Newham Muslim Safety Forum

Representing Newhams' Muslim community including Mosques, organisations and individuals for a safer, better and progressive future together.

[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]

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. Marwan Elfallah @MarwanElfallah]

Well done. We will be pushing for the same in Redbridge !

[Newham Independents 💛 @NewhamIndParty]

We ran a borough wide campaign challenging Labour in every ward.

We now have 24 elected councillors.

Thank you to the people of Newham for placing their trust in us 💛

[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.

[Emma Dent Coad @emmadentcoad]

Awesome work @mmehmood73 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

[Cllr Sophia Naqvi @SophiaNaqvi1]

We will not let the far right or opportunistic politicians divide us.

Proud to call Newham home. Proud to stand for unity, respect, and the safety of every woman and girl.

Protect women, not prejudice. Support survivors, not division.

[Cllr Sophia Naqvi @SophiaNaqvi1]

Yesterday, we made history in Newham.

Our divestment motion passed. We proposed it. The Greens seconded it.

For years, residents asked for this conversation. Labour’s majority blocked it.

Now things have changed. We will keep putting residents first.

Free Palestine.

[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

[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.

[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

[Cllr Sophia Naqvi @SophiaNaqvi1]

A huge win for children in Newham.

Our motion passed with no amendments because it had one clear purpose. Put Newham’s children first.

The council has backed our call to assess and develop a plan for universal free school meals in secondary schools. A real win for Newham.

[Cllr Sophia Naqvi @SophiaNaqvi1]

I presented my first report as Chair of Overview and Scrutiny at Newham Council, and I am proud to be the first woman to hold the role.

As I said, scrutiny is not about scoring political points. It is about making sure decisions are made in the best interests of our residents.

[Mehmood Mirza @mmehmood73]

The people of Newham deserve honesty and transparency in politics.

Prior to the Annual Council Meeting, the Newham Independents and the Green Party had reached a written agreement regarding the election of civic positions and the operation of the Council. This agreement was discussed and understood by both parties.

However, minutes before the meeting, the Green Party changed its position. Despite the agreement that had been reached, Green councillors voted with and seconded Labour Party nominations for key positions, including the Vice Chair of the Council. In return, the Green Party secured the Chair of the Council position.

This decision was completely contrary to the written agreement and the assurances that had been given to us the day before the meeting.

Residents voted for change and for greater accountability at Newham Council. Many residents will rightly ask why commitments made in writing were abandoned at the last moment and why political deals took precedence over the alternative arrangements that had already been agreed.

We believe residents deserve openness about what happened and why. The Newham Independents will continue to hold the administration to account and stand up for the residents who elected us to represent their interests.

The choice is clear: we will continue to put residents first and remain a strong and independent voice for Newham.
#Newham

[Mehmood Mirza @mmehmood73]

The Labour Party has learned nothing from the election result.

Residents voted for change. They voted for accountability, transparency and a stronger opposition voice. Instead, we are seeing more of the same old politics – backroom deals, horse-trading and attempts to keep control of the Council at any cost.

The people of Newham sent a clear message at the ballot box. No single party was given a mandate to dominate the Council. Residents wanted power to be shared, decisions to be scrutinised and politicians to work openly in the public interest.

Yet what we continue to see are political manoeuvres, deals behind closed doors and positions being traded while residents expect action on housing, street cleaning, crime, parking and the cost of living.

The Newham Independents will continue to stand up for transparency, challenge the Executive when necessary, and make sure the voices of residents are heard.

The election may be over, but our job of holding those in power to account has only just begun.

#Newham #NewhamCouncil #Accountability #Transparency #NewhamIndependents