Choices, choices

The full list of council candidates was released last Thursday. There are 360 candidates chasing the 66 available seats.

Here’s how they breakdown by Party/description:

The Newham Independents, Greens, and “Local Conservatives” have each fielded exactly 66 candidates —  a full slate of candidates across all 24 wards. Labour’s 66 candidates are split across two descriptions — 47 as “Labour Party” and 19 as “Labour and Co-operative Party.”

Reform UK don’t have a full slate, but they are contesting all 24 wards. They are running just one candidate in 14 wards: Beckton, Boleyn, Canning Town North, Canning Town South, Custom House, East Ham, Forest Gate South, Green Street East, Plaistow West and Canning Town East, Plashet, Royal Albert, Royal Victoria, Stratford and Wall End.

They have two candidates in Little Ilford, Plaistow North, Plaistow South and West Ham, all of which return three councillors; and a full slate in East Ham South, Green Street West and Manor Park (3-seat wards) and also in Forest Gate North, Stratford Olympic Park and Maryland (all 2-seat wards).

The Liberal Democrats are contesting 20 of the 24 wards. The four wards not being contested are East Ham, Green Street East, Green Street West, and Plaistow West & Canning Town East.

17 wards have a single Lib Dem on the ballot: Beckton, Boleyn, Canning Town North, Canning Town South, Custom House, East Ham South, Forest Gate North, Little Ilford, Manor Park, Maryland, Plaistow North, Plaistow South, Plashet, Royal Victoria, Stratford, Wall End, West Ham. 

They have two candidates in three wards: Forest Gate South, where they are one short of a full slate, and the two-seat wards of Royal Albert and Stratford Olympic Park.

Canning Town South and Custom House voters will have the longest ballot papers to contend with, each having 19 candidates.