British-Bangladeshi Mayors Make History in London as City's Desi Dining Scene Dazzles
🗳️ British-Bangladeshi Candidates Claim Historic Mayoral Victories in East London
Two British-Bangladeshi candidates secured landmark executive mayoral victories in the United Kingdom's local government elections held on Thursday, May 7, 2026, with results confirmed the following day. The wins carry lasting significance for East London's substantial Bangladeshi communities.
Farhad Hossain of the Labour Party was elected executive mayor of Newham Council with 25,538 votes, defeating Newham Independent Party candidate Kamran Malik, who received 20,234 votes. Hossain's win is a historic first — he becomes the first British-Bangladeshi candidate from a major UK political party to win such an executive mayoral position. Green Party contender Arik Chowdhury placed third among eight candidates with 18,999 votes.
In Tower Hamlets, Aspire Party's Lutfur Rahman secured a strong re-election as mayor, receiving 35,679 votes. Labour's Sirajul Islam was his closest rival with 19,454 votes, and Green Party candidate Hira Khan Adeogun finished third in the nine-candidate race. A significant number of British-Bangladeshi candidates also contested seats across 136 local authorities, including Barking and Dagenham and Redbridge.
The broader election results raised concern for Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Labour, which reportedly lost ground in several traditional strongholds. Nigel Farage's right-wing party was among the biggest gainers, winning nearly 400 council seats — a result that signals a potential shift in Britain's political landscape heading into future national elections. [4]
From Mayfair to Southall: London's Indian Restaurants Earn Fresh Acclaim
London's Indian food scene continues to command attention, with The Infatuation publishing an updated guide in July 2026 to the city's best South Asian restaurants. The guide, authored by a five-person team comprising Jake Missing, Rianne Shlebak, Heidi Lauth Beasley, Daisy Meager, and Sinead Cranna, covers the full breadth of Indian dining in London — from upscale white tablecloth establishments to casual canteen-style spots.
Bibi, situated at 42 North Audley Street in the Mayfair neighbourhood (rated ££££), is among the top-tier Indian restaurants highlighted, illustrating the capital's capacity for premium South Asian cuisine. Mayfair also earns a mention for a sensational wild muntjac biryani, while west London's Southall is praised for its refreshing chaat, showcasing the guide's wide geographic reach across the city.
The list enthusiastically points diners toward an array of distinctive dishes: venison keema naan, fruity kofte zardaloo, buttery keema pao, and sizzling lamb chops are all cited as compelling reasons to explore London's Desi kitchens. The guide's combination of high-end and accessible options reflects the diversity of the city's South Asian culinary culture. Taken together, these picks reinforce London's enduring reputation as one of the world's great destinations for Indian food, with celebrated meals available at virtually every price point across the capital's many neighbourhoods. [2]
Sources: [4] Views Bangladesh · [2] The Infatuation