Statement from Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE on Newham's May 2026 mayoral election

 

(The Labour Party has announced that former Newham Councillor (and Cabinet member) Forhad Hussain has been selected as the Labour Candidate for the May 2026 mayoral election). 

Newham Council AGM 2025

Last Thursday evening was the Newham Council AGM, which was held this year in the new Shipman Youth Zone.

In this picture taken at the end of the meeting I am with the Chair of Council (our civic major), Cllr Dr Rohit Das Gupta, our local MPs James Asser and Uma Kumaran and the Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz together with some of the officers of Newham Labour Group. I am now its chair (again!). 

1st Labour Canvass in Forest Gate North 2025

 

This morning I joined Labour colleagues for my first canvass of 2025. It was led by local Councillor Rachel Tripp and we were joined by local activists and later by Newham Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz. 

I live near by and know this area fairly well. While there was real problems over parking control and Anti-social behaviour, most residents I spoke to were fairly satisfied with Council services and the social housing stock (nearly all Housing Associations) appeared to be managed effectively. Rachel was recognised by a number of residents as their long standing and active local Councillor. 

There was complaints about Council parking enforcement being too lax but other complaints about them being too strict. Perhaps then the balance is about right? One of the canvassers, despite wearing a bright red "Labour & Co-op Party" hat, was asked by a resident if he was a Jehovah witness. I had an interesting conversation with one resident, who admitted that she had never voted but she would consider doing so in the future. I gave my view that the powers to be had never wanted working class people to have the vote in the first place and if we did not use it then they will try and take it away. 

The cost of living crisis is still hitting residents and they are genuinely worried about the economy and public services. I share their worries but asked them to judge the Labour Government on what it does in the next 4-5 years and not in its first 6 months. 

Afterwards we went to the "Wild Goose" Bakery for feedback, coffee and gossip. It had been a good session.   

Next week we will be out and about in West Ham ward. 

Launch of Campaign by James Asser to be the Labour MP of West Ham & Beckton

 

Great picture from today's launch in Beckton, Newham and apologies for last minutes changes to venue. We also had with us Stephen Timms (standing again for East Ham), new candidate, Uma Kumaran (who had a fantastic launch in Stratford earlier), for Stratford & Bow, former West Ham MP Lyn Brown, Newham Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz  and Labour London Assembly member for City & East Umesh Desai. As well as local Councillors and activists. 

Afterwards we split up into 4 canvass teams to support James and my fellow East End housing worker Blossem Young (right of picture), who is standing for the Beckton Council seat vacated by James. Will post again on this canvass, Uma's launch and the other Newham by elections. A lot going on. 

"Education stalwart remembered as Mayor of Newham leads tributes to former councillor Graham Lane"

 I did not know Graham that well. He stood down as a Councillor in 2010 the same year that I first stood. 

However, I did go to various political events and campaigns (see posts) with him and found him polite, thoughtful and well informed. 

I did enjoy his book "How Different Governments Have Weakened Local Government and Democracy"  

A true public servant. 

"On behalf of everyone at Newham Council, Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE has offered deepest condolences to the widow, family and friends of former councillor Graham Lane who died on Thursday 25 March 2024.

Graham Lane served as a Newham councillor for 24 years from 1986-2010, having been elected as a Labour councillor for former Hudson ward between 1986 to 2002; and Plaistow South ward in the West Ham parliamentary constituency between 2002-2010. He served as a member of the Social Housing Committee and the chair of the Education Committee at the Council, in addition as the Labour Chair of the Education Committee of the Local Government Association where he also led the statutory National Employers for Teachers body.

Mayor Fiaz said: “Graham was a dedicated Labour councillor resolutely committed to improving the opportunities and outcomes for all Newham residents, particularly our children and young people. His passion for education and youth services in our borough has been an inspiration, and we continue his legacy through our enduring commitment to make Newham the best place for children and young people to realise their ambitions and achieve their potential.

“He started his career as an inspiring teacher at Little Ilford Secondary School, and during his time on the Council was instrumental in establishing the Newham Sixth Form College in Plaistow. His focused commitment to improve the outcomes and life chances for all children and young people in Newham extended to a passionate advocacy at national level. He was instrumental in the introduction of Educational Maintenance Grants for 16-19 year-olds so that those from non-traditional and working class backgrounds could access further and higher education.

