“Tower Hamlets needs a competent Mayor”

Council leader joins Tower Hamlets Mayoral race 2010
Emdad Rahman
Five times Council Leader Helal Uddin Abbas has spoken of his desire to become the first directly elected Mayor of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

Abbas was given a reprieve last week after the Labour party’s decision to re-run its process for shortlisting contenders to become the first executive mayor of Tower Hamlets.

Speaking exclusively, the member for Spitalfields and Banglatown highlighted his vision for the high powered role. “Tower Hamlets needs a competent Mayor. I am an adept leader and have proven that I can turn the fortune of failing services.

“Social Services is now a 3 star service and the attainment levels of our children has improved remarkably. “

Abbas has a proven track record and is a mature and knowledgeable politician, equipped in the art of safely negotiating the minefield of local politics.
“I can lead from the front, and Tower Hamlets is a richer place than when I started. “
On the local electorate vote to appoint a Mayor he said; “We are where we are – the voters have spoken and we have to respect that. The voters voted in favour of having a directly elected Mayor during the recent referendum.

“I for one, who believes in democracy, will respect that, and what is important is that we get a competent, stable and skilful Mayor who will protect frontline services, who will provide services to elderly and vulnerable people, and reach out to all communities, black, white, Muslim, and non Muslim.”

Abbas has highlighted his top three priorities should he emerge top of the Tower Hamlets Labour pyramid; “my first priority is to continue to provide excellent education services that we have built up for our children and their future.

“Second is to ensure social, accessible and affordable housing for our communities.
“Thirdly, it is important to make sure to make sure there are youth and leisure facilities for both young and old, so that we can enjoy the environment that we live in, so that we can build relationships with our activities.”

Abbas states that he always leads by example; “I believe that whoever the Mayor , he or she reach out to not only people of their own party but to others, whilst retaining links with their own colleagues.”

“I will work closely with fellow politicians if I have the honour and privilege to be elected.

“I will certainly work to shape and mould Tower Hamlets to become a borough that we can all be proud of.”

The mayoral system is enormous and new to Tower hamlets. It is a major diversion from the structure that the people are used to. Therefore it is important that the right candidates enter the coliseum.

“It’s essential that we get the right person”, say’s Abbas, adding, “Skills, experience and personality are important. We need a Mayor that is outgoing, makes strong decisions, and who will work with people and stand by people in good times and bad times.”