EVH Explains: The 2026 Local Elections

Elections are coming to Newham on Thursday 7 May 2026. All 66 council seats are up, along with the Mayor of Newham. This is the first time residents have voted for a full council since 2022.

If you live in East Village, here is what you need to know.

Your ward

East Village sits within Stratford Olympic Park ward. It returns two councillors to Newham Council.

In 2022, the ward elected Nate Higgins and Danny Keeling - the first Green Party councillors ever to sit in Newham's chamber. Before that, Labour had held every seat in Newham without exception since the borough was created.

This time, Keeling is standing in the neighbouring Stratford ward. Higgins is standing again in Stratford Olympic Park, alongside new Green candidate Joe Hudson-Small. Labour will contest the ward. The full confirmed candidate list is published after 9 April - we'll update this page when it is.

Issues in this ward

These are things that have happened in Stratford Olympic Park over the past four years that are worth knowing about when you read any candidate's claims.

East London Energy's heating contract was the subject of a Freedom of Information request in 2022. It forced publication of a document that had not previously been made public and identified a clause that could have allowed mid-year price rises. EVH has covered district heating and ELE - you can read more here.

A petition signed by over 2,400 residents called for a dedicated police presence in East Village following a sustained period of phone thefts in the Victory Plaza and Honour Lea area. The ward panel backed it.

Stratford Olympic Park was brought into Newham's selective landlord licensing scheme, giving the council powers to fine rogue landlords up to £30,000.

How to vote

You need to be on the electoral register by midnight on Monday 20 April. Check or update your registration at newham.gov.uk.

You need photo ID to vote in person. A passport, driving licence, or older person's bus pass all count. If you don't have a valid form of ID, apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate at gov.uk. That application closes at 5pm on Tuesday 28 April.

Postal vote applications close at 5pm on Tuesday 21 April.

Polling stations are open 7am to 10pm on the day.

To find out exactly who is standing in your part of the ward, use whocanivotefor.co.uk with your postcode.

One more thing

EVH does not endorse candidates or parties. This piece will be updated with the full candidate list after 9 April.