“It is this legacy of honourable, honest and ethical public service that will be cherished by all who were so privileged in knowing Graham. My thoughts and prayers to his beloved wife Isabel, and his family and friends who will forever love him at this saddest of times.”

Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, Councillor Neil Wilson, said: “I was privileged to know and work alongside Graham in political circles for over 40 years. Throughout that time his commitment to the young people of the borough, and nationally, both in education and youth services, inspired me and many others in our involvement as councillors, governors and officers. He was a very active councillor in Plaistow, who served his constituents well, and was always diligent and conscientious in all aspects of his council work.”

During his time as a Councillor in Newham, Graham played a major role in the development of community and inclusive education; alongside forging productive and positive working relations between school governors, teachers and the Council. As a member of the Newham Music Trust, Graham promoted the development of music enrichment services for children and young people across the schools in the borough; and was a member of the Plaistow Community Forum advocating strongly in the interests of local residents.

In 2013, Graham published the notable book ‘How different Governments have weakened Local Government and Democracy’, reflecting on his experience as a councillor.

He was also a board member of the National Youth Agency; the Open University Council; the National Institute of Adult Education; the European Lifelong Learning Commission; the Institute for Education Business Excellence; Partnership for Young London; the Young People Now Foundation; the National Learning and Work Institute; and Youth Access.

Newham Councillors will be paying tribute to former councillor Graham Lane at the Annual Council Meeting on 23 May 2024 taking place from 7.00pm at the Old Town Hall Stratford.

Graham Lane’s funeral will be held on Friday 26 April at 11am, at Manor Park Crematorium, Sebert Road, E7 0NP. At the family’s request, donations instead of flowers would be kindly received for the Alzheimer’s Society, c/o Co-op Funeralcare, 148 North Street, Romford RM1 1DL".

West Ham welcomes Sadiq Khan as London Labour Mayoral Candidate

 

Today we met up with Cllr James Beckles in West Ham Ward (Newham, London) who is standing as a "Labour List" candidate in next months London Assembly Elections. He was with the East London & City candidate, Unmesh Desai and we had a special guest turn up - our London Labour Mayoral candidate, Sadiq Khan. 

As well as East Ham MP, Stephen Timms, Newham Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz, councillors and many local Party activists from across the borough (including the one and only John Saunders). Footballers in the Park also stopped to join us and listen. 

After short speeches from James, Unmesh and Sadiq, we split up into canvass teams. Two teams went to canvass West Ham while the others left for Forest Gate South. 

I led one team of 4 canvassers and was pleased that we had 46 contacts, the overwhelming majority being solid Labour. I was also really pleased when a local resident came up to us and explained she was a new Labour Party member and wanted to volunteer to deliver leaflets. She explained that she had been a Labour supporter for many years but had only just joined the Party in order to help get rid of this "rotten Tory Government". 

After coffee in the Sawmill, I stopped off to deliver leaflets to volunteers and took some photos of trip hazards that had been brought to my attention as case work. A good day. 

Labour Local Government Association Conference 2024: Day 2

 

Picture collage from yesterday evening and day 2 of the Conference held in Warwick. Labour is now the largest political party in UK local government. 

There was a number of workshops, formal speeches and panel debates. It was informative and interesting. A great but rarely found combination in municipal politics! 

Powerful speech by our deputy Labour Party leader, Angela Rayner, stressing that Labour will fund councils on the need of its residents not on the politics of its governing party. Unlike this Tory Government. 

Former Council leader and now MP Jim McMahon pointed out that local government had lost 900,000 workers since 2010 due to cuts but central government had gained 900,000 workers. A massive centralisation of power and resources. 

I asked a question of Shadow Social Care Minister, Andrew Gwynne about the role of local government in the future "fair pay" (sectorial bargaining) of the care sector by the Labour "New Deal for Working Families". All of the panel made reference to the importance of making sure that care workers get decent pay and conditions. Andrew made it clear that while "New Deal" was not part of his portfolio (I should have asked Angie) he is sure that local government will play an important role. Which makes sense to me. 

