It is a complete myth to say that the electoral college is either an illegitimate method of selection or that its operation delivered the selection unfairly for Frank Dobson. To complain about a result is one thing, but to walk away and run against the party is to place yourself outside the party for ever. It is a step I would never contemplate, nor would the vast majority of Labour's members, be they on the right or the left. The question of Ken running as an independent has been raised time and time again over the past few months and he ruled it out absolutely. It is time for the speculation to stop.
Labour deserves better than the events of the past few days.
We have a candidate now and Frank Dobson deserves better than to be undermined in this way. It is time the nonsense stopped and all of us, including Ken, backed Frank for mayor - as he promised.