Newham Voices is giving local voters an exclusive opportunity to question political candidates before two crucial Newham Council by-elections to be held on July 13.

Newham Vote: Your chance to quiz. candidates in Boleyn and Wall End.
Newham Voices is holding a hustings for candidates in the two local by-elections
Saturday 8 July | 10:30
East Ham Library cafe.
Refreshments will be provided

A meeting of all the candidates standing for election in the Boleyn and Wall End wards will be held at East Ham library on Saturday July 10 at 10.30am.

The vacancies arise following the resignations of Labour’s Luke Charters and Cecilia Welsh. Cecilia has resigned for family reasons and Luke has decided to quit to focus on his campaign for election to parliament in York in advance of the general election expected within the coming year.

By-elections are inevitably a mix of local concerns such as pollution, fly-tipping and transport as well as wider national issues including increasing poverty, the homes crisis, and the health service.

With a national election due next year, these Newham votes will test the credibility of all political players. Candidates from Labour, Green, Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Reform parties and one independent will face a grilling from residents on how they will deal with the challenges facing local people.

We are looking for a lively and robust debate, and we will make sure that there is none of the ugly hate-speech which arose in some campaigning for elections to the council last year.

Political parties need to give leadership in this campaign by showing respect for democratic values and avoiding any hateful targeting of their opponents – even where they disagree strongly.

These elections will also be historic – the first elections in Newham where voters will have to show photographic ID when they get to the polling station. If people don’t have one, they can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate. The deadline to apply for Voter Authority Certificate is 5pm, Wednesday 5 July 2023.

How to apply and more information on acceptable forms of voter ID is available on the council website: www.newham.gov.uk/council/elections-coming

Newham Voices is providing a golden opportunity for local democracy. Come and have your say.

Read the candidate’s statements here.

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