Newham Labour Group "thank you" to 2026 Candidates & Organisers

 

Last month we had a genuinely lovely and informal evening bringing together candidates and organising staff from the May 2026 Council elections. It was exactly what everyone needed — good company, good humour, and some very good Italian food.

Not everyone could make it but it was a chance to chat, decompress, and reconnect with both successful and (on this occasion) unsuccessful Labour candidates. The atmosphere was warm, supportive, and full of that unmistakable real Labour movement family camaraderie that survives even the toughest election cycles.

We also heard stirring speeches from our Labour Executive Mayor, Forhad Hussain, and our local MPs Uma Kumaran and Stephen Timms. (James was unwell and couldn’t attend.) Their reflections on the campaign, the challenges ahead, and the opportunities in front of us were energising and grounded in real optimism.

And personally — I’m convinced of this — the combination of national change in leadership and, crucially, the way we will run the Council over the coming years will shape a very different political landscape by 2030. The work we do now, the culture we build, and the way we serve residents will matter. If we get it right, the election results in 2030 will look very, very different.

A lovely evening — and a reminder that even after a tough contest, our movement is full of resilience, talent, and heart.

Royal Docks, West Ham & Maryland Campaign Day 11.4.26

 

✊ A Strong Day of Campaigning Across Newham

Today was one of those days that reminds me why I love campaigning in Newham — full of energy, purpose, and real conversations with residents.

🚴‍♂️ Royal Victoria: Starting the Day with Leafletting

The morning began in Royal Victoria, leafletting with Cllr Steve Brayshaw. On the cycle over, I saw something I haven’t witnessed in a long time: a large-scale Traffic Police speeding and vehicle check operation. A proper, visible enforcement presence — and frankly, well done to them.

🗳️ West Ham: Canvassing with Adjoa, Sam & James Asser MP

From there I cycled to West Ham for a canvass with fellow candidates Adjoa and Sam, our activists, and James Asser MP.

Fresh from completing the nomination process at the Newham elections office, I was proudly wearing my Labour & Co‑operative Party rosette for the first time.

We were joined by two brilliant activists from Harrow who are aiming to visit all 32 London boroughs during the campaign — we were number 21 on their list. I’ll share their write‑up when it’s published.

A quick Greggs sandwich kept me going.

One highlight was speaking with a former Newham Labour Councillor and trade unionist whose Jewish family had been proud champions of the historic fight for the 8‑hour working day. A reminder of the deep roots of our movement.

🏚️ Casework: Damp and Mould

I was invited into a nearby home to see shocking damp and mould in a child’s bedroom. I’ll be making an urgent referral to L&Q — no family should be living in those conditions.

🌆 Maryland: Final Canvass with Mel, Reece & Uma Kumaran MP

The day ended in Maryland with Cllr Mel, candidate Reece, and my own MP, Uma Kumaran. We had a series of warm, constructive conversations with residents — and Uma and Mel were brilliant at stepping in to speak with people who wanted to raise specific issues.

One health worker and I had a long, thoughtful discussion about the concerns many trade unionists have regarding the Green Party’s leadership, particularly around their lack of commitment to a Just Transition for workers. It’s a conversation happening across the movement.

My final doorstep was with a housing worker — a traditional Labour voter — who simply wanted reassurance that Labour in Newham will deliver. I told him what I genuinely believe: Forhad Hussain is born and bred here, raising his family here, and has deep experience both in the Council and the private sector. He will work collectively with councillors to deliver for residents.

And I stand by that.

Newham Labour raise over £11,000 for Medical Aid for Palestinians

 

Picture from last weeks Newham Labour fund raising event (11 December) for Medical Aid Palestinians. In a packed restaurant in Stratford, all our MPs and Labour Candidate for Mayor, Forhad Hussain, came and spoke in support. 

Our guest speaker was the Political Advisor to the Palestine Ambassador, Marwan Yaghi. His family is still in Gaza.

Many thanks to all the organisers.

Newham "ACTIVATE" training & out canvassing for Labour Mayoral Candidate - Forhad Hussain

I was very pleased to be selected again as a Labour Councillor candidate for West Ham ward in Newham. Today around 60 Newham fellow candidates, attended an all day training in Forest Gate run by the Labour Activate programme. This was the first time that we had met together. It was probably one of the best political organising training courses I have been on. 

There was a nice mix of presentations, Q&As and small group work. It was very clear that the presentation team were very experienced and competent. 

