12.06.15
Labour’s John Biggs named new Tower Hamlets mayor
Labour’s John Biggs has become the new mayor of Tower Hamlets, in an election called after his predecessor was removed from office for corruption.
In April Lutfur Rahman, who beat Biggs in last year’s election, was found guilty of corrupt and illegal practices over his election, which the High Court declared ‘void’.
Biggs, a member of the London Assembly, secured victory with 32,574 votes – this included second preference votes. The election had a 37.73% turnout.
Rabina Khan who stood as an independent came second with 26,763 votes, with Conservative Peter Golds third on 5,946.
Speaking after the count at London's ExCel conference centre after the count, Biggs said: “What is important in Tower Hamlets is that we recognise the events of the past year or more have caused enormous tension and friction in our great borough and we need, under the new mayor, to pull things back together again.
“Without dwelling too much on the past we should remind ourselves why we are in this position; there was bad behaviour.
“We need to overcome that, we need to move forwards, we need to recognise that Tower Hamlets is actually quite a magical place... where people come with traditionally quite little and build their dreams.”
Following the High Court ruling in April, the Electoral Commission removed Tower Hamlets First (THF), the party led by disgraced former mayor Lutfur Rahman, from the register of political parties.
(Image of John Biggs c. Hannah McKay)
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