Bangladesh-Born Sabina Akhtar Wins 4th Straight London Election

A British-Bangladeshi councillor from Moulvibazar has once again made political history in London, securing a fourth consecutive victory in the Tower Hamlets Council elections.

Sabina Akhtar, originally from Kulaura in Moulvibazar district, was re-elected from Stepney Green ward after winning 1,940 votes as a candidate for the Aspire Party. The official result was announced on Saturday, 9 May 2026.

Her latest victory has been widely celebrated among the Bangladeshi community in the United Kingdom, while messages of congratulations have also poured in from her hometown in Kulaura and across Moulvibazar.

​​​​Born in Osmanpur village under Baramchal Union in Kulaura, Sabina Akhtar comes from a respected family. She is the daughter of noted community figure Faruk Uddin Sundor.

Alongside her role as councillor for Stepney Green, she currently serves as a cabinet member responsible for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care at Tower Hamlets Council, one of the authority’s most significant portfolios.

Sabina Akhtar’s political career in London spans nearly two decades. For many years, she was an active member of the Labour Party and later became Deputy Leader of the Tower Hamlets Labour Group.

In 2017, she made history by becoming the first British-Bangladeshi woman to be elected Speaker of Tower Hamlets Council, a milestone regarded as a proud moment for the wider British-Bangladeshi community.

In June 2024, disagreements over party policy and political direction led to her resignation from Labour. She later joined the Aspire Party, where she continued her political work and local campaigning.

Residents and community leaders describe her as a politician closely connected to grassroots issues. Over the years, she has worked extensively with Bangladeshi diaspora communities in London, particularly focusing on elderly welfare, social isolation, community engagement and access to healthcare services.

Despite her busy political life in Britain, she has maintained strong ties with her roots in Bangladesh. She has supported educational institutions and charitable initiatives in Kulaura and surrounding areas through financial assistance and humanitarian work.

Speaking after the result, Sabina Akhtar thanked local residents for placing their trust in her once again.

She said: “Alhamdulillah, I am deeply honoured and humbled to have been re-elected as Councillor for Stepney Green Ward in Tower Hamlets alongside my colleague Councillor Abdul Wahid.

“Thank you to every resident who placed their trust and confidence in us. This victory belongs to our whole community, to every volunteer, supporter, neighbour, friend and family member who stood with us throughout this campaign.

“I am committed to working tirelessly for all residents, listening to your concerns and standing up for the issues that matter most to our community, from cleaner streets and safer neighbourhoods to better housing, youth opportunities and stronger local services.

“I am deeply grateful to residents for re-electing me for the fourth time. It means a great deal to me, and I want to work even harder for the people of Stepney Green.

“Stepney Green is a vibrant and proud community, and we look forward to serving residents with dedication, honesty and compassion. My colleague and I will continue working with full commitment under the leadership of Mayor Lutfur Rahman and the Aspire team. The real work starts now.”

Her fourth consecutive electoral victory is being viewed by many as a sign of the growing influence and political maturity of the British-Bangladeshi community within London local government.