The Green Party has announced its candidate for the May 2026 Newham Mayoral Election.
Cllr Areeq Chowdhury has been selected to be stand for the party in the 2026 Newham mayoral election, one of three Green mayoral campaigns now underway across London.
In his candidacy announcement, Cllr Chowdhury said: "We live in a wonderful borough - yet we are plagued by rubbish fly tipped on our streets, the highest crime rate in East London, and a massive housing crisis.
"I am standing as Mayor because we deserve better than this. I want to build a Newham that we can be proud of."
He is a Green councillor for Canning Town North and has lived in the borough since 2013.
His selection comes in the wake of the defection of Cllr Reginald Popoola from Labour to the Greens in Southwark and of Independent councillor Lakshan Saldin joining the Greens in Greenwich.
Eugene McCarthy, chair of the London Green Party, said: "We've been out talking to residents on the doorstep and we believe Areeq can win.
"This is the third winnable Mayoral campaign we are launching."
Cllr Chowdhury, a parent raising his young family in Newham, joined the Green Party after 13 years of Labour membership, leaving due to their failure to oppose what he describes as the genocide in Gaza and embracing anti-immigration rhetoric.
He said: "We are at a turning point in politics, where values of human rights, democracy, and equality are under attack.
"As well as standing up for the environment, the Green Party are the only political party unashamedly standing up for these core values which I know many across our borough share."
Cllr Chowdhury has advocated for progressive changes in council policy in several areas, including housing, parking, policing, disability and litter.
As a member of Newham Council's audit committee, he has scrutinised the council's finances and urged for greater transparency and value for money.
Cllr Chowdhury has held roles in government, financial services, the UK Civil Service, City Hall, and Parliament, and has also worked in senior policy positions at the Royal Society and Future Advocacy.
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