Forhad Hussain topped the borough-wide poll, overcoming a strong challenge from the Newham Independent candidate, reports Daisy Miles

Forhard Hussain (credit Newham Council) — Forhard Hussain speaks after his win (credit Newham Council)

Forhad Hussain of the Labour Party has been elected as Mayor of Newham following a close contest between Labour, the Greens and Newham Independents.

Hussain will succeed Rokhsana Fiaz of the Labour Party, who has been Mayor of Newham since 2018 and announced her intention to step down in August.

They won 30.4 per cent of the vote share with 25,538 votes, compared to the Newham Independents’ 20,234 votes (24.1 per cent).

The Greens were third, with 18,999 votes.

Labour were down by 10,158 votes, while Mirza increased his votes by 14,865 votes from his last campaign as Mayor in 2022.

Turnout was 34.9 per cent, which is up from the 2022 mayoral election turnout of 28 per cent.

“I will start work next week with energy, humility and determination to deliver for every part of our borough,” Hussain said in his victory speech.

Anticipating a close call across the Newham Council elections, he said: “We may not always agree, but we all have a responsibility to make Newham cleaner, safer, fairer, and full of opportunities.”

“Today is not the end of a campaign,” he continued.

“It is the beginning of a new chapter for our borough. And together, we will build a Newham that every resident can be proud of to call home.”

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