After lunch there was the inevitable Group photograph with us all and our new Labour Mayoral Candidate, Forhad Hussain, local MPs Sir Stephen Timms, James Asser, Uma Kumaran and Unmesh Desai AM. Photos - no doubt will follow. 

Then Forhad gave a short, well received speech outlining who he was, why he is in politics and what he is determined to achieve for Newham if elected. 

Next we were taken out in small groups with a tutor to actually go out and practice what we had learnt. Each of the Group took turns to brief the team, on what to do when out campaigning, then each lead us for 10 minutes "running the board" (leading and directing the team and inputting feedback online via their phone). 

It got very, very wet towards the end but despite the rain it did not "put a damper on" a really positive day.  Tomorrow we finish the course with an "online session". 

Labour Conference 2025: Sunday

Conference started at 11am. I was at a UNISON delegation pre meeting at 9am were we confirmed who would speak on debates and which motions to support or oppose. First item was Conference Arrangements Committee Report, where delegates whose motions had not been accepted for debate were given the opportunity to ask for this to be reconsidered. Conference voted to accept the report.

There was also a minutes silence to remember Party members who have died during the past year. A list of names was shown on the main screens to music, which included the name of Newham Councillor, Neil Wilson. 

There was also number of good speakers including a passionate speech on the new Hillsborough Law followed by a choir singing “You’ll Never Walk Alone”.

There was also international speaker, Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, who gave a very thoughtful speech on how the Labour movement’s in both our countries had chosen Parliamentary democracy rather than protest to benefit working people. 

After Conference I went to be part of a panel for a fringe with Michael Shanks MP (Minister for Energy, Security & Net Zero), Bill Esterson MP (Chair of Energy, Security & Net Zero) and Tessa Khan (Uplift).  The panel was chaired by Sue Ferns (Prospect). I was there in my role as Vice Chair of Local Authority Pension Fund Forum. I will post later on this event. For some reason the photographs were all red!

Afterwards I joined friends and colleagues at the best social of conference, the Labour Friends of Bangladesh event and had a fantastic meal with one or two speeches.

 

Plaistow South By Election Day: Knocking up

Back at home after a long day campaigning. The result should be declared soon. A superb effort by our candidate Ash, our organiser Sarah and Agent Morris. Also a tribute to our local party activists, Council members, our MPs Uma, James and Stephen and help from other London boroughs. 

This is probably the most closely fought by election in recent years. Many residents are disillusioned with national politics, some local issues and the ongoing cost of living crisis. The turnout also appears to be low. It was interesting that the Tories and Reform were out campaigning and appeared to be more concerned with each other rather than competing with Labour. 

It was also great to go campaigning with our Newham Labour Mayoral Candidate for 2026, Forhad Hussain. 

UPDATE: Sadly Ash did not win on this occasion. He is probably the hardest working candidate I have ever worked with. Politics can be cruel at times. The national and local issues mentioned above overwhelmed us yesterday. He and Labour will be back. 

Matchgirls Strikers Exhibition at House of Commons

 

Last week on Tuesday evening I was privileged to be invited to the opening of an exhibition in the House of Commons on the 1888 Matchgirls Strike in Bow, East London. This successful strike against low pay, bullying and unsafe working practices was organised and led by working class women. 

The exhibition was organised by the Great Granddaughter (Sam Johnson) of one of the strike leaders, Sarah Chapman who is buried in Newham. 

Many thanks to my MP, Uma Kumaran (Stratford and Bow) for sponsoring the display. It was great to see Angela Rayner MP and James Asser MP also at the opening. 

I worked for many years in Bow, in a housing office directly opposite the site of the strike (the Bryant & May match making factory). 

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!). 

Workers Memorial Day 2025: Clasping hands statue in Stratford, Newham

 

Last week my UNISON branch organised the annual Workers Memorial Day event at the "Clasping Hands" statute in Three Mills Green, Bow, Newham. 

This is the site of an historic "accident" where 3 workers died, one after each other, trying to pull out another worker, who had collapsed at the bottom of a ventilation shaft from poisoned gas. 

Local MPs, Uma Kumaran and James Asser laid wreaths at the memorial together with Safety officers from Clarion and L&Q Housing Associations. Uma, James and London Assembly member, Unmesh Desai, together with others, also spoke about the importance of this day, not only in remembering those who were killed at work or died of industrial injuries but as a day to think about campaigning in the future to protect those currently at work. 

I introduced the event as UNISON Housing Associations branch chair and our branch Secretary, Joseph Ogundemuren gave closing remarks. Afterwards we gathered outside the site of the actual shaft nearby.