Labor wins Maryland by-election and Forest Gate in Newham

Labor retained two wards in Newham after last week’s by-election. The by-election, held on the same day as the general election (4 July), saw Labor retain the Maryland ward and the Forest Gate North ward. Melanie Onovo is the new councilor for the Maryland ward after finishing in first place with 1,626 votes, while Liz Cronin is the new councilor for the Forest Gate North ward after winning 1,757 votes.

The by-election was triggered by the recent departures of Ken Penton, who was Labor councilor for Maryland, and Sasha Das Gupta, who was Labor councilor for Forest Gate North. In Maryland, Linda Jordan of Newham Independents came in second with 896 votes, while Chris Brooks of Green finished third with 712 votes.

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Conservative Mary Antwi finished fourth with 360 votes and Lib Dem David Terrar was last with 185 votes. Voter turnout was 41.25%. Shortly after her victory, Cllr Onovo posted on X: “I am deeply honored to have been elected Councilor for Maryland. I am so moved by the faith the residents have placed in me. No matter how you voted, I’ll be a gift. advocate for your needs. A truly historic night for the country.

In Forest Gate North and finishing in the same order as Maryland, Newham Independents’ Zakaria Bhariwala was second with 1,073 votes, while Green’s Zahra Kheyre finished third with 810 votes. In fourth place was Tory Malcolm Madden with 251 votes, while Lib Dem Jamie Bryant was last with 192 votes. The turnout was 53.35%.

Cllr Cronin said: “I am so grateful to everyone who voted and campaigned, in Newham and Forest Gate North. There is much to do to earn the trust you have placed in us. I will share the contact details as soon as possible (soon AS possible) and get to work – with all residents, regardless of how you voted.” On July 18, there will be two more by-elections for the Little Ilford and Beckton ward.

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