Politics

Opinion

MP Jas Athwal celebrated 100 years since Ilford's Charter Day with business and community leaders in Parliament (Image: Jas Athwal)

Jas Athwal, Labour MP for Ilford South

Celebrating 100 years of Ilford and the community spirit that still binds us

Diwali is more than fireworks, dancing and presents (Image: Dharam Sahdev)

Diwali is more than fireworks, dancing and presents (Image: Dharam Sahdev)

Diwali reminds us that even in dark times there is always hope

An artist's impression of the new Queen's A&E entrance (Image: BHRUT)

An artist's impression of the new Queen's A&E entrance (Image: BHRUT)

Queen's Hospital

New A&E for Queen’s Hospital after campaign secures more than £40m investment

Jewish refugees from Aden pictured at a temporary shelter in Mansell Street, Aldgate, in 1967 (Image: PA)

Jewish refugees from Aden pictured at a temporary shelter in Mansell Street, Aldgate, in 1967 (Image: PA)

Brothers and sisters with shared roots must find a way to live together in peace

Acting Inspector Gerry Mathieson joined Hindu residents for Raksha Bandhan celebrations in Ilford (Image: Met Police)

Acting Inspector Gerry Mathieson joined Hindu residents for Raksha Bandhan celebrations in Ilford (Image: Met Police)

How local knowledge is helping officers turn community concerns into real action

City Hall, London Assembly

Gallows Corner reopens but questions remain over business compensation

A busy day in Ilford town centre, where people from a wide range of backgrounds live, work and socialise (Image: Paul Bennet)

A busy day in Ilford town centre, where people from a wide range of backgrounds live, work and socialise (Image: Paul Bennet)

Why community cohesion should never be an optional extra

Member of Youth Parliament for Redbridge Inaaya Ijaz hosted the Youth Academic Achievement Awards last month (Image: Redbridge Council)

Member of Youth Parliament for Redbridge Inaaya Ijaz hosted the Youth Academic Achievement Awards last month (Image: Redbridge Council)

Redbridge Council

From pledge to prizes as Redbridge's young achievers take centre stage

Iain Duncan Smith met with Ray Lodge parents over safety concerns (Image: Iain Duncan Smith)

Iain Duncan Smith met with Ray Lodge parents over safety concerns (Image: Iain Duncan Smith)

Broadmead Bridge

School safety concerns grow as bridge and alleyway remain closed

UK sanctions extremist settlers and bans goods from illegal settlements

Let Us Choose protesters

Let Us Choose protesters

Abortion reform advances as assisted dying Bill defeat sparks renewed campaign

Police officers in Redbridge uncovered a cannabis factory in a residential property (Image: MPS)

Police officers in Redbridge uncovered a cannabis factory in a residential property (Image: MPS)

Metropolitan Police

Arrests, drug seizures and community action boost safety across Redbridge

Residents were without water for several days last month (Image: NQ)

Residents were without water for several days last month (Image: NQ)

Time for answers after Thames Water left Redbridge residents without water

The YouthFest 2026 day culminated in a celebration of achievements (Image: Redbridge Council)

The YouthFest 2026 day culminated in a celebration of achievements (Image: Redbridge Council)

Redbridge Council

Why youth events help young people build confidence and connections

Broadmead Road Bridge has been closed since July 2023

Broadmead Road Bridge has been closed since July 2023

Broadmead Bridge

Why Gallows Corner and Broadmead Bridge cannot be left in limbo

Students on Jas Athwal's Summer Scheme were surprised with a visit to 10 Downing Street (Image: Jas Athwal)

Students on Jas Athwal's Summer Scheme were surprised with a visit to 10 Downing Street (Image: Jas Athwal)

Jas Athwal, Labour MP for Ilford South

Calls grow for student loan reform as graduates face mounting pressures

Calvin Bailey urges everyone to enjoy the local parks and green spaces during the heatwave safely (Image: Calvin Bailey)

Calvin Bailey urges everyone to enjoy the local parks and green spaces during the heatwave safely (Image: Calvin Bailey)

