Hatred runs deep in Tower Hamlets Labour – as we’ve reported before. The East London borough’s party branch still remains deeply divided after Lutfur Rahman, selected to fight for the directly-elected mayoralty by Labour, was dropped by the party national executive committee, after one of his rivals made allegations of extremism against him – claims that were later found to be without foundation. Rahman stood as an independent against the official Labour candidate – surprise, surprise, the same third-placed rival – like Ken Livingstone before him. He was subsequently expelled from Labour.
But sometimes, it seems, Tower Hamlets hatred is more infectious to those who poke their noses in from outside. This week, a trio of senior Blairites found themselves in the thick of it. Rob Marchant, a former manager at Labour HQ, caused a storm when he announced on Twitter that he would “load the revolver” if Rahman was re-admitted to the Labour party.
