After a year of the political mess in Harrow and the damage caused because of the ILG factor (Independent Labour Group), we are relieved that Harrow Borough Council now has a majority administration (Labour) and the residents can expect stability at the council and good quality services once again.

Some Tories argue that they got one per cent more votes than the Labour group and therefore should have more seats.

The statistical fact is that the Tory average vote was slightly more than Labour only in nine wards (mostly because of the six strong Tory wards), while Labour average vote was consistently more than the Tory vote in 12 wards.

We are very worried about the worth of the Tory group now in opposition because of its defeat, despite the Prime Minister, Mayor of London and the Home Secretary’s visits to Harrow and dividing the community in the process.

Such is the situation that all Tory candidates, including the sitting councillor, were defeated in the Rayners Lane ward, which was exclusively visited by the Home Secretary.

The Harrow situation also reflects badly on the Government: the Prime Minister visits Harrow and praises the minority Tory group for its ‘good work’ but the voters did not believe him.

This raises serious question about his political judgement and credibility nationally.

Regarding the humiliated ILG, which wasted significant public money while at the civic centre, we hope it has learnt the hard way that the politics of hatred and revenge has no place in mainstream politics and therefore could not win it any seats.

We feel sorry for a number of innocent ILG candidates who were recruited for a political showdown and obviously got nowhere.

Jaiya Shah

Chairman, Harrow Council for Justice