Calvin Bailey MP, Leyton and Wanstead

Concerns grow over heatwave impact on schools, fires and public safety

The prolonged closure of Broadmead Bridge has disrupted motorists, businesses, emergency services and residents (Image: Redbridge Council)

The prolonged closure of Broadmead Bridge has disrupted motorists, businesses, emergency services and residents (Image: Redbridge Council)

Broadmead Bridge

Broadmead Bridge and bus drivers remain key priorities

Neighbourhood crime in Redbridge has fallen by 10% (Image: MPS)

Neighbourhood crime in Redbridge has fallen by 10% (Image: MPS)

Metropolitan Police

Crime down as neighbourhood policing delivers results

Islam teaches that all people are equal in dignity and worth, regardless of background or social status (Image: PA)

Islam teaches that all people are equal in dignity and worth, regardless of background or social status (Image: PA)

Islam's message of dignity, equality and respect

Troops arrive on shore in Normandy on June 6, 1944

Troops arrive on shore in Normandy on June 6, 1944

D-Day, June 6, 1944

Remembering D-Day through first-hand wartime accounts

The windmill at Chadwell Heath was one of three

The windmill at Chadwell Heath was one of three

The curious absence of a windmill in a farming hotspot

Vehicles set on fire by protesters in Belfast, as disorder flared in response the attack on Stephen Ogilvie in the city

Vehicles set on fire by protesters in Belfast, as disorder flared in response the attack on Stephen Ogilvie in the city

Mankamal Singh, The Sikh Network

Finding unity through a Sikh value in divided times

Cars illegally on the roads have been seized

Cars illegally on the roads have been seized

Crackdown on robbery and retail crime delivers results

The young people of Redbridge have elected the new Members of Youth Parliament (Image: PA)

The young people of Redbridge have elected the new Members of Youth Parliament (Image: PA)

Redbridge Council

Redbridge youth MPs pledge action on key issues

Every year, millions of Muslims from across the world travel to Makkah to perform Hajj

Every year, millions of Muslims from across the world travel to Makkah to perform Hajj

Why millions of Muslims undertake Hajj pilgrimage

Local Conservatives campaigned on the reopening of Broadmead Road Bridge (Image: Redbridge Council)

Local Conservatives campaigned on the reopening of Broadmead Road Bridge (Image: Redbridge Council)

Conservatives buck national trend in local elections

MP Jas Athwal welcomes the changes to driving tests that means only learners can book them (Image: PA)

MP Jas Athwal welcomes the changes to driving tests that means only learners can book them (Image: PA)

Jas Athwal, Labour MP for Ilford South

Labour victory in Ilford as focus turns to delivery

Everyday freedoms should be remembered as a value worth protecting (Image: PA)

Everyday freedoms should be remembered as a value worth protecting (Image: PA)

Memories of freedom and why it must never be taken for granted

Wes Streeting joined other MPs at the Big Iftar hosted by Parliament in March (Image: Wes Streeting)

Wes Streeting joined other MPs at the Big Iftar hosted by Parliament in March (Image: Wes Streeting)

From doorsteps to faith festivals, what community means to me

I am proud of myself, disability and all, and I think it has come from being in a community that accepts themselves, that has helped me accept myself.

I am proud of myself, disability and all, and I think it has come from being in a community that accepts themselves, that has helped me accept myself.

MPs have Disabled people's 'lives in their hands' but do they really understand?

