Zuber Gulamussen: An Independent Voice for Plashet

Cllr Zuber Gulamussen, first elected in 2014 for East Ham North, is now serving as the Independent Councillor for the Plashet Branch. In a move that sent shockwaves through Newham Labour, Gulamussen resigned from the Labour Party just two days before the by-election.

He cited two major reasons for his resignation. The first was the appalling state of local infrastructure, particularly roads, and his deep dissatisfaction with the failure of Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz to address the borough’s long-standing issues.

Secondly—and critically—Gulamussen spoke out against Labour and the Mayor’s position on Gaza. As one of a group of councillors who opposed Labour’s stance on a ceasefire, he was visibly distressed during internal discussions. He and others felt abandoned, receiving neither the support nor solidarity they expected from the Labour Party in Newham, the Mayor, or the wider council.

This stands in stark contrast to earlier years when Muslim councillors, even if unpopular with their communities, were at least afforded practical and moral backing by the council. For example, during the fallout over the Temple Mills “mega-mosque” planning issue, councillors received the necessary support to withstand community pressure.

This time, however, many Muslim councillors felt left isolated, forced to choose between party loyalty and community expectations—with little to no support from Labour. Gulamussen’s defection highlights this growing rift and suggests he may not be the last to reconsider his position.

With his resignation, the Newham Independents are now on equal footing with the Greens. Should Sophia Naqvi secure victory in Plaistow North, Mehmood Mirza will lead the largest opposition group on the council, signalling a significant shift in Newham’s political landscape.

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