Who’s Standing?
We see that many of the parties have put out a full slate contesting every seat in every ward. Whilst this looks like a bit of political muscle flexing, it belies the way in which the various parties have chosen to posture, rather than seek power. Contesting every seat, rather than fighting those seats where they might stand a reasonable chance of winning, merely dissipates their energies. Moreover, by standing three or more parties in opposition to Labour, the opposition is split, more or less assuring a Labour victory.
For instance, in what are now two-member seats in Forest Gate North and Stratford Olympic Park, both the Liberals and the Greens are standing candidates, competing for essentially the same vote and ensuring that neither will win. Were one to withdraw from each party we might see a real race for the council. As it stands, Labour must be confident of winning 66 out of 66 seats.
There are some new parties showing an interest. For the first time we see Reform, making a limited showing. The CPA, the Conservatives, Lib-Dems and the Greens are all putting up full slates to challenge Labour. In addition, there are a number of ex-Labour activists standing against the party as independents. TUSC have also put up several candidates.
We have yet to see their literature, but we could imagine the new Independents encouraging two-votes for Labour and one for Independent. Just to shake Labour up a little. They might just squeeze a seat or two out of the campaign.
A full list of the mayoral candidates can be found here; newham-mayoral
The candidates and their backers for council seats can be found here; Local election notices – Election Statutory Notices – Newham Council
There are some interesting candidacies. For instance, in Canning Town North, we find
Linda is an ex-councillor, and presumably, ex-Labour Party member. For reasons best known to themselves the Labour Party chose not to interview her as a possible candidate this time round, despite her considerable experience, particularly in education where she is undoubtedly one of the leading thinkers in the country on inclusive education. But, as we have seen, the current administration seems to have given little time to improving the education of SEND children. Interestingly, Linda was Chair of Governors at Eastlea School and may pick up votes from parents who remember her efforts. She has chosen to stand as an independent.
Competing for the same seat we find mayoral aspirant and ex-CPA, ex-Labour and now CPA again candidate, Simeon Ademolake.
In Canning Town South, we see another ex-Labour member and former Chair of West Ham CLP standing, again as an independent.
Carel is known to be on the left of the party, which probably puts her some distance to the right of one of the pro-Chavez, pro-Putin, pro-Assad sitting councillors.
As we have noted elsewhere, the former Chair of East Ham CLP is now standing as an independent in Little Ilford.
Another defection can be seen where Shoyemi Pepper-Hade has ditched Labour to try his chances with the CPA.
Ex-Labour member Mehmood Mirza, who is also standing for mayor, throws his hat in the ring in Plashet.
Not a massive leakage from Labour, particularly given that they chose not to interview two-thirds of the applicants for council. There is a potential for some excitement, but not an expectation.