Given the miniscule Tory vote in Leabridge, no true democrat could argue against Labour’s call for Cllr Kelly to now resign her seat and fight a by-election. But despite such contradictions, her defection raises serious questions for the Labour group, which – Cllr Kelly convincingly argues – has been zealous in stifling opposition. Backbenchers should not be prevented from speaking their minds, and both the anti-cuts letter and Cllr Kelly’s defection indicate a growing disdain for the submissive consensus which for so long has characterised the Hackney Labour group.