Jas Athwal MP has said he will intervene in a ground rent dispute

Jas Athwal MP has said he will intervene in a ground rent dispute

Ilford MP intervenes in ground rent dispute after homeowner 'left in limbo'

Pupils from Churchfields Junior discuss solar energy at the Houses of Parliament

Pupils from Churchfields Junior discuss solar energy at the Houses of Parliament

Pupils look to the future with MPs on green energy

A by-election has been triggered after Bayo Alaba stepped down as a councillor

A by-election has been triggered after Bayo Alaba stepped down as a councillor

Redbridge Council

Newly-elected MP's resignation as councillor triggers by-election

Jas Athwal MP has said he is 'profoundly sorry' for alleged faults in some of his 15 rental properties

Jas Athwal MP has said he is 'profoundly sorry' for alleged faults in some of his 15 rental properties

MP ‘profoundly sorry’ for alleged ‘pretty serious faults’ in flats he rents out

Leanne Mohamad and volunteers during her election campaign

Leanne Mohamad and volunteers during her election campaign

How I came so close to beating Wes Streeting as an independent candidate

Labour MP Wes Streeting held onto his Ilford North seat - but only just

Labour MP Wes Streeting held onto his Ilford North seat - but only just

General Election 2024

Full Ilford North results as Wes Streeting narrowly avoids shock loss

Jas Athwal won the Ilford South seat for Labour in his election debut

Jas Athwal won the Ilford South seat for Labour in his election debut

General Election

Full results for the Ilford South constituency as Jas Athwal wins big

Sam Tarry, who was Ilford South MP from 2019 until May 2024. Credit: HM Government

Sam Tarry, who was Ilford South MP from 2019 until May 2024. Credit: HM Government

Former MP's farewell message to town he represented

Ilford North MP Wes Streeting made the comments on X

Ilford North MP Wes Streeting made the comments on X

MP slams 'disgusting' poster showing him 'handcuffed and with a taped mouth'

Cllr Linda Huggett told Redbridge Council that “impartial scrutiny and genuine local democracy” would die under the new system

Cllr Linda Huggett told Redbridge Council that “impartial scrutiny and genuine local democracy” would die under the new system

Redbridge Council

'Mockery and farce' as council opposition leader stripped of guaranteed scrutiny role

Cedric Knight protests outside Barclays bank on Ilford High Road

Cedric Knight protests outside Barclays bank on Ilford High Road

Extinction Rebellion activists target “worst banker of fossil fuels”

The latest proposed parliamentary constituency boundaries in Redbridge

The latest proposed parliamentary constituency boundaries in Redbridge

Boundary Commission

Latest plans for Redbridge constituency boundaries revealed

Ilford South MP Sam Tarry has called for

Ilford South MP Sam Tarry has called for

"Properly funded policing" needed to tackle gun crime after two shot dead

Victim Kamran Khalid died at the scene on October 28.

Victim Kamran Khalid died at the scene on October 28.

Kamran Khalid death: PM does not say whether he will meet teen's mum

Barking MP Margaret Hodge and Ilford South MP Sam Tarry have criticised the foreign aid cut.

Barking MP Margaret Hodge and Ilford South MP Sam Tarry have criticised the foreign aid cut.

Conservative Party

How did your MP vote on cutting foreign aid?

Council leader Cllr Jas Athwal has blasted Redbridge's allocation under the Levelling Up Fund, questioning why the borough has fallen into the lowest need category.

Council leader Cllr Jas Athwal has blasted Redbridge's allocation under the Levelling Up Fund, questioning why the borough has fallen into the lowest need category.

Redbridge Council

Redbridge should be higher up queue for Levelling Up Fund says council leader

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has confirmed the £20 a week Universal Credit uplift will be extended until the end of September.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has confirmed the £20 a week Universal Credit uplift will be extended until the end of September.

Universal Credit uplift extension confirmed as latest claimant numbers released by DWP

Ilford North MP Wes Streeting as questioned the withdrawing the £20 weekly uplift to Universal Credit in a session with the DWP.

Ilford North MP Wes Streeting as questioned the withdrawing the £20 weekly uplift to Universal Credit in a session with the DWP.

'Scrapping Universal Credit uplift will lead to poverty', MP says

South Ilford MP Sam Tarry has spoken to The Recorder about his first year as an MP, which has coincided with the most unprecedented in recent history.

South Ilford MP Sam Tarry has spoken to The Recorder about his first year as an MP, which has coincided with the most unprecedented in recent history.

A first year on the job that nobody saw coming - Ilford South's Sam Tarry talks 2020