Until recently, Newham in east London was seen as a Labour Party stronghold. The borough was created in 1965 and Newham Council has been under Labour control ever since.
Now all that could change with the local elections on 7 May. It's the same story in several places across east London: Labour is facing a formidable challenge from the left.
Partially this comes from local independent parties, such as the Redbridge Independents. But expectations are growing of a Green wave.
Zack Polanski’s left-wing party hopes to make significant gains across the country, and in east London the Greens could strip Labour of its majority in several places. Polling suggests the Greens will win majorities in Hackney and Lewisham.
But Newham has been overlooked in much national coverage. A YouGov poll last week put the Greens five points behind Labour, with the Newham Independents four points behind the Greens.
