Aspire recaptures overall control of Tower Hamlets Council

Aspire recaptures overall control of Tower Hamlets Council, Stephen Goodall with the latest.

Overnight, Aspire has restored its majority on Tower Hamlets Council. This follows the defection of Councillor Sabina Khan (who was elected in 2022 as a Labour councillor for Mile End) and the decision of Councillor Jahed Choudhury to rejoin Aspire, after resigning earlier this month.

Councillor Khan’s decision to defect is an interesting one, as she has openly clashed with Aspire councillors during her time sitting on the council’s strategic development committee (SDC). This was seen most vividly at last week’s SDC, where she spearheaded Labour’s revolt against Aspire’s decision to defer proposals for a large-scale, purpose-built student accommodation scheme at Wood Wharf. This application is due to be heard at next Monday’s SDC, where Councillor Khan will now sit as an Aspire councillor.

Councillor Khan is the second Labour councillor to join Aspire in recent weeks, following the decision of Councillor Sabina Akhtar (who held key roles during the previous Biggs administration) to defect.

The political composition of Tower Hamlets is now Aspire 22, Labour 17, Independent 4, Conservative 1, Green 1. These changes will likely bolster Aspire’s strength on key committees, including the SDC.