Newham Labour Left

Labour Party Activist from WestHam CLP

[Newham Independents 💛 @NewhamIndParty]

📢 A WIN FOR NEWHAM RESIDENTS — FREE BULKY WASTE COLLECTION IS COMING BACK!

I welcome the announcement that from September, Newham residents will be able to receive up to THREE free bulky waste collections per year.

For six years, I have consistently campaigned for the return of free bulky waste collections and tougher action against fly-tipping. I made this a clear pledge in my election manifesto and continued raising it when others said it would not make a difference.

At one point, I was even blocked by Newham Council’s official social media accounts while persistently tagging the Council and highlighting fly-tipping across our borough. I have faced criticism for repeatedly speaking about this issue — but I refused to give up.

So yes, I am proud to take credit for keeping this issue firmly on the agenda. But the real winners are the residents of Newham. This shows what persistent campaigning and pressure can achieve. 💪

Three free collections a year are a very welcome start, but there is still much more to do. We need tougher enforcement against those who deliberately dump waste, better education and greater community responsibility. Taking pride in where we live should be encouraged from an early age — through our schools, Madrasas, Gurdwaras, Temples, Churches and other community organisations.

We all want the same thing: cleaner, safer streets and a Newham we can be proud of.

I will keep fighting for Newham residents, and I will keep pushing for the changes our communities deserve.

Persistent campaigning delivers results. Newham residents are the winners.

#FreeBulkyWaste #CleanerNewham #StopFlyTipping #NewhamResidents #NewhamIndependents #CommunityFirst #CleanerStreets

[Cllr Sophia Naqvi @SophiaNaqvi1]

Today I attended a wonderful get-together organised by the Munshiganj-Vikrampur Samiti at East Ham Central Park. It was a pleasure meeting members of the community, enjoying the warm hospitality and spending a lovely afternoon together 💛

[Cllr Sophia Naqvi @SophiaNaqvi1]

fantastic afternoon with the Smart Project celebrating Pakistan Independence Day.

Great conversations, delicious food and a wonderful community atmosphere.

Thank you for the thoughtful gift. My morning coffee has a new favourite mug.

[Mehmood Mirza @mmehmood73]

📚 Protect Newham Bookshop – A Valued Community Asset

I have written to the Mayor and Newham Council asking them to urgently reconsider the proposed rent increase for Newham Bookshop.

The proposal would increase the annual rent from £24,000 to £31,680, with the increase applied retrospectively from September 2023, creating an immediate liability of £23,040.

Newham Bookshop has served our community for 48 years. It is far more than just a business — it supports our schools, nurseries and libraries, promotes reading, hosts author events and champions local writers.

At a time when independent businesses are already under enormous financial pressure, the Council should be supporting and protecting valued community assets, not putting their future at risk.

I am calling on the Mayor and Council to reconsider both the proposed rent increase and, particularly, the retrospective charges.

Newham should support its community institutions, not price them out.

#SaveNewhamBookshop #NewhamBookshop #SupportLocalBusinesses #SupportIndependentBookshops #Newham #CommunityMatters #ProtectCommunityAssets #ShopLocal #NewhamIndependents #NewhamCouncil #EastHam #SupportLocal #Books #Reading #OurNewham

[Mehmood Mirza @mmehmood73]

Today we had a fantastic litter picking session in Boleyn Ward alongside my fellow councillors and dedicated volunteers from the Newham Independence Party.

Keeping our streets clean is a shared responsibility. By working together, we can raise awareness, encourage everyone to dispose of waste responsibly, and educate our children about taking pride in the place we all call home.

I would also like to thank the hardworking Newham Council cleansing teams, who work tirelessly every day to keep our borough clean. Your efforts are appreciated.

A big thank you to all the volunteers and councillors who gave up their time today to make a positive difference. Small actions, when taken together, create lasting change.

Let’s continue working together for a cleaner, greener and prouder Newham.

#BoleynWard #Newham #CommunityAction #LitterPicking #KeepNewhamClean #NewhamIndependents #WorkingTogether

[Mehmood Mirza @mmehmood73]

Late-night action to understand why fly-tipping is happening under the cover of darkness.

The reality is simple: we need to make it easier for residents to dispose of bulky waste legally. Charging £30 for bulky waste collection creates a barrier for many families. Not everyone can afford the fee, and not everyone has access to a vehicle to take unwanted items to the recycling centre.

If we are serious about keeping Newham clean, we need to bring back free bulky waste collection alongside stronger enforcement against those who deliberately dump rubbish.

Education is equally important. We must raise awareness about environmental crime, the damage fly-tipping causes to our neighbourhoods, and the cost it places on taxpayers. Cleaner streets require a combination of practical support, public education, and firm action against offenders.

