Labour expels rebel councillors over 'betrayal'

REBEL councillors who are said to have 'betrayed' their constituents by instigating a breakaway from Harrow Labour Group have been expelled from the Labour Party only 24 hours after the Observer revealed that they were attempting to rejoin in a dramatic U-turn.

The national Labour Party confirmed today that the nine members of the Independent Labour Group, including Harrow Council leader Councillor Thaya Idaikkadar, will not be allowed to rejoin the party despite their efforts to do so on Thursday last week.

Labour Party rules indicate that members are automatically ineligible to be or remain a party member when they join a different political party.

A Labour Party spokesman said: "Letters have been sent to the nine members of the Independent Group on Harrow Council confirming their exclusion from membership of the Labour Party as a result of having joined an organisation other than the official Labour Group.

"It is important to note that it was not until after these individuals were not elected to their preferred positions within the Labour Group that they made any complaints about the running of the Labour Group.

"Indeed no complaints were made to the Labour Party whilst the nine now Independent Councillors were members of the Labour Party."

Labour Group leader Councillor David Perry is now looking forward to recapturing the nine lost seats in the upcoming 2014 election.

He said: "All nine members of the Independent Labour Group have betrayed the members of their ward who elected them."

The Harrow Labour Group are now half-way through a selection process for the upcoming election in 2014.

"We have some fantastic local people," Mr Perry said. "They're hard working, committed, passionate and have experience and vision. We are confident of recapturing those seats."

In the meantime, Mr Perry will lead the Labour Group into opposition against Mr Idaikkadar's ruling minority, which also is backed by two non-executive, non-voting members of the Conservative Group.

Mr Perry added: "I'm disappointed that we are where we are. The people in Harrow voted for a Labour administration and do not have one because of the Independent Labour Group's actions."