Battle Lines Drawn: Fiaz vs Hussain – The LTN War That’s Tearing Newham Labour Apart
Labour Mayoral Candidate, Forhad Hussain and Labour Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz
If you thought Newham Labour couldn’t get any messier, buckle up. The latest chapter in the long-running saga of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods has turned into an all out political street fight between outgoing Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz and incoming mayoral hopeful Forhad Hussain and insiders tell us it’s getting spicy.
Fiaz and the Forest Gate Wokearati Strike Again.
Like clockwork, Mayor Fiaz has once again planted her flag firmly in the camp of Newham’s middle-class, Waitrose bag carrying Guardian readers the Forest Gate crew who believe LTN’s are the answer to every problem from air pollution to existential dread.
They want the long disputed Forest Gate LTN pushed through yesterday, despite years of backlash from ordinary residents who just want to park their cars without feeling like they’re navigating the Hunger Games.
Long time readers will remember that LTN’s along with parking restrictions have always been one of the most explosive issues in this borough. Entire community groups were formed in revolt. Newham People Power launched specifically to push back against Fiaz’s traffic calming crusades.
And now? The battlefield has shifted to Labour Group.
Enter Stage Left: Forhad Hussain
Sources close to the scene tell us that Forhad Hussain has made a decisive break from the Fiaz era. Under his leadership, Newham Labour will apparently stop waging war on motorists and start doing something pretty radical for this borough.
Let local people decide.
In other words consultation that actually means something. Policies shaped by residents, not imposed on them. Streets designed around how families really live, not how activists on Twitter think they should.
Honestly? This sounds like common sense to us.
But not everyone is thrilled.
Cllr Blossom Young and Cllr John Morris. Leaders of the White Caucas.
Cold Sick in the Fiaz Camp
Our sources say this shift has gone down “like a bucket of cold sick” among the Fiaz faithful. We’re told that Blossom Young, John Morris, Sarah Ruiz, and Rachel Tripp were leading the charge against Hussain’s “let people choose” approach clinging to the Fiaz playbook even as the political sands shift beneath their feet.
The divide inside Labour is now impossible to ignore.
A Labour Group Split in Two
In past years, the so called Black Caucus and Bengali Caucus were often blamed for blocking Fiaz’s more controversial ideas around parking and many other issues. Not anymore. In a dramatic reversal, these groups appear to have moved in behind Hussain’s leadership.
Meanwhile, the Middle Class White Caucus smaller in number but very loud online. remains firmly in Fiaz’s corner.
Oh, how the tables have turned.
Newham Labour never fails to entertain.
The Vote That Broke the Peace, Back to the LTNs.
A motion landed at Labour Group this week from two of Hussain’s key allies John Gray and Steve Brayshaw. Their proposal was simple:
Pause all LTNs until after the election and run fresh, fair consultations. Fiaz and her inner circle opposed it but the wider Labour Group had other ideas.
According to insiders, Fiaz and her loyalists were roundly defeated, a major blow to the outgoing Mayor and the white caucus backing her.
What this means is the cracks in Newham Labour aren’t cracks anymore they’re canyons.
Hussain’s supporters are emboldened, Fiaz’s influence is fading and the Forest Gate LTN has become the symbol of a much deeper ideological struggle inside the party.
As ever, we’ll be keeping a close eye on the drama.
One thing’s certain, Newham Labour’s internal battles show no sign of slowing down and voters will have a front-row seat as the cycle (quite literally) continues.