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I agree with some of what you say there Keith about democracy etc. Part of a democratic society is the freedom to air our views and change our minds without let or hindrance. Whatever our opinion of those who change sides, and politicos of all colours do frequently, it is their right to do so, and I support that principle. I suspect you do too, but it's just not for you. We should not castigate those who feel their beliefs or principles have been betrayed or those who stick around even though the party is no longer recognisable as the one originally chosen for support.
Traditional Labour folks were horrified at the new direction Blair set them on, as were Tories when Maggie took the reins, and again when suffering a series of 'wet' leaders. It's just the way it goes sometimes.
With regard to the clock incident. Ken is right, the unchallenged Labour group at DTC were proposing to spend £10,000 of our money to have a clock erected, at the London Road/Tower Hamlets junction. It was this totally injudicious and unjustifiable waste of public money that spurred a number to put up for the Indies at that time.
Howard, with regard Peter Drew's election, it is not a candidates fault if no-one stands against them at an election, and, as I recall, there had to be an election for that DTC seat at the time as it had officially been called for by the Labour group.