Labour’s “Big Ideas” Or a Return to the Past?
Newham Labour Mayoral Candidate - Forhad Hussain and Cllr John Gray
Sources have provided Open Newham with photos of what appears to be an early glimpse of the thinking behind the forthcoming Newham Labour manifesto for the 2026 local elections.
According to individuals present, a meeting of Labour candidates and senior figures took place on 28 February 2026 at the Trinity Centre, beginning promptly at 9am. The session was reportedly convened to gather feedback from candidates on policy proposals being developed by Labour’s mayoral candidate, Forhad Hussain, and his campaign team.
Those attending were presented with what was described as the “Big Ideas” manifesto.
A Manifesto Looking Backwards?
The presentation materials shown to candidates emphasised a series of broad themes: welcoming diversity, building community, area-based decision making, incremental growth, and a greater use of data and performance management to improve council services.
Candidates were told the session was an opportunity to provide feedback on the draft manifesto, suggest improvements and propose additional policies before the document is finalised.
However, several attendees who later spoke to OpenNewham offered a rather striking characterisation of what they had seen.
One source described the draft as “a back-to-the-future manifesto.”
Another attendee put it more bluntly:
“It felt like being picked up and dropped straight back into Newham Labour’s programme from around 2016.”
The irony, of course, is that many residents might view such a comparison as a compliment rather than a criticism.
If you were to ask residents whether they would like Newham to return to the borough many remember from around 2016, the answer in some quarters would likely be a resounding yes.
That period saw policies that remain popular in local political memory:
* Frozen council tax
* Free first parking permits for residents
* Universal free school meals
* The Every Child programme, which provided every child with a musical instrument funded by the council
At the time, the borough also hosted a vibrant cultural programme. Residents enjoyed events such as the Mayor’s Show and a three-day festival known as “Under the Stars.”
Those who attended often point out that if such a festival were privately organised, tickets could easily have cost £40 to £60 per person. Instead, it was provided free to residents.
Importantly, supporters of that era argue that these initiatives were delivered while council reserves remained strong and investment income flowed from prudent financial management.
A Different Mood in 2026
Which brings us back to the present, If the draft manifesto truly represents a shift toward those earlier policies and priorities then reactions inside Labour may be mixed.
Supporters of the current administration under Rokhsana Fiaz and its policy direction may well find the document underwhelming.
Others, however, may see it as something rather different. Not radical. Not revolutionary, simply a return to what they view as normality and stability in the borough’s governance.
Manifesto Still in Flux
It is important to note that the document discussed at the Trinity Centre meeting was not the final manifesto.
Candidates were explicitly invited to submit feedback, suggest amendments and raise concerns before publication.
That means what eventually emerges as Labour’s official programme could look somewhat different from the draft seen by attendees.
For now, however, the early signs suggest something unexpected in the current political climate, not a bold leap forward. But possibly a step back to a version of Newham politics that many residents still remember and some still miss.
Open Newham will continue to monitor developments and report on any changes between this early draft and the final manifesto when it is formally released.