Who won the Newham mayoral election?
Getty ImagesThe election for mayor of Newham was held on 7 May 2026.
The results were:
Forhad Hussain (Labour): 25,538 votes (30.4%)
Mehmood Mirza (Newham Independents): 20,234 votes (24.1%)
Areeq Chowdhury (Green): 18,999 votes (22.6%)
Clive Furness (Reform UK): 7,313 votes (8.7%)
Terri Bloore (Conservative): 6,360 votes (7.6%)
Laura Willoughby (Liberal Democrat): 3,766 votes (4.5%)
Bharath Swamy (Christian Peoples Alliance): 1,550 votes (1.8%)
Kamran Malik (Communities United Party): 324 votes (0.4%)
What does an elected mayor do?
All 32 of London' s boroughs have a mayor, but in most cases their duties are ceremonial. They wear a chain and municipal robes - the position is largely honorary and they have little power.
An elected mayor by contrast has significant powers in their borough.
The mayor is the political leader of the council and they appoint a cabinet made up of elected councillors who are given specific portfolios such as finance, community safety and children's services.
They control local services such as housing, including local regeneration schemes and affordable housing targets, planning and waste collection.
Mayors are elected on their own manifesto and may be a member of a political party or an independent candidate.
The votes for the mayor and the council are held at the same time.
There is a separate mayor of London, currently Sir Sadiq Khan, responsible for police, fire and rescue, Transport for London and strategic matters that affect all 32 London boroughs.
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