Newham residents get new mayor after Labour win

Labour’s Forhad Hussain has been elected Mayor of Newham, becoming the borough’s first new mayor in eight years and taking on a four-year mandate to lead one of east London’s largest local authorities.

Hussain secured 25,538 votes in the mayoral contest, according to Newham Council, and will formally take up the role on Tuesday. He succeeds Labour’s Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, who served two full terms as mayor.

The result gives Labour control of the mayoralty, but the wider council chamber will be more politically mixed after the local election results returned 26 Labour councillors, 24 Newham Independents councillors and 16 Green councillors.

Hussain takes over after eight years under Rokhsana Fiaz

Hussain’s election brings a change at the top of Newham Council after two mayoral terms under Fiaz. The mayor is directly elected and holds a central leadership role in setting the borough’s political direction, forming an executive cabinet and overseeing major local decisions.

In a statement after the result, Hussain said the election mattered because residents deserved a choice and democracy depended on people being willing to serve.

“I start work next week with energy and determination to deliver for every part of the borough,” he said. “This is the beginning of a new chapter for the borough. Together we will build a Newham where every resident will be proud to call home.”

He added that it was “the honour of my life” to be elected mayor of the borough that made him.

Vote result and council balance

The mayoral result gives Hussain a personal mandate, while the council seat totals point to a more competitive local political landscape than Newham has often seen in recent years.

The final seat balance means Hussain will begin his term with Labour as the largest group, but with strong representation from Newham Independents and the Greens across several wards.

Newham Independents won seats in areas including Boleyn, East Ham, Green Street East, Green Street West, Little Ilford, Plaistow South and Wall End. The Green Party also made gains across wards including Stratford, Stratford Olympic Park, Royal Victoria, Forest Gate South and Maryland.

For readers following the count as it unfolded, hiyastar.co.uk previously reported on the Newham election count and turnout, with final turnout reaching 34.9%.

Former Plaistow North councillor returns to borough leadership

Hussain has previous experience inside Newham Council. He served as a Labour councillor for Plaistow North from 2010 to 2018 and held senior cabinet responsibilities during that period.

His former roles included Cabinet Member for Commercial Opportunities and later Cabinet Member for Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour. That background places him back inside the council’s executive leadership after several years away from elected office.

The new mayor will now be expected to set out the executive team that will help shape policy delivery across housing, neighbourhood services, community safety, local economy, transport, environment and other borough responsibilities.

A more contested chamber for the next mayoral term

Newham has long been viewed as a Labour stronghold, but the latest council totals show a borough where opposition parties and independents will have a larger role in local scrutiny and ward-level representation.

The Newham Independents Party finished close behind Labour in the seat count, while the Greens won 16 seats, giving them a significant presence in the chamber. That balance may affect how local debates are framed, even where mayoral powers remain central to decision-making.

Hussain will take office at a point when residents are likely to judge the new administration on visible local services: street cleanliness, housing pressures, anti-social behaviour, council responsiveness, and the condition of town centres and neighbourhoods.

Cabinet decisions come next

Hussain will formally take up office on Tuesday and will be asked to form an executive cabinet. That cabinet will lead on major council decisions and is expected to set the early tone for the administration’s priorities.

The first weeks of the new mayoralty are likely to centre on appointments, portfolio responsibilities and the new administration’s immediate work programme for the borough.

Source: Newham Council