Labour Bets on British-Bangladeshi Candidates for London Mayoral Races

The Labour Party is making a calculated move in the upcoming mayoral elections, fielding British-Bangladeshi candidates in Tower Hamlets and Newham – two London boroughs with substantial Bangladeshi populations. Councillor Sirajul Islam has been chosen for Tower Hamlets, while Forhad Hossain is Labour's nominee for Newham. This strategy aims to secure the critical Bangladeshi vote, though local observers note that Labour faces challenges in grassroots community engagement despite the candidates' party activism, Daily Dazzling Dawn understands. The widespread public anger due to Labour's failures on various national issues could be a significant factor in this election, drawing independent voters. The Palestine issue will also be a major influencer.Both boroughs are characterized by the presence of multiple internal currents within the Labour Party, alongside unexpressed conflicts. Whether Jeremy Corbyn's party will put forward or back a mayoral candidate in these two boroughs is also something to observe.

Tower Hamlets: A Veteran's Challenge to the Incumbent

In Tower Hamlets, the contest promises to be intense. Labour's Sirajul Islam, a long-serving councillor with a clean political record, is set to challenge the incumbent Mayor, Lutfur Rahman. Rahman, also of Bangladeshi heritage, remains a controversial yet immensely popular figure, leading the Aspire Party. Whether Sirajul Islam can effectively rally support to unseat Rahman will be a key storyline. Political observers foresee pre-election drama, including the potential for last-minute independent candidates and the influence of Green and Liberal Democrat votes on the final outcome. Voters are also keenly watching for any new governmental interventions within the council.The reality is, in this borough, no one has been a bigger player in electoral politics than Lutfur Rahman in the last few elections.Rahman's supporters have started a strategic campaign, claiming this is his last election, in an effort to garner extra sympathy.

Labour activists believe Sirajul Islam's Bangladeshi background could provide an edge. However, Rahman's strength lies in his significant personal vote bank within both the Bangladeshi and Somali communities. Rahman was re-elected in 2022, securing a notable victory over Labour, a testament to his enduring appeal despite a past electoral disqualification. His earlier mayoral wins, including 2010 and the annulled 2014 result, consistently showed his strong electoral performance.

A significant factor for Sirajul Islam will be his ability to unify and harness the support of those who were once close to Lutfur Rahman but have since distanced themselves. The level of collaboration among anti-Rahman forces will be crucial.

Tower Hamlets Mayoral Election Snapshots:

 2022: Lutfur Rahman (Aspire) defeated Labour's John Biggs. 2018: John Biggs (Labour) secured the mayoralty. 2015 By-election (following 2014 annulment): John Biggs (Labour) won.

Newham: A Young Engineer's Bid to Reinvigorate Labour

In Newham, Labour has seen its popularity wane after a long period in power, particularly under the former Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz. Public dissatisfaction has grown due to various policy issues and a perceived disconnect. However, Newham currently lacks an opposition candidate with the personal gravitas of Tower Hamlets' Lutfur Rahman to pose a direct, individual challenge to Labour's historical dominance.

Newham is home to a very large Bangladeshi voter population.Newham is a safe Labour voting bank, so Labour's chances of winning are high. This creates a strong possibility that, for the first time outside of Tower Hamlets, London could see a Bangladeshi-origin mayor in Newham.

Former Councillor Forhad Hossain, Labour's young, bright, and engineer-trained nominee, aims to leverage this demographic to become Newham's first British-Bangladeshi mayor. Hossain's nomination comes as former Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz recently announced she would not seek re-election in May 2026, marking a significant transition for Newham Labour. Fiaz, who served as Mayor from 2018, faced challenges during her tenure despite initiatives to address poverty and housing. Hossain's campaign will now be pivotal in rebuilding trust and re-engaging with the electorate.

Newham Mayoral Election Snapshots:

 2022: Rokhsana Fiaz (Labour) won, but signs of growing public dissatisfaction were evident.2018: Rokhsana Fiaz (Labour) secured a dominant victory. 2014: Robin Wales (Labour) maintained Labour's strong hold onthe mayoral office.