Zuber Resigns! How Many will Follow?

In a move that will shock Newham Labour, Cllr Zuber Gulamussen resigned from the Labour Party two days before the by-election. First elected in 2014 (to East Ham North), Gulamussen resigned citing two main themes. The first was the appalling state of the roads etc. He makes clear that he is dissatisfied with the way in which Mayor Fiaz has failed the borough.

Secondly, and critically, he calls out Labour and the mayor on Gaza. He is one of a group of councillors who are known to have opposed the position of the Labour Party on a Gaza ceasefire. It was reported to us that he was visibly distressed when the issue was discussed at Labour Group. We are told that he, and others, felt abandoned and left without support by either the Labour Party in Newham or the mayor and council.

This stands in stark contrast to earlier occasions, when Muslim councillors who took positions that were unpopular with the community, received the physical and practical support necessary from the council. We think of the fall-out over the Temple Mills Mosque, (mega-mosque) planning issue, for example.

On this occasion, Muslim councillors who tried to walk a tightrope between party and community, have felt like they have been left out in the cold by Labour.

Our understanding is that Cllr Gulamussen is not the only one and that other Muslim councillors are actively considering their position.

His defection makes Newham Independents equal with the Greens. If Sophia Naqvi wins on Thursday, Mehmood Mirza will lead the largest opposition group.

We reproduce Gulamussen’s resignation letter below.