Representative from UK, May 09, 2026:
A British politician of Bangladeshi origin, Forhad Hussain, has been elected Mayor of Newham, marking a historic milestone for the British-Bangladeshi community in the United Kingdom.
Representing the Labour Party, Forhad Hussain secured 25,538 votes in the 2026 mayoral election, defeating independent candidate Mehmood Mirza in one of London’s most diverse boroughs.
According to multiple reports, Hussain has become the first Bangladeshi-origin politician to be elected mayor through a major mainstream political party in Britain.
After his victory, Hussain said the election represented “the beginning of a new chapter” for Newham and pledged to work for every resident of the borough.
Newham, located in East London, is home to a large immigrant and ethnic minority population, including thousands of residents of Bangladeshi heritage. Political analysts say Hussain’s victory reflects the growing influence and participation of British Bangladeshis in UK politics.
Before becoming mayor, Hussain served for several years as a Labour councillor in Plaistow North and held important responsibilities related to commercial development, crime prevention, and anti-social behaviour within the borough council.
The election took place during the wider 2026 local elections across England and Wales, where several boroughs elected new mayors and councillors.
Community leaders and members of the Bangladeshi diaspora across Britain have welcomed the result, calling it a proud moment for Bangladeshis living abroad and a sign of increasing representation of ethnic minorities in British public life.