Incumbent councillors Rashmi Joshi and John Thomas started the meeting as the overwhelming favourites to be re-selected to fight the seat in May.

Rashmi won the vote. But what happened to John, the party’s “influencer”, full-council partisan motormouth and right-hand man to Keith Vaz?

Well, he ended up in a tie. With Colin Hall.

When Vaz’s man can’t get the outright blessing of his own party members, something is up. Feel free to speculate in the comments. The meeting was adjourned and there’ll no doubt be some “strategic interventions” before members reconvene.It’ll be interesting to see whether members stick to their guns.

Meanwhile over in Rushey Mead former city leader Ross Willmott has been re-selected despite some fervent efforts in some quarters to de-select him.

If re-elected, expect a new lease of life from him during the next council term.