Former Coventry Conservative councillor defects to Labour

A former Coventry councillor who was at the centre of a bitter row over electoral fraud has switched political sides.

Altaf Adalat, a former Conservative councillor for Foleshill, has defected to Labour – insisting he plans to stand for the city council again in the future.

His election victory in 2006 was the subject of a legal battle which ended with Mr Adalat’s cousin being found guilty of casting two votes under false names.

Mr Adalat had won the election by just six votes and Labour leaders demanded he resign after his cousin, Iftikhar Hussain, of Birmingham, was convicted.

He refused to resign but lost his seat in the 2010 council elections.

Now Mr Adalat has switched to his “true home” and joined the city’s Labour Party.

He said: “It was not an easy decision and I’ve been thinking about it for some time. In a way it’s sad because I have some good friends in the Conservative party but my heart was always with Labour.

“When I first got into politics it was the influence of friends and family that got me in to the Conservatives.

"I want to get involved and just want to help the people of Foleshill. I’ve found my true destiny and I’m happy.”

Mr Adalat, 49, thanked Tory councillors Kevin Foster and Hazel Noonan for their support.

He partly blamed his defection on a feud with former city Lord Mayor, Tory Shabbir Ahmed.

Speaking about Mr Ahmed – who was selected ahead of him to stand for the Tories in Foleshill at the May elections this year – Mr Adalat said he “couldn’t stand in the same room as him”.

Mr Ahmed was defeated by Labour councillor Malkiat Auluck in May.

Bob Ainsworth, Labour MP for Coventry North East, said of the defection: “When people cross the floor in politics there are always one or two feelings.

“But there are people in the Labour party who know him and know he’s been thinking about this for some time.

“I think he was a good councillor and I’m enormously pleased he’s decided to join the Labour party.”

However, the defection of Mr Adalat, has drawn a less-than-enthusiastic response from city council leader John Mutton.

The leader of the council’s Labour group said: “Normally I’m pleased when someone goes down the road to Damascus and realises what they believed in was wrong, and that Conservative policies are bad for this country.

“However, there would appear to be some baggage in this instance. Whichever ward Adalat decides to go in for would review the situation.

“In terms of membership, I’ve no comment to make about people who may or may not want to stand for the council. That’s down to the party.”

Doesn't sound as if he has any real convictions, just wants to be in politics.

Do any of them these days?

Former Coventry councillor switched parties after election snub

A FORMER Coventry councillor at the centre of a bitter electoral fraud row has revealed he switched political parties after being snubbed for re-selection.

Altaf Adalat, a former Conservative councillor for Foleshill, says he wanted to stand for the Tories in his old ward but defected to Labour after the party chose former city Lord Mayor Shabbir Ahmed instead.

The controversial figure announced he had found his “true home” in the city’s Labour Party this week and vowed to stand for election again.

His election victory in 2006 caused a political storm after Mr Adalat’s cousin was found guilty of casting two false votes. Mr Adalat won by just six votes.

Labour demanded his resignation after the judge labelled his cousin, Iftikhar Hussain, from Birmingham, “just a foot soldier” in the deception.

In a statement following the Telegraph’s story this week, Mr Adalat said his switch came because the Tory “inner circle” chose Mr Ahmed to fight the May elections in Foleshill Ward – which they lost.

“The Conservative party ignored the community’s views completely,” he said

“This told me firmly the Conservatives do not care about what the community wants, but only about their own self gain.

“I want to represent a party that actually cares and listens to our community and that is why I chose to join the Labour Party.

“So bring on the next elections and let our community decide.”

Bob Ainsworth, MP for Coventry North East, has backed his return but Coventry City Council and Labour group leader John Mutton poured cold water on the idea, insisting Mr Adalat carried “baggage”.

The 49-year-old lost his Foleshill seat in the 2010 elections to Labour councillor Malkiat Auluck, who still holds the seat to this day.

Mr Adalat insists he only joined the city’s Conservatives after influence from friends and family when entering politics.

He added: “The community wanted me to stand and represent them. At our meetings they were outraged and demanded answers.

“These have still not been given.”