Together, we can build a cleaner, safer, and greener Newham

#Newham
#flytipping
#newhamindependents

[Newham Independents 💛 @NewhamIndParty]

At 34°C, while many are seeking shelter from the heat, Newham Independents are out in our communities making a difference.

Today, our councillors and volunteers have been distributing free bottles of water to residents, bus drivers, taxi and car drivers, delivery workers, frontline staff, and people returning home from work, helping them stay hydrated and safe during this heatwave.

Community service isn’t just about making promises—it’s about being present when people need you most.

The appreciation and encouragement we’ve received from residents throughout the day has been overwhelming. Thank you to everyone who stopped to chat, accepted a bottle of water, and supported this initiative.

We will continue to stand with our community, especially during challenging weather, because looking after one another is what Newham is all about.

Stay hydrated. Stay safe. Stay cool.

#NewhamIndependents #CommunityFirst #Heatwave #Newham #ServingOurCommunity #StayHydrated #WorkingForResidents

[Newham Independents 💛 @NewhamIndParty]

Labour has learned no lessons from the 2026 elections.

Residents voted to end one-party control, yet Labour continues to use top-down, centralised decision-making.

Despite no longer holding an overall majority on the Council, the Labour administration is attempting to extend its control across every part of the borough by appointing Community Neighbourhood Lead Councillors, including in areas where residents elected opposition councillors.

That is not how democracy works.

Communities deserve leadership that reflects the democratic mandate of local residents, not appointments imposed through executive powers. Strong local democracy is built on consultation, transparency, and respect for election results—not political control.

Newham residents voted for change. That democratic choice should be respected.

#Newham #Democracy #LocalGovernment #CommunityLeadership #NewhamIndependents #StandUpForDemocracy

[Newham Independents 💛 @NewhamIndParty]

Statement from the Newham Independents Party

Today we are publishing our official position on the Mayor’s proposed Community Neighbourhood arrangements.

We support genuine neighbourhood working, stronger community engagement, and bringing decision-making closer to local communities. However, any new governance model must be democratic, transparent, and respect the mandate given by Newham residents at the ballot box.

Our decision not to participate in the current arrangements is based on principle, not politics. We cannot support a process that has been introduced without meaningful cross-party consultation, proper constitutional scrutiny, or respect for the democratic choices made by residents.

This is not a boycott of residents. We will continue to represent our communities, fight for local people, and hold the administration to account through the Council’s democratic and constitutional processes.

We remain ready to work constructively with all political groups to deliver a neighbourhood model that is fair, inclusive, and reflects the will of the people of Newham.

Please read our full statement below.

#NewhamIndependents #Newham #Democracy #CommunityNeighbourhoods #Transparency #Accountability #ResidentsFirst #LocalDemocracy #WorkingForNewham

[Newham Independents 💛 @NewhamIndParty]

Newham Independents categorically reject Labour’s neighbourhood model.

The people of Newham voted for change. They elected councillors from different political parties to represent their communities. Labour’s attempt to place its own councillors in leadership roles over neighbourhoods where residents chose other representatives shows a disregard for the democratic mandate delivered at the ballot box.

This is not partnership. It is political control by another name.

We will oppose these proposals through every legitimate democratic and constitutional avenue available. The Newham Independents will not participate in a process that, in our view, undermines local democracy and ignores the clear message voters sent in the 2026 elections.

Democracy means respecting the people’s choice—not finding new ways to override it.
#Newham

[Newham Independents 💛 @NewhamIndParty]

The people of Newham voted for change, not more one-party control.

Labour no longer has a majority, yet all eight Community Neighbourhood Lead Councillors have been appointed from the Labour Party without meaningful consultation or proper scrutiny.

This isn’t about party politics—it’s about democracy, fairness and transparency.

In this video, I explain why the Newham Independents are challenging this process and calling for a neighbourhood model that reflects the democratic mandate of Newham residents.

#Newham #Democracy #Transparency #Accountability #NewhamIndependents #ResidentsFirst

[Newham Independents 💛 @NewhamIndParty]

Labour Cannot Ignore the Democratic Mandate

The people of Newham voted for change. They voted to end one-party dominance and elected a Council where Labour no longer holds the majority.

Yet the Mayor has appointed all eight Community Neighbourhood Lead Councillors from the Labour Party, without meaningful consultation with the majority of elected councillors and before proper scrutiny or governance arrangements have been approved.

This is not about opposing neighbourhood working. The Newham Independents support bringing decision-making closer to residents. But it must be done fairly, transparently and democratically.

