SEVEN councillors from Slough have quit the Labour Party citing "profound disillusionment and anger" over its treatment of both Diane Abbott and Faiza Shaheen as well as the party's stance on the war in Gaza.
The seven councillors, Zaffar Ajaib, Sabia Akram, Haqeeq Dar, Mohammed Nazir, Naveeda Qaseem, Waqas Sabah, and Jamilia Sabah, released a joint statement late on Monday, June 3, announcing their resignation from the party.
In the statement, the councillor’s said they felt they had “no option but to resign,” and that they wished to stay true to their values, even if the Labour Party has abandoned them.
They also raised concerns that Slough’s most recent MP, Tan Dhesi who is Labour’s candidate for Slough, had accused an independent candidate of “toxifying” the town for having support for Palestine as a campaign pledge.
Dhesi has said it was “strange” that none of those councillors had raised concerns with him.
The statement said: “We, the undersigned members and Labour Councillors of the Slough Constituency Labour Party, express our profound disillusionment and anger.
“We, the rank-and-file members, are left with no option but to resign. We must stay true to our values and conscience, even if the party we once believed in has abandoned them.”
The seven councillors also accused the Labour Party of “institutional racism” over their decisions around letting Faiza Shaheen and Diana Abbott stand in the upcoming General Election.
Last week Shaheen was told she would not stand as Labour’s candidate in Chingford and Woodford Green, in north London, over historical posts on social media despite her already beginning her campaign.
Abbott, who was Britain’s first black woman MP, only got confirmation that she would be allowed to stand again after her recent suspension from Labour last week.
The statement also criticised Labour’s position on the war in Gaza as they said they felt “gagged and silenced” since October 7, 2023, and were not allowed to speak out by the party.
They said: “The Labour Party’s decision to support the Conservative government amidst ongoing humanitarian crises and war crimes is a shocking betrayal of our core values.
“The Labour Party we have dedicated over four decades to now stands unrecognisable.
“The party’s impending victory at the next election underscores the influence of powerful lobbies over our policies, rendering our voices and values irrelevant.
“To honour this trust, we must remain strong, independent voices for our wards and residents.”
The seven councillors have confirmed they will continue to serve as independent candidates.