It was also an opportunity this weekend to share with the many unison members presence an early celebration of "Love Unions" week (starts tomorrow 12 Feb)

West Ham Ward Christmas Campaign: Sadiq Khan for London Labour Mayor in 2024

 

This morning I went to my Councillor advice surgery for local residents, then this afternoon I joined colleagues in the ward to deliver leaflets (Labour doorstep was down) for Sadiq Khan, to be re-elected as London Mayor in May 2024. 

We were joined by the Newham Labour Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz and we also delivered leaflets for West Ham ward residents, on how to contact us if they have a problem (and also our Local MP, Lyn Brown and GLA, Assembly member, Unmesh  Desai). We were joined by Cllr Shaban Mohammed, who missed the group photo. 

People appreciated having information on contacting their elected representatives and were as you can imagine for the time of year, quite relaxed and many were happy to chat with us. 

I had one women say that "we are sort of Labour but we don't like Starmer". I responded that I didn't agree with everything he has said or done (I have never agreed with everything any Labour Leader has done) but he is the only leader who can defeat the tories, and that trumps everything. She did not disagree.

We finished off at the beginning (or end) of Corporation Road and had photo outside a relatively new and unusual family business run by two twin brothers - its a mens barbers and a cycle repair shop. One brother is a barber and the other a mechanic. Why not? Will bring my bikes there for a service. Take your bike in and he will give you a price (and if you are male, you can have a hair cut by his brother at the same time). 

Across Newham we had 4 different campaign sessions today.  

Eve of Poll Canvass: Plaistow North By election

Picture of activists meeting up before evening canvass. By election takes place tomorrow. If you can help at all please register https://events.labour.org.uk/event/396117

Plaistow North is normally a secure Labour seat but there has been a tremendous effort by the Conservatives and the so called "Independent Landlords Party" (who have been bullying and threatening Labour members). 

The canvass went well and we were joined by the Labour Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz. I led our group via the Labour doorstep app. Some complicated low rise block numbering system caused a little bit of confusion but nothing serious.  Many thanks to our Tower Hamlets comrades who are now in the new Stratford and Bow Parliamentary seat for joining us. 

Afterwards, many of us met up for coffee and Pizza at Caloroso. Carb loading for tomorrow. Polls open 7am-10pm. 

Out and about for Labour in Boleyn

 

This morning after my West Ham ward Councillor surgery, I cycled over and joined Labour colleagues in Boleyn ward to deliver Direct messages to local residents. I missed the local MP, Sir Stephen Timms who had been with teams earlier but did join the Mayor, Candidate Sofia Patel and local Councillors and activists, walking up and down stairs delivering these messages. 

Most of the activity took place at the site of the Old West Ham FC stadium. The picture top right is I think where the centre of the pitch used to be.

It was pretty hot and a real treat to finish this session with ice cream! 

Newham Council Annual General Meeting 2023

Yesterday evening was the Formal Annual General Meeting of the London Borough of Newham Council in the Old Town Hall in Stratford. It is the nearest we usually get to "pomp and ceremony" in Newham Council meetings. 

On the way in we were lobbied effectively by a well organised branch of the local Rental Union on tenants rights. 

At the start of the meeting, we had terrific songs  by a local primary school choir.  It was nice to see the outgoing Chair of Council (in a Executive Mayor Council such as Newham, this position is somewhat similar to a traditional Civic Ceremonial Mayor) Cllr Winston Vaughan, in his red robes, fur and cocked hat being given a lovely send off. The new Chair, Cllr Rohima Rahman, also wore red robes but as the first female Chair of Bangladeshi descent in Newham, also wore her traditional headdress. 

She was a very good chair and had to deal with the obligatory "shouty" protest in the hall which disrupted the meeting for 15 minutes and then some sharp political debates about committee positions between the Labour Group and the 2 Green Councillors. For my pennyworth I must say that I found it disconcerting that our Greens make a play as being the Party of democracy and principle but then went on to make some pretty partizan and frankly, silly, claims over their influence and "achievements". 

My long standing Colleague, Cllr Stephen Brayshaw made some very pointed remarks while, our Executive Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz, also pointed out some pretty obvious inaccuracies in what had been said by them. 