When implementation comes before scrutiny, and appointments come before consultation, democracy is being turned on its head.

There are now even more serious questions after one of the appointed Lead Councillors had the Labour whip withdrawn following criminal charges being brought against him. Everyone is entitled to the presumption of innocence, and the matter is now before the courts. However, residents deserve transparency about what this means for the appointment and the Community Neighbourhood structure.

In my video, I explain why the Newham Independents are challenging this process and why we are calling for the Mayor to pause the rollout, meet with all political groups, and agree a model that truly reflects the democratic mandate given by the people of Newham.

🎥 Watch the full video and let me know your views.

#Newham #Democracy #Accountability #Transparency #CommunityLeadership #GoodGovernance #NewhamIndependents #LocalGovernment #ResidentsFirst #Politics

[Cllr Sophia Naqvi @SophiaNaqvi1]

Mayor Forhad Hussain seems to have forgotten that the motion to extend free school meals to secondary schools was my motion behalf of NIP, a motion he chose to abstain on.

Now he is taking credit. Funny how memories return when it suits. Better luck rewriting history next time.

[Mehmood Mirza @mmehmood73]

HISTORIC VICTORY FOR NEWHAM! 🇵🇸✊

History has been made.

On Monday night, Newham Council passed the Ethical Investment and Divestment from Human Rights Violations motion, proposed by the Newham Independents. This marks a significant step towards ensuring that Newham’s pension fund is aligned with ethical investment principles and respect for international human rights.

This victory belongs to the people.

Thank you to the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, trade unions, community activists, human rights campaigners, and the thousands of Newham residents who stood together, campaigned tirelessly, signed petitions, attended council meetings, and never gave up.

Together, we have shown that people power can bring about real change.

Newham has sent a clear message: our pension fund should not be invested in companies linked to war, occupation, or human rights abuses.

The Newham Independents are proud to have led this campaign, but this achievement belongs to everyone who believes in justice, international law, and human rights.

We stand with the people of Gaza.
We stand with the people of Palestine.
We stand for justice, peace, and human dignity.

History has been made.

#NewhamIndependents #Newham #Palestine #Gaza #HumanRights #EthicalInvestment #Divestment #Justice #Solidarity #PeoplePower

[Newham Independents 💛 @NewhamIndParty]

The Mayor seems to be running out of ideas and is increasingly adopting policies that Newham Independents put forward in our manifesto.

When these proposals came before Full Council, Labour and the Mayor voted against them. They even attempted to weaken them with amendments that would have made them non-binding. Those amendments were rejected, yet Labour still opposed the motion.

Now, the very next day, the Mayor is announcing similar proposals as his own.

If our policies are being implemented for the benefit of Newham residents, we welcome that. Residents deserve good ideas, regardless of where they come from. But the public also deserve honesty about who proposed them and who voted against them.

Opposition works. We will continue holding the administration to account and pushing for the policies Newham residents voted for.

Well done to Cllr Sophia Naqvi and Cllr Mohammed Majeed for their hard work and determination.

[Newham Independents 💛 @NewhamIndParty]

A Historic Victory for Human Rights in Newham

Last night, after prolonged struggle we managed to get Newham Full Council passed the Ethical Investment and Divestment from Human Rights Violations motion, proposed by Cllr Mehmood Mirza, Leader of the Newham Independents Party.

This is a landmark victory for everyone who believes in human rights, justice and ethical investment.

This achievement belongs to the people of Newham, the Newham Palestine Solidarity Campaign, trade union activists, community organisations and every resident who has campaigned tirelessly over the past two and a half years. Through protests, petitions, emails and unwavering determination, you have shown the power of collective action.

We also extend our sincere thanks to the Green Party councillors for supporting this motion and standing with those calling for ethical investment.

This decision sends a powerful message that Newham will continue to uphold the principles of human rights, international law and accountability. It demonstrates that when communities come together, they can bring about meaningful change.

This is your victory.

Thank you to everyone who stood with us, campaigned with us and never gave up. Together, we have made history.

#Palestine
#NewhamIndependents

[Owen Jones @owenjonesjourno]

This is infuriating crap.

He says:

“There's increasing evidence that war crimes appear to have been committed.”

He knows Israel has committed war crimes on an industrial scale.

He’s refusing to say so because it would impose legal obligations on him to actually act.

[Cllr Sophia Naqvi @SophiaNaqvi1]

Councillors for Plaistow North and Green Street West giving out water to the residents in the hot heat.

[Cllr Sophia Naqvi @SophiaNaqvi1]

Thank you, Imra’a, for including me in such a meaningful conversation on supporting survivors of domestic abuse and violence, and strengthening collaboration across communities.