Much of the flak directed at Aspire is straightforwardly Islamophobic. It is a very particular, highly localised Tower Hamlets expression of the collapse of Labour and the Tories as the two main parties in the British system. To the best of my knowledge, it has not taken bribes from Russia, appointed a paedophile’s best mate as an ambassador or given peerages to people who made tens of millions from ripping off the NHS.

Its cardinal sin is that it is an almost exclusively Bangladeshi, Muslim, male party offering a moderate social democracy to a working class electorate. My grasp of theology is not firm enough to confirm that Muslims can commit cardinal sins, but you get the idea.

Campaigning for the 2026 local elections has already begun. Yesterday, Mayor Lutfur Rahman did the sort of thing people seeking re-election do and handed out prizes at a charity fun run organised by the East London Mosque. Whatever the socialist view of charity, people seem to approve of it, and it gives politicians a chance to show their compassionate side.

See if you can spot where the problem might be.

“Our inclusive atmosphere ensures that every individual, from the youngest to the oldest, can take part and make a difference. This is open to men, boys of all ages and girls under 12, but everyone is welcome at the park to cheer on the runners.”

It is a downright odd use of the word “inclusive” to say that the event is open to only 61% of people. By that definition you are included in the Olympic 100 metres sprint if you are watching it on TV.

Rahman’s defence of this was downright stupid.

“What is important is that they have brought communities together. There is no room for criticism. There’s room for celebration and congratulating the fact that youngsters from a very young age to an elder who is 94 participated.”

He could have said something along the lines of “it’s lovely that so many people have been brought together thanks to the work of an important local organisation and we will be discussing with them how to widen participation in future events.” He could have said that “next year there will be an event for women and children as well as an event for men and children”. There very definitely is room for criticism. There is no need to go along with the socially conservative opinions of a bunch of men. Sporting events are either single sex or open to everyone and it is dishonest to argue that excluding women and adolescent girls makes for an inclusive event.

In terms of local politics, this will do Rahman’s election campaign no damage at all. His voters correctly see much of the hostile coverage he gets as Islamophobic. Whatever dodgy stuff Aspire may or may not do is chicken feed compared to Labour, the Tories and Reform. However, rumours persist that Aspire may join the new Sultana / Corbyn party and poorly thought out justifications of events such as yesterday’s will build tensions into from the start.