Afterwards there was some nice snacks in the Courtyard, then my ward colleague, John Whitworth and I, went off to a quiet beer (or two) at the nearby, King Eddies. 

Emergency Fundraising Dinner for Turkiye & Syria - Sisters Forum

This evening I went to support a fundraising dinner being held for disaster relief of victims of the recent deadly earthquake in Turkey and Syria.  I think all of us have been pretty shocked by the media footage of the death and devastation caused and the plight of the survivors. 

The hall was fully booked and well supported by local residents including the Mayor, Chair of Council and other Councillors. Also many people from outside Newham. 

There was a number of powerful speakers but the most powerful and personal one was by Hulya Yilmza, who is from the region in Turkey that has been most affected. She described the loss of her family members and friends and some of the horrible injuries they had suffered. 

Many thanks to my Councillor colleague, Sabia Kamali, the Sisters Forum and sponsors for organising this important event so quickly and running it so well. 

You can donate online https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/emergency-earthquake

East London & the Olympics 10 years on - where next? Unmesh Desai AM

 Yesterday evening there was a reception at London City Hall (Newham!) hosted by East London & City Assembly Member, Unmesh Desai. The theme was about the Olympics 2012 legacy. There was a number of interesting speakers and it was good to meet up face to face again with colleagues from across London. 

There was of course the obligatory photo of us all from Newham Labour :-) 

Solidarity With Striking UNISON London Ambulance Service Workers

This afternoon I joined the UNISON LAS picket outside Newham Dockside Building, which is owned and used by the Council for its services but parts of the building are leased to London Ambulance Service (LAS) as its control centre for North London. 

The strike call had been particularly solid and effective. When the LAS Branch secretary, Eddie Brand (see centre left of Mayor with his famous beard) arrived here this morning at a prearranged time, nearly the entire staff on duty walked out on strike and joined the picket. 

Other Newham Labour Councillors had visited the picket line before and after but the Labour Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz (UNISON Member) joined us and spoke a few words in support of the strikers. 

Being a responsible branch and union, I observed Eddie approach the pickets after being contacted by local management, that they needed two of the strikers to return to duty to deal with an increase in priority emergency calls, for which two volunteers promptly agreed to return. 

It was really great to chat and talk to the strikers about about the stress and strains of their job, the impact that the cost of living crisis was having on them and their families as well as national politics and the lack of a 24 hour canteen in Dockside!

On the way back I stopped off again at West Ham Ambulance Station and spoke to pickets who were braving the rain but receiving great support from car drivers hooting their horns in support. 

"Newham Voices" Support meeting 17.12.22

Yesterday I went to Stratford Library to attend this meeting, celebrating 2 years of "Newham Voices" but also a call to arms for local residents, organisations and businesses to get involved and support it for the next 2 years and beyond. 

I missed the beginning (and other speakers including the Newham Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz) but was impressed that around 50 people, had over the course of the meeting, turned up the weekend before Christmas to talk about how to promote this important independent community voice. 

"Newham Voices" needs more sponsors, advertisers, subscribers and most important, more volunteers prepared to give up a little bit of time to support the project. There is fantastic support and training offered to volunteers. 

Check out for free the latest monthly edition here and how to subscribe, advertise and volunteer. 

"Topping out" at Leather Gardens, West Ham

 

I know Councillors love having their picture taken in hard hats and hi-vis (even if they don't always fit that well) but I really enjoyed this "topping out" the other week with the Mayor laying the final brick.

But the main reason for my pleasure was that this new block of 100% Council flats at social rents is in my ward. This land had been boarded up and unused since way before I became a local Councillor in 2010. While this development will not solve the massive housing crisis in Newham it is a much welcome start. 

"It is an honour to be elected to serve you" - West Ham ward thank you leaflets May 2022

Tomorrow we will start delivering these "thank you" leaflets to West Ham Ward  residents after the recent local election. 

It is a definite honour to be elected to serve our residents - and in the next 4 years we need to earn this trust. 

"A fairer future for housing – have your say on Newham Council’s housing ambitions"

"Building thousands more genuinely affordable council homes; defeating
homelessness; driving up standards, and making access to housing fairer are at the heart of two consultations launched today (Tuesday October 13) by Newham Council.

