April 2025 marks 60 years since the creation of the London boroughs including Newham. In 1965 East Ham and West Ham merged to form Newham and absorbed North Woolwich from Woolwich and Gallions Reach from Barking.
Present day Newham naturally looks different over half a century later but as I walk around West Ham and Beckton there are constant references to our history. In our parks, buildings and roads named after the like of suffragette leader Minnie Baldock or campaigner Kamal Chunchie.
Kamal Chunchie who, in 1926, founded the Coloured Men’s Institute, also reminds us that the diversity in East London is a much older feature than many think. It has been a part of the history of our area much longer than ‘Newham’ itself.
Now our diversity is apparent in the festivals and celebrations that have brought us together over the last couple of months. Across West Ham and Beckton we have marked Holi, Eid, Passover, Vaisakhi, Easter and many have celebrated the arrival of spring and the new year.
Anniversaries always spark reflection, and 60 years of Newham was no different. As well as the changes that we have seen, I have been thinking of some of the challenges that have always faced our patch.
On average half of the personal casework that me and my team deal with is related to housing. This can vary from issues with social housing to private rent or service charge. Whilst we work on a case-by-case basis there is also a need for large scale change to help those in need now and address the root causes of our housing problems.
The Government has promised the largest increase in social and affordable housing in a generation with a commitment to build 1.5 million homes over the next 5 years. The Renters’ Rights Bill puts in protections from no-fault eviction, unfair advance rent payments and mould and damp. Homeowners will also receive more rights, power and protections over their homes thanks to leasehold and freehold reforms. Although I cannot guarantee a positive outcome, my team and I will always try our best to advocate for you.
Newham and West Ham and East Ham before it have a rich history and we are all players in that. As long as I have the privilege of being your MP, I will do all I can and work with all of you across communities to continue and support that legacy of change and progress.
