The Mayor calls for unity amid rising hate, flags controversy, and recent attacks. A policy review aims to ensure inclusion, respect, and safety for all communities in Newham.
FULL COUNCIL SPEECH MAYOR FIAZ
9TH OCTOBER 2025
Evening Colleagues. As we progress with our business tonight, I have an ask from you all.
I want us, for a moment, to take a moment.
A moment to pause and reflect at the time we live in right now.
A time that feels perilous, hateful and hostile for many of our residents. Right now.
Because of the way in which difference and the language of ‘they don’t belong here’ is gaining traction by forces wanting to tear communities apart.
That’s why tonight I want to address the issue of flags, hate, hostility, division, intimidation, racism, arson attacks and terrorism.
But also of unity, community, hope and love.
Let me start with the flag St George and the Union Jack – symbols of our country and of our history and heritage.
Often associated with national sporting occasions, such as World Cups, or patriotic events, such as remembrance days and royal occasions, a surge over the summer has sparked controversy, fear and worry.
They’ve been mounted up around the country outside houses, in garden, on rooftops, in shops, in cars, on marches and hanging from lampposts
Leading to a national debate about whether they represent pride or prejudice.
As a symbol of respect and celebration. Or as a symbol associated with the rise of far right demonstrations across the country in protest against asylum seekers, refugees and Muslims.
There is no doubt it has been concerning.
On the other hand, flags have also been instigated as a tactic of protest.
Over recent weeks, I along with councillors and the Chief Executive have received several emails demanding that the Council raise the flag of Palestine.
I get it, now that the UK government has declared its recognition of the State of Palestine.
Pertinent today, now that the war between Hamas and the State of Isreal has ended – providing hope for the people of Gaza and the Israeli hostages.
The time for Peace and delivering the Two-State Solution has come - finally.
But raising the flag of Palestine is not that straightforward for a Council that must be policy-led and have regard for all members of our communities. Our people.
That’s why this evening; I wanted to let you know that in discussions with the Chief Executive, I have instigated a review of the Council’s existing flags and special lighting policy, last conducted in 2023.
The Review will consider:
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National Government guidance and compliance with national policy.
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The policies of other London councils
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Newham’s Social Integration Strategy, published in 2020 with a vision to build a more cohesive, united and fairer borough.
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How the Council deals with removing flags placed by others on council infrastructure, such as any council building, on lamp posts or highways.
I want for the Council’s flag and special lighting policy to ensure that our approach to flags and special lighting of our civic buildings reflects and supports all Newham’s diverse communities, of all population sizes.
Initial discussions suggest we should consider a more limited schedule of flags in our policy, to avoid the unintended perception that in flying some international flags and not others, we are not signalling inclusion to all ethnicities and nationalities within Newham.
The Council aims to signal a clear message of welcome, inclusion and belonging to all.
Policy options include:
Option 1: No change to the existing policy.
Option 2: Remove all international flags from the flags schedule in the policy.
Option 3: Keep the existing schedule of international flags plus stipulation of the Palestinian and Israeli flag alongside one another (reflecting the 'two-state solution' that is the Government's stated policy) on a suitable date in the calendar.
The review will also consider whether the Council should make any changes to the schedule of other commemorative flags, or any changes to the approach for special lighting of civic buildings, and clarification of the decision-making for any requests made to fly flags outside of the agreed schedule.
I will provide members a further update in due course about the process that will be undertaken, and of course once the review is completed.
The shocking events that took place in Manchester last week, the antisemitic terrorist attack on the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
Two worshippers lost their lives: Adrian Jonathan Daulby and Melvin Lesley Cravitz. Several others were seriously injured.
Adrian Daulby reportedly died while bravely attempting to prevent the attacker from entering the synagogue, an act of selflessness that reminds us of the best of humanity in the face of the worst.
Then the hate-fuelled Islamophobic and racist arson attack on the Peacehaven Mosque in Sussex last weekend – one of several attacks against Mosques in our country over the past several months.
These incidents, though separated by geography, are connected by hatred, hatred that seeks to divide us by faith, background, and identity.
We stand firmly with our Muslim and Jewish communities here, and elsewhere, with all faith communities who today feel fear, grief, and uncertainty.
Here in Newham, we are proud to be one of the most diverse boroughs in the country. People of all faiths, and of none, live, work, and worship side by side.
But when violence like this occurs elsewhere, it reverberates here.
Shaking confidence, making people and neighbours anxious and frightened.
We must not allow that to happen here.
No one in Newham should ever feel unsafe walking to their place of worship, wearing a symbol of their faith, or expressing who they are.
Our diversity is our strength, but it needs our active protection and care.
We must be clear:
We condemn antisemitism.
We condemn Islamophobia.
We condemn every form of hate.
There is no room for it here in our borough.
When one community is attacked, all of us are injured.
When one place of worship is defiled, all places of worship are defiled.
That is why, as Mayor, I state unequivocally hate will not win; we won’t be divided or torn apart.
