonuddin, Legendary British-Bangladeshi politician and community leader
The opinions expressed in the column are solely the author's.
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