A new chapter of pride in London: Executive Mayor Farhad and Executive Mayor Lutfur

Muhammed Shahed Rahman : A new chapter of pride in London, United Kingdom, with two British-Bangladeshi faces now leading two important councils in British politics.

Sitting in the leadership position and as the executive mayor of Tower Hamlets and Newham Council in London, it has been proven once again that with hard work, honesty, and competence, Bangladeshis can make a place for themselves with dignity even in the diaspora.

This achievement is not only personal, but also an inspiration and pride for the entire Bengali-Bangladeshi community. Not only that, 2 of the 5 executive mayors of London are Bengalis, British-Bangladeshis, and descendants of Sylhet.

Tower Hamlets and Newham Borough Councils in East London—two borough councils with a Bangladeshi population located side by side—are now both led by two British Bangladeshis.

Lutfur Rahman was elected as the executive mayor of Tower Hamlets Council in London for the fourth time, while Farhad Hossain made history by being elected as the executive mayor of Newham for the first time.

Farhad Hossain is the first British Bangladeshi to be elected mayor from a mainstream political party in Britain. His party is the ruling Labour Party. Lutfur Rahman’s party is called the Aspire Party.

In London, out of a total of 32 councils, five have mayors directly elected by the people. These mayors have executive powers.

The remaining twelve councils are Shiromani. Two of these five councils are led by mayors of Bangladeshi origin.

British Bangladeshi Lutfur Rahman won for the fourth time from Tower Hamlets Council in London.

He received 16,225 more votes than his nearest rival. Lutfar Rahman was elected from the Aspira Party.

Second place went to Labor Party candidate Sirajul Islam – 19,454 votes. Third place went to Green Party candidate Hira Khan – 19,223 votes.

On the other hand, Bangladeshi-origin Farhad Hossain, the Labour Party’s mayoral candidate, won the Newham Council election in the UK.

Farhad Hossain received 25,538 votes. His rival Mohammad Mirza received 20,234 votes.

Apart from politics, Farhad Hossain was also active in various social activities of the community. He gained recognition through his long association with various social and public service activities of the local residents.

Issues such as improving local services, community cohesion, and increasing youth participation are important in the election campaign.

After his victory, Farhad Hossain thanked his supporters and said that this victory is a matter of pride for the entire community. He pledged to work for people of all communities.

Many expatriate Bangladeshis believe that Farhad Hossain’s achievement will further encourage the participation of a new generation of Bangladeshi-born people in UK politics.

It is noteworthy that the local council elections in the United Kingdom were held on Thursday, May 7, 2026. The results of these two councils, like other councils, were announced by the incumbent Election Commissioner on Friday afternoon, May 8.

According to the information we have received so far, both of these British Bangladeshi executive mayors have won. Congratulations to both of them.