Double election: double Newham's Green councillors

"Last year in London, the Greens stormed it in the [Stratford] Olympic Park ward in Newham" – Ben Walker, New Statesman, 11th May 2023.

Last year Newham Green Party made history and national news – finally breaking the one-party state that Labour had control of for 16 years, electing two Green councillors. We now have the opportunity to double our councillors in these upcoming by-elections.

We are excited to announce our candidates in the upcoming Wall End and Boleyn by-elections – Tassadduq Cheema and Joe Hudon-Small. We are fighting these elections to win, but we need your help. 

Above all the critics and the complacent Labour councillors, Nate Higgins and Danny Keeling won by 51% to Labour’s 34% – the biggest Green vote in London. We overtook the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, becoming Newham’s undeniable second party. 

"For more than 12 years every single councillor sent to Newham town hall in east London had been from Labour. Election nerds christened Newham one of many modern-day rotten boroughs in England. Then last week two young activists from the Green Party changed that." – New Statesman, 11th May 2022.

It shows that Newham wants change but they need to invest in a party they can trust and that will beat Labour.

We have already hit the ground running to ensure we have the best chance to win in these by-elections.

For the last year Nate & Danny have been working even harder standing up for residents in Stratford Olympic Park, as well forming Newham’s first Official Opposition in almost two decades. They’ve been sitting on committees and holding the council to account at full council, with Danny giving the first Leader of the Opposition speech in May.

Residents are telling us how much they appreciate the hard work and visibility of our Green councillors.

We thought we would have to wait until 2026 to give more residents in Newham the opportunity to choose something new for their communities. But two Labour councillors have now resigned triggering two by-elections – one in Boleyn and one in Wall End. Newham deserves better than councillors taking the role for granted and as Greens we are appreciative of every vote. 

Here are just a few of the things residents have said since Nate and Danny’s sensational win last year:

• “You’ve changed what local politics means to me”
• “You are the best councillor in the whole world ever!”
• “Can I just say I watch with absolute awe how very attentive and on the ball you are”
• “You work with the utmost courteousness and consideration. Truly selfless.”

Greens work incredibly hard for our residents, and we have an incredible opportunity to give that representation to more of Newham. 

We have two amazing committed candidates chosen by our local members – Tassadduq Cheema in Wall End and Joe Hudon-Small in Boleyn. These were rightly incredibly competitive selections – meanwhile Labour’s two candidates have been handpicked by Keir Starmer – shutting out local members.

We’ve worked with London Green Party and our Field Organisers to work out our strategy – and we’re confident we can win and elect at least one more Green councillor here in Newham. 

We have proven we can win in Newham against all the odds – and win big. We work hard, we follow target to win, and we take nothing for granted. But we are still a small party – though we may be Newham’s second party we are far from the second wealthiest, so we do rely on the support of people like you. 

However big or small the donation is, we appreciate it just as we do each and every vote and every minute of support people give us.

• Just £5 means we can reach 200 more voters with leaflets putting across our vital message. With the margin between Labour and Greens expected to be close, your donation could make the difference. 
• With just £30, we can reach over a thousand voters and help them hear our positive, Green vision for Newham, possibly for the first time.
• £100 will help us reach half the residents in one of our two wards, and £200 will pay for an entire leaflet round. Voters need to hear our message at least six times, and this will go a long way.  

But every little helps.

We can get more Greens elected here in these by-elections. However we need your help because unlike other parties the Green Party isn’t funded by corporations, big business or private interests. 

We're really inspired by all the people coming forward to say how much of a difference they need Nate and Danny making here in Newham. But with more Green councillors, we could do so much more, and we need to ensure we have the resources to make the best use of this amazing enthusiasm.

If you want to see more Greens in the council chamber, arguing for a truly green and people-powered future for our great borough, donate now to ensure Newham residents hear our message.

We're planning a repeat of our sensational win last year, but we can only do that with your support.

You can find us on Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/newhamgreens or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/newhamgreenparty

Please note: if you wish to donate more than £500 in a year, you must be a citizen of the UK and on the UK electoral roll. Donations over £500 from any ineligible donor will be returned. 

Published and promoted by Rob Callender on behalf of Newham Green Party, at 36 Torero Mansions, 2 Honour Lea Avenue, London, E20 1DW