In the 2024 general election Reform took roughly 5000 votes across the three constituencies. They didn’t stand a candidate in the 2022 mayoral election and only stood two candidates for council, in Custom House and Wall End taking 93 and 103 votes respectively with very little evidence of any campaigning.

He was one of a number of young Muslims who left Labour in the wake of the 2003 Iraq invasion and joined the Respect Party.

In terms of his personality, if elected he will breathe fresh air into the fourth floor. Hussain, however is viewed as likeable, intelligent and willing to listen.

The news Newham has been waiting for is finally here: Forhad Hussain has been chosen as Labour’s candidate for the 2026 mayoral election.

It seems that sitting Labour councillors have been told that if they want to stand as candidates at the next election they had better agree to the payout. What secrets are so bad that they’re worth £239,000? 

If Newham Labour councillors vote this through on Thursday, they may well be voting to hand over 5 or 6 more council seats to opposition parties — and potentially the Mayoralty itself — in 2026.

We could be seeing Mayor Mehmood Mirza in May 2026, if Labour councillors vote “Yes” on Thursday.

Having announced to the Labour Group that the decision about the mayoral candidate would be shared on July 5th , we discover that Labour are behind schedule again.

Some Labour councillors may think they will be shielded by the exclusion of press and public however they should remember that Open Newham told you first about the Mayor suing her own council, we told you first about Rachel McKoy leaving and lastly we told you first about Abi Gbabgo departing the council. You can rest assured that we will keep you informed of the outcome of any vote next Thursday and leave you to cast your judgment on those we all elect. 

When Rokhsana Fiaz became Mayor of Newham in May 2018, she promised transparency, accountability, and real change.

Now, after seven years, much of that promise has collapsed under a wave of mismanagement and scandal.

Will Fiaz be given another go at leading the borough, or is this conference a curtain call of sorts? Her active “hunting” for “opportunities,” as one insider put it, is a phrase that seems to mask a broader truth — that even she knows the writing may be on the wall.

Fiaz once rode a wave of momentum and meme magic to the Town Hall.

Now, as Labour prepares to select its candidate for the May 2026 elections, it seems she’s the punchline in someone else’s campaign.

“Is there anything in your past that you know of which would bring the Labour Party into disrepute?”

For most councillors, this is a moment for brief reflection, perhaps a chuckle over an ancient student union speech. For one councillor, however, this question may hit a little differently. Step forward Cllr Simon Rush.

“At the End of the Day…”  The Man Who Turned The Council Into A Slum Landlord.

Having voted in favour of every major decision made by Mayor Fiaz, and having sat loyally by her side through one calamity after another.

McLean now wants to lead the borough. How exactly she plans to distance herself from the wreckage of the Fiaz era is anyone’s guess?

This young woman took to Tik-Tok to vent her annoyance with Newham Council and the mayor in particular using very colourful language.

The renovation of Queens Market is a case in point for the malaise of the Fiaz administration.

Fast-forward to 2025, and under Ali’s watch, Newham has gone cap-in-hand to the government for “exceptional financial support.” A polite euphemism for near-bankruptcy.

Now, as the borough teeters on the edge, Ali believes he should be given even more responsibility—as Mayor.

Labour, mayoral hopefuls have until 5pm on Monday 30th June to submit their applications.

The local CLPs remain suspended so the decision will be taken by party officers.

Abi Gbago, the Council’s Chief Executive, could soon be the former Chief Executive.

Sources familiar with the situation have indicated that Gbago could be in line for a substantial financial payoff.

A Picture Paints A Thousand Words. Change at the top incoming!

Rachel McKoy, the council’s Monitoring Officer, has reportedly submitted her notice and is expected to leave her post around a year after her appointment in September 2024.

Her exit comes hot on the heels of a string of other senior departures from the council.

The allegations asserted that a drunken Patel, an Indian Hindu, had abused a Muslim shopkeeper and sought to extort money from the shop keeper.

During the course of this interaction, Patel was alleged to have expressed anti-Muslim sentiments.