A London council is set to debate a controversial motion that would see “Operation Raise the Colours” branded “far-right”. Two Labour councillors on the Aspire Party-run Tower Hamlets Council have launched a bid to condemn both the flag-raisers and the “Pink Ladies”, a campaign group formed after a series of attacks by hotel migrants over the summer.
The pair — Mufeedah Bustin and Abdi Mohamed — are behind the motion to “stand up to the far-right and tackle uneven development on the Isle of Dogs”. The proposed motion has sparked controversy for its characterisation of legitimate safety concerns and displays of national pride as extremist activity.
In the motion, the councillors propose that Tower Hamlets Council hail its own “rich history of migration and diversity”, “inclusive culture” and “history of standing up to oppression and fascism”. Brexit is labelled a “far-right narrative”, whilst concerns over safety at a migrant hotel are accused of “becoming entwined with far-right narratives under the banner of keeping women and children safe.
Motion Calls for Recognition of Migrant Contributions
The local authority is urged to recognise that “migrants and refugees contribute more to the UK economy than they take out. Councillors are set to debate whether “the conflation of economic crisis in the UK with increased levels of migration is factually incorrect and deliberately used by those with their own agendas to cause division in communities”.
The motion acknowledges that the Home Office placed migrants at a hotel on the Isle of Dogs over summer “without warning to the council or to residents. However, it suggests that legitimate safety concerns have been manipulated by extremist groups.
“Local residents have valid concerns around safety, security and equity, but in the absence of information or leadership, these concerns have been allowed to escalate and become entwined with far-right narratives under the banner of keeping women and children safe,” the councillors stated.
Far-Right Groups Identified
The council is urged to note how “over the summer, the presence and activity of far-right and fascist groups at the Britannia Hotel in recent weeks, including individuals associated with White Vanguard, the Homeland Party, the ‘Spartans’, the English Defence League, figures linked to Tommy Robinson and convicted paedophiles”.
Councillor Bustin works part-time for a “legal action NGO” which “defends marginalised people”. On social media, Councillor Mohamed says he “spearheaded innovative programs such as the Somali Task Force and the Tower Hamlets Brexit Commission on behalf of the Mayor of Tower Hamlets.
“Additionally, I successfully managed election campaigns for Sadiq Khan for Mayor and the City & East Greater London Authority,” he adds.
Flag Removal Controversy
Tower Hamlets became the second local authority over the summer to decry “Operation Raise the Colours”. The council vowed to remove English and British flags which had been hoisted on lampposts “as soon as possible”.
A spokesman for the Aspire Party-led council said: “We are aware members of the public have been putting up St George’s flags on various structures. While we recognise people wish to express their views, we have a responsibility to monitor and maintain council infrastructure. Where flags are attached to council-owned infrastructure without permission, they may be removed as part of routine maintenance.”
However, Palestine flags were allowed to fly for months unobstructed, sparking accusations of double standards and two-tier treatment of different communities.
Shadow Justice Secretary Condemns “Two-Tier Bias”
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick condemned the council’s approach to flag displays. “Tower Hamlets council have allowed Palestinian flags to be publicly displayed on lampposts but not the flag of our country,” he said.
“This absurd national self-loathing must end. This is yet more two-tier bias against the British people. We must be one country united under the Union flag.”
His comments reflected broader frustration amongst those who view the council’s stance as discriminatory against expressions of British national identity whilst permitting displays of support for international causes.
Pink Ladies Campaign Group
The motion’s characterisation of the Pink Ladies as connected to far-right narratives has proven particularly contentious. The women’s safety group was formed in response to a series of attacks by hotel migrants over the summer, representing local residents’ concerns about security in their community.
Critics of the motion argue that labelling women organising for their own safety as far-right represents an attempt to silence legitimate grievances and concerns. The characterisation has been seen by some as dismissive of genuine safety issues faced by local residents.
Brexit Branded “Far-Right Narrative”
The motion’s description of Brexit as a “far-right narrative” has also attracted criticism. Brexit was supported by 52 per cent of British voters in the 2016 referendum and has been implemented by successive governments, making its characterisation as an extremist position controversial.
The motion suggests that linking economic difficulties to migration levels is “factually incorrect and deliberately used by those with their own agendas to cause division in communities”. This framing has been challenged by those who argue that concerns about migration’s economic impact represent legitimate policy debate rather than extremism.
Council’s Migrant Hotel Response
The councillors acknowledged that the Home Office’s decision to place migrants at the Isle of Dogs hotel without warning created difficulties. The lack of communication with the council or residents meant that concerns arose in an information vacuum, potentially allowing more extreme voices to gain traction.
However, critics of the motion argue that characterising all concerns about the migrant hotel as far-right ignores the legitimate issues raised by local residents about safety, resources and community cohesion.
The debate is expected to highlight deep divisions within Tower Hamlets over how to balance support for migrants and refugees with addressing residents’ concerns about safety and community impacts. The outcome of the vote will signal the council’s approach to these contentious issues.
Follow for more updates on Britannia Daily.
