Will Fiaz be given another go at leading the borough, or is this conference a curtain call of sorts? Her active “hunting” for “opportunities,” as one insider put it, is a phrase that seems to mask a broader truth — that even she knows the writing may be on the wall.

Fiaz once rode a wave of momentum and meme magic to the Town Hall.

Now, as Labour prepares to select its candidate for the May 2026 elections, it seems she’s the punchline in someone else’s campaign.

“Is there anything in your past that you know of which would bring the Labour Party into disrepute?”

For most councillors, this is a moment for brief reflection, perhaps a chuckle over an ancient student union speech. For one councillor, however, this question may hit a little differently. Step forward Cllr Simon Rush.

“At the End of the Day…”  The Man Who Turned The Council Into A Slum Landlord.

Having voted in favour of every major decision made by Mayor Fiaz, and having sat loyally by her side through one calamity after another.

McLean now wants to lead the borough. How exactly she plans to distance herself from the wreckage of the Fiaz era is anyone’s guess?

This young woman took to Tik-Tok to vent her annoyance with Newham Council and the mayor in particular using very colourful language.

The renovation of Queens Market is a case in point for the malaise of the Fiaz administration.

Fast-forward to 2025, and under Ali’s watch, Newham has gone cap-in-hand to the government for “exceptional financial support.” A polite euphemism for near-bankruptcy.

Now, as the borough teeters on the edge, Ali believes he should be given even more responsibility—as Mayor.

Labour, mayoral hopefuls have until 5pm on Monday 30th June to submit their applications.

The local CLPs remain suspended so the decision will be taken by party officers.

Abi Gbago, the Council’s Chief Executive, could soon be the former Chief Executive.

Sources familiar with the situation have indicated that Gbago could be in line for a substantial financial payoff.

A Picture Paints A Thousand Words. Change at the top incoming!

Rachel McKoy, the council’s Monitoring Officer, has reportedly submitted her notice and is expected to leave her post around a year after her appointment in September 2024.

Her exit comes hot on the heels of a string of other senior departures from the council.

The allegations asserted that a drunken Patel, an Indian Hindu, had abused a Muslim shopkeeper and sought to extort money from the shop keeper.

During the course of this interaction, Patel was alleged to have expressed anti-Muslim sentiments.

“Please note, this email is private and confidential.”

So began an email from the Group Chair, Cllr Simon Rush to all members of the Labour Group.

What is more concerning is what he/she/they are working on.

Every reader of these pages will be aware that Newham is experiencing, what is probably the worst financial crisis in its history. Tens of millions of pounds will need to be cut from the annual budget. Yet it seems there is still enough to pursue a cultural strategy.

Fiaz’s administration has been marked by internal discord and governance issues. A 2023 report by the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny highlighted “poor relationships” among councillors and a “real personal animosity” between certain councillors and the mayor, which hindered effective scrutiny and decision-making. 

The decision, in a time of financial crisis, seems bizarre. The mayor’s willingness to alienate stall-holders, shopkeepers and customers alike seems politically courageous* given that the Green St wards and Boleyn ward must be amongst the most vulnerable in the borough to a challenge from Newham Independents.

It would appear that Mayor Fiaz has selected two names for promotion to cabinet. We understand that she will announce the names this evening.

It is evident that even one-time allies have now fallen out with the mayor. Those who put in great efforts to get her selected are sadly disappointed and want change.

One such is Mohammed Uddin, who can be found writing  for ‘Newham Muslims on Twitter/X. 

Newham has perfected its new source of income generation. NE Londoner  reported that Newham was second, only to Westminster, in the number PCNs issued in London. These PCNs brought in some £21.5m between 2023-24. Two thirds of these were for parking offences.

It seems that the anti-Fiaz factions came out the winners at this year’s council AGM.

Amongst the uncontested places, Cllr Hudson took the Chair of the OSC. Members have voted and the three scrutiny chairs are as follows: Joshua Garfield, Susan Masters and Lakmini Shah.

Scrutiny is now firmly set to focus on the plans that Fiaz has with all places going to individuals critical of the mayor.