Chaudhry Tabraiz Aurah
London:The Labour Party in the London Borough of Newham has selected Forhad Hussain as its mayoral candidate, putting forward a lifelong Plaistow resident with deep community roots and a broad professional background.
Located in East London, the London Borough of Newham is one of the capital’s most diverse and rapidly developing areas. It is home to major landmarks including London City Airport, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and ExCeL London, and has undergone significant regeneration since the London 2012 Olympics. The borough operates a directly elected mayoral system, meaning local residents vote directly to choose their mayor, giving the role substantial executive authority over housing, regeneration, community safety, and local services.
Hussain, a father of two, grew up in Newham and was educated locally before becoming the first student at Newham Sixth Form College (NewVic) to achieve three A grades. He later studied Aeronautical Engineering at Imperial College London.
His career spans the National Health Service, education, local government, and the charity sector. He currently serves as a Principal Consultant at Arcadis, working on major infrastructure including the Lower Thames Crossing. Alongside his professional work, he is an ECB Level 2 cricket coach, actively supporting grassroots sports in the borough.
Hussain previously served eight years as a Newham councillor and Cabinet Member, where he led on community safety, introduced a zero-tolerance approach to anti-social behaviour, and worked closely with the Metropolitan Police to address crime hotspots. As Chair of Newham’s Pension Scheme, he doubled the fund to £1.4 billion and delivered annual savings of £4 million.
After stepping back from politics in 2018 for family reasons, Hussain has returned with a campaign focused on what he describes as “practical delivery.” His election campaign centres on five key pledges: enforcing local regulations, improving street cleanliness, fixing parking challenges, giving residents a stronger voice in decision-making, and restoring sound financial management at the council level.
His campaign has also emphasised community engagement, with a focus on listening to residents across neighbourhoods such as Plaistow, Stratford, East Ham, and Canning Town. Supporters say his local upbringing and professional experience position him as a candidate who understands both the challenges and opportunities facing the borough.
Speaking to the Daily The spokesman , Hussain thanked residents for their support and outlined his vision:
While my opponents pursue an agenda of division, negativity and chaos, even celebrating when things go wrong, I’m focused on something very different,” he said.
If elected, I will be a mayor for everyone in Newham. I am offering a programme that is hopeful, practical, and rooted in the everyday concerns of the people who live here.”
He added that his plan is designed not only to address current issues but also to prepare Newham for future challenges, particularly as the borough continues to grow and attract investment.
“This borough gave me every opportunity in life; it made me who I am and I am determined to deliver the stable, constructive leadership Newham deserves,” Hussain said.
“Hussain previously served eight years as a Newham councillor and Cabinet Member”
“Hussain previously served eight years as a Newham councillor and Cabinet Member”With local elections approaching, Newham is expected to be a closely watched contest, reflecting broader political dynamics across London as parties compete to shape the future of one of the city’s most dynamic boroughs.
