Newham Inclusion Report Pre-Elections Newham 2026

Key Points

• Newham, an east London borough with a population exceeding 350,000, faces pivotal local elections on 7 May 2026, potentially ending decades of Labour dominance.
• The Newham Independents, Labour’s main challenger, have won three out of eight by-elections since 2022, including recent victories in Plaistow South (Md Nazrul Islam with 44.3% in September 2025) and Plaistow North (Sophia Naqvi in 2023).
• Newham Independents’ membership and candidates are predominantly Muslim, raising questions about governance in a multi-ethnic borough where the 2021 Census shows 32-40% Muslim, slightly fewer Christian, 14.5% no religion, 8.8% Hindu, and others.
• British Future think tank published “Bringing People Together in a Place of Change” in March 2026, reporting findings from the Independent Commission on Inclusion and Belonging in Multi-ethnic Newham, chaired by director Sunder Katwala.
• The report, backed by outgoing Mayor Rokshana Fiaz (standing down in May 2026), highlights Newham’s diversity as a strength but calls for a council-led shared vision for inclusion and a 2026-2030 action strategy.
• Sunder Katwala, in the foreword, describes Newham as “at the heart of the central challenge of our times: how do we handle diversity and immigration fairly, respect our differences and work on what brings people together in our changing society?”
• Commission findings from 469 residents and 62 organisations show pride in diversity but needs for community events, protecting libraries/youth clubs, tackling litter/fly-tipping, English/digital skills, and addressing polarisation from global conflicts.
• Eleven key recommendations include council vision/strategy, welcome packs for new residents, changemakers network, inclusive employer guide, and annual East Bank summer festival.
• True London Podcast episode features Dave Hill interviewing Sunder Katwala on the report, amid “culture war” context and Newham Independents’ rise.
• Newham’s fast-churn population (30.7% churn rate) and institutions like BBC, Olympic Park, V&A East, West Ham United offer opportunities for belonging if better connected.

Newham (East London Times) April 6, 2026 – As borough elections loom on 7 May 2026, a new report from British Future think tank urges Newham Council to lead on inclusion and belonging amid rising challenges from the Newham Independents’ electoral gains and the borough’s super-diverse population. Sunder Katwala, director of British Future and chair of the Independent Commission on Inclusion and Belonging in Multi-ethnic Newham, discussed the findings in the latest True London Podcast hosted by Dave Hill of OnLondon.co.uk, emphasising the need for a shared vision to unite over 350,000 residents.

The report, “Bringing People Together in a Place of Change”, published last month and backed by current Mayor Rokshana Fiaz who is standing down, paints a positive picture of diversity’s benefits while highlighting gaps in community cohesion.

What Political Context Shapes Newham’s Elections?

Newham has been under Labour control since its creation, except briefly from 1968 to 1971, with Labour securing 64 of 66 seats in 2022. As reported by Dave Hill of OnLondon.co.uk in the True London Podcast article, Labour’s principal challenger, the Newham Independents, has beaten Labour in three out of eight by-elections since 2022, mounting a campaign for the mayoralty and council majority.

Specific wins include Plaistow North by Sophia Naqvi in 2023 and Plaistow South by Md Nazrul Islam with 913 votes (44.3%) against Labour’s Asheem Singh’s 436 (21.2%) in September 2025, as detailed by Newham Citizen.

Dave Hill notes the Newham Independents’ membership and candidates appear “almost entirely Muslim”, significant in a borough where Muslims form about a third per the 2021 Census, slightly fewer than Christians, with 14.5% no religion.

He questions implications for a multi-ethnic, multi-faith population if such a party rooted in one minority faith community takes power, stressing any administration must serve all residents visibly, especially amid “culture wars” and anti-Muslim hostility. The Green Party also eyes gains from Labour disillusionment nationally and locally.

Main mayoral contenders include Cllr Mehmood Mirza and Forhad Hussain, per Open Newham. Elections coincide with other London borough polls, potentially reshaping the map dramatically.

Who Leads the Inclusion Commission and What Is Its Backing?

The Independent Commission, established by Mayor Rokshana Fiaz, was chaired by Sunder Katwala of British Future. Commissioners include Mavis Amankwah BEM (entrepreneur), Jacqui Broadhead (Global Exchange on Diversity and Migration), Radhika Bynon (Impact on Urban Health), Jeremy Crook OBE (Action for Race Equality), Darren Sharpe (University of East London), Jared Shurin (communications), and residents Fahmida Nidhi and Asha Mailapalli.

In his foreword, as quoted by Dave Hill in True London Podcast coverage, Katwala positions Newham as

“at the heart of the central challenge of our times”,

posing:

“how do we handle diversity and immigration fairly, respect our differences and work on what brings people together in our changing society?”

The report, authored by Jake Puddle, Saffron Powell, and Louisa Long of British Future, draws from 469 residents via focus groups/surveys and 62 organisations.

What Did the Commission Hear from Newham Residents?

Residents view diversity positively as “normal” and an asset, with pride in multicultural businesses and comfort for minorities not “standing out”, per focus groups. A survey of 365 showed 81% London belonging, 59% neighbourhood, 56% Newham.

Most (63%) see cohesion but want more mixing beyond “sticking to our own”; praise for libraries, youth clubs, community centres as neutral spaces.

Challenges include fast churn (30.7%), litter/fly-tipping, anti-social behaviour, English/digital exclusion for newcomers, and tensions from global events like Palestine-Israel or far-right marches. Institutions like East Bank, V&A East, West Ham need better local ties; heritage like Modern Cockney Festival underused. East London Times reports the commission warns inequalities risk undermining cohesion without action.

Why Does Newham Need a Shared Vision for Inclusion?

The report stresses proactive effort in “diverse diversity” with transient population, calling for council-led 2026-2030 strategy convening business, education, faith, arts, police. British Future’s site states Newham can lead nationally by embedding inclusion across services, not as standalone. Priorities: invitations to connect, pride-building, welcoming arrivals, neighbourliness via Love Newham/Neighbourhood Watch, employer action.

What Are the Commission’s Key Recommendations?

The 11 recommendations, detailed in the report, include:

• Council vision/strategy to 2030.
• Protect libraries/youth clubs, stable community funding, social value from developments.
• Welcome packs for new residents post-Council Tax, adapted by businesses/universities.
• Prioritise ESOL/digital skills.
• Anti-polarisation plan: conflict training, councillor anti-extremism pact, refreshed faith networks.
• Changemakers network for leaders.
• Five-step inclusive employer guide with Newham Chamber, for awards/tenders (e.g., Living Wage, EDI strategy, pay gap plans).
• London alliances on immigration/asylum, hate crime, policing.
• Monthly volunteering days for Love Newham etc.
• Year-round heritage celebration in schools/libraries.
• Events calendar: East Bank summer festival, seasonal activities, seed funding.

How Does the True London Podcast Fit In?

Dave Hill’s 20-minute interview with Katwala covers report details like events and litter, linking to elections and culture wars. Available on Acast, it underscores onus on potential Newham Independents-led council. British Future urges protecting neutral spaces amid budgets.