Labour stormed back in the Stepney Green by-election giving them the overall majority on Tower Hamlets council of just one.
Their candidate Sabina Akhtar took 1,643 votes, well ahead of nearest rival Abu Chowdhury’s 1,472.
She got 42 per cent of the ward vote.
It was a welcome relief for Labour battling to claw back its credability in its traditional heartland after a drubbing last time from Alibor Choudhury, who was banned from office by the High Court in April along with renergade ex-Mayor Lutfur Ramman for malpractice.
Labour group leader Rachael Saunders was overjoyed at the declaration.
“We have won a brilliant new councillor which has given us back our majority,” she told the East London Advertiser. “Now we’ll sort out the council.
“It’s taken a while for people to get to know her after last year’s defeat, but she’s a good campaigner and this is a great result.”
Sabina Akhtar is a hematologist by profession who lives on Mile End’s Brtitish Estate and grew up in Stepney.
She has now reversed Labour’s misfortunes with her win.
Result for Stepney Green ward:
Sabina Akhtar (Lab) elected—1,643
Abu Chowdhury (ind)—1,472
Kirsty Chestnutt (Green)—272
Paula Shea (Ukip)—203
Safiul Azam (Con)—153
Will Dyer Lib Dem)—114
Jessie Macneil-Brown (Something New)—40
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