Residents are being urged to have their say on two ambitious plans that will help shape the future of housing across the borough.

The draft Housing Delivery Strategy underpins the Council’s commitment to investing millions in improving housing quality as it works to make Newham the best place for families to live and young people to grow up.

It sets out a raft of measures to: 

Put local people at the heart of housing – including co-design of regeneration schemes; greater support for residents in the private rented sector, and a tenants’ charter for council tenants

Build, buy and secure more and better homes for local people, including ensuring private developers deliver genuinely affordable housing for council rent 

Address the climate emergency by investing in green development and energy efficiency schemes for council and private homes 

Create a safer and more secure private sector, including ramping up the successful private rented sector licensing scheme 

Repair and refurbish sub-standard homes, with a focus on vulnerable adults and older people’s housing
Tackle homelessness and rough sleeping, and reduce the need for temporary accommodation

The council is also calling on the government to give local authorities necessary additional funding and greater freedom to borrow for investment in housing, and abolishing the unfair “Right to Buy” scheme that has seen thousands of homes removed from council ownership and passed on to private landlords.

Mayor of Newham Rokhsana Fiaz said: “The huge ambition of our Housing Strategy shows how serious we are about fixing a broken housing system and meeting residents’ aspirations for quality, genuinely affordable homes in Newham.

“We have made great progress against our commitments on housing, but our ambition doesn’t end there – we want to go even further to tackle the housing challenges faced by Newham residents and deliver high quality genuinely affordable council homes.

“Now more than ever, in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis, Newham’s people deserve access to good quality, secure homes where they can put down roots. We are determined to deliver that, to drive out homelessness and to continue our calls for the freedom and financial backing we need from government to help our communities thrive for generations to come.

“I hope that as many residents as possible will have their say and help us shape the future of housing here in Newham.”

As part of its commitment to making access to council housing fairer, the Council is also proposing a transformation of its Housing Allocations Policy, which sets the criteria for people hoping to get a council home in the borough.

Proposed changes to the policy – which have also opened for consultation today – aim to tackle the housing crisis, reduce the waiting list and put Newham’s residents first by prioritising council housing applicants on the basis of their housing need.

The changes would include: 

Requiring people on the council housing waiting list to have lived in the borough for at least three years, with certain exceptions for vulnerable people 

Removing employment in the borough and family connections as qualifying criteria for a “local” connection 

Restricting accrual time for those without a housing need – meaning those on the housing waiting list would only start to accrue waiting time once they had an actual housing need 

Removing the “priority homeseeker in employment” category so that all homeseekers would be treated equally, including those unemployed or unable to work

Creating a new priority category focused on overcrowding – to tackle severe overcrowding, where families need two or more additional rooms

Newham’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Deputy Mayor John Gray, said: “Newham faces the UK’s most severe housing crisis and it’s unacceptable that many of our residents are stuck in unsuitable, poor quality and over-crowded housing.

“By making our allocations policy fairer, we can be sure that we are putting local people first and prioritising those with the greatest need. Together with our wider housing strategy, these proposals will help to improve housing in Newham.”

Both consultations will run until January 4, 2021. A series of resident engagement sessions will be confirmed shortly.

View the draft Housing Strategy consultation, including further information and the chance to have your say.

View the draft Housing Allocations Policy, including further information, FAQs and the chance to have your say.

Hat tip Newham Council and picture of Tanner Point, E13 following recent walkabout with local Cllrs

Keir Starmer visits Newham NHS Professionals

"Today we didn't get the reassurance and hope we needed from the Prime Minister."

Remembering Sarah Chapman - Matchgirls strike leader

Picture of Newham Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz and myself placing flowers at the grave of Matchgirls strike leader, Sarah Chapman.

Today family members and supporters were asked to place 'A Flower for Sarah" either on her grave itself or "virtually" on social media. Her grave (and others around it) are at risk of being levelled and "mounded" with additional topsoil by the company that runs Manor Park Cemetery were she is buried. 

See further details https://www.matchgirls1888.org/press-release-1

This picture of the grave this afternoon was tweeted by the campaign