Arriving in the UK twenty four years ago with a degree in finance, I built my career from the ground up. Starting in an office job, I went on to establish a successful fashion retail business, then a restaurant, and most recently a sustainability company supporting the transition to a zero-carbon economy. Each step required clear goals, hard work and the ability to bring people together to deliver results.
That same determination has shaped my work in public service. After being elected as a Labour councillor in 2018, I worked constructively with colleagues across the political spectrum and was elected Speaker and Civic Mayor of Lewisham, roles I have been honoured to serve in with dedication and energy.
In 2019, I drafted and moved the motion that led Lewisham to declare a Climate Emergency, making it the first council in London to do so. Since then, Lewisham has become one of the highest-rated councils in the UK for its environmental commitments. I later represented Lewisham at the COP26 climate conference, sharing ideas with local government leaders from around the world on tackling the climate crisis.
I also helped draft the environmental section of Lewisham Labour’s 2022 local election manifesto, ensuring that climate action and sustainability remained central to our vision for the borough.
Being elected Speaker and Civic Mayor for four consecutive terms has been a great privilege. In that role I have attended and supported hundreds of community events, charities and local festivals, helping strengthen the bonds between the council and Lewisham’s diverse communities.
During the second Covid lockdown, I established a food support initiative that delivered 120 free hot meals every day for two months to residents facing financial hardship.
I remain active in local campaigns and community life, speaking at rallies to save Lewisham Hospital, improve air quality, support safe cycling, promote food justice and climate justice, and defend our community when the far-right attempts to mobilise in our borough.
As Civic Mayor, I also work closely with Lewisham’s multi-faith communities. I regularly represent the council at Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Muslim and Buddhist events, and I am committed to promoting tolerance, respect and inclusivity.
In challenging times, I believe communities must come together to build a more equal Britain, one that serves everyone, while playing our part in creating a safer and more sustainable world.
Combat food poverty in UK
Hold the government accountable for meaningful action on climate change.
Advocate for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and work towards a lasting peace solution.
Protect and strengthen the NHS and GP services, halting their decline.
Champion the development of more social housing to address the housing crisis.
Support electoral reform to end the dominance of the two-party system and promote fair representation.
Moved the motion in council to declare the climate emergency in council to make it first council in london to do so.
I initiated the project to need to feed. I secured some money from a national charity and then raised the funds by myself with contributions of myself, my friends and families, and local communities to run the project.
I led the campaign to save the green piece of land where developer wanted to develop the private development with no social housing elements into it
I will campaign to bring green initiative to UK, which will support local economy, reduce carbon footprint, help households to save the energy.
Lobby central government in invest in NHS, which will cut down the long waiting time, better access to GP surgeries, and fair pay for NHS staff.
Better economic plan and taxes, which compensate the working class population to suffer from cost of living crisis.
I am also a voluntary Director of a local community energy company called SELCE CO-OP.
I am the father of three kids, who are 15, 14 and 10 (No partner as I am divorced)
I have been a Labour member for the past 8 years. I first contested the London borough of Lewisham local council election in 2018 and topped the 12 candidates with the highest vote in the ward. I then contested again in 2022 and again stayed number 1 in securing the vote out of all 12 candidates.
I am a great supporter of trade unions and a member of UNITE and UNISON.
I have been serving as Speaker and Civic Mayor of Lewisham council since 2020, now serving my 4th term (annual) as civic Mayor. I am also vice president of London Mayors’ Association
I am 1 of 5 kids, a farmer father and educationist mother who campaigned her whole life for education for women in remote areas of Pakistan and opened the first school for girls in our own building where she started teaching the girls despite much local opposition to it. Now in my area every household has graduate and master degree holders women, and people still remember my late mother as mother and noble woman of the area who single handedly changed the whole outlook of the area with much more literacy rate in women than men. She always taught me the importance of giving back to the community and how education can change lives.
My whole upbringing was in the environment where serving the local community has always been a priority in our household as my father served as councilor, my grandfather served as councilor and member of district board. We always grew up seeing people knocking our door in the middle of the night for help, even sometimes only for free paracetamol.
I also have a history of family serving in the British Army, my great grandfather served in the British Indian Army in the Hong Kong Regiment and fought WW1. He was awarded two titles, first was “Khan Bahdur” which means brave khan for his bravery in war, and second was British knighthood of CIE (Companion of Indian Empire).
I don’t have a CV as I have not looked for a job for a very long time! but here is my linked-In page www.linkedin.com/in/tauseef-anwar-46639480
Over the past 8 years I have been actively involved with The Labour Party , I have campaigned both locally and nationally in every election, from Stevenage, Southend, Peterborough, Thurrock, Batley and many local marginal constituencies like Croydon, Putney and Eltham. I have engaged in all campaigns, from door knocking to leafleting, attending meetings of local community and engagement groups.
I have been involved in many local campaigns, including chairing and managing local campaigns to save our green spaces from controversial developments.
I have spoken at many rallies of the BLM movement, joined the picket line with British Gas workers , Junior doctors and Railway workers.
I have also spoken at countless anti-racism events, as well as various faith venues and to many thousands of people such as Eid gatherings. I have always encouraged youth to be politically active and to join the Labour Party.
I can speak three languages (Urud, English and Punjabi) and am able to interact and relate with many diverse communities, from business communities, BAME communities to Muslim communities.
I have always been an active part of our annual multi-faith walk and greatly involved in multi-faith events.
If I describe my politics in 3 words, It will be socialism, equality and climate justice.
Here I will describe some of my proudest acheivements. In February 2019 I moved the motion to declare the climate emergency in my council which was passed and we successfully became the first council to declare a climate emergency in London. This has made a huge difference locally, we have now linked every council decision with a climate emergcy action plan, massive carbon reduction initiatives and calculated around 1/3 less air pollution in Lewisham in the past 2 years Taking lead in climate actions made me very popular in local communities. Furthermore I had the opportunity to conduct a workshop around this at the Lewisham Labour Party. It is incredible to be part of such a cause that will impact and benefit generations to come. I have also represented Lewisham in COP-26 where I took part in discussions with many leaders of local governments around the world.
Alongside the climate emergency, I have supported many local causes, this has included the Save Lewisham Hospital Campaign, where I have spoken at their rallies against the NHS cuts and privatisations, better pay for nurses, NHS anniversary etc. . Another campaign was the Goldsmiths Teachers pay rise event. These local initiatives are incredibly powerful and are the essence of my dedication to the party.
In the midst of the second wave and last lockdown, I started the free hot meal project for those in need.. We served over five thousands meals to those in need including NHS and key workers. This initiative was highly appreciated locally, when there were ariound 1600 people dying everyday, people were scared to get out of the houses to buy groceries, I was out with my kids and volunteers delivering hot meals to those in need.
I have a history of standing by my constituents and have always been known for being a very accessible councilor who will answer your phone even at 10pm at night. I have also tried to engage those voices who never felt they are part of the council.
I helped local residents start a group called “climate actions Lewisham”, which is actively engaged with the council in addressing the climate emergency. I have also spoken at a rally of the air quality and safe cycling group. . I am also a member of the culture and diversity advisory forum, which was set up by Lewisham council in partnership with the Mayor of London, to look at diversity in the public realm. I have also contributed as a member of the task and finish group to decarbonisation of housing stock.
As a local elected politician my involvement in the community can be seen locally as I have proved myself that I can lead and manage the successful campaign. I have experienced harsh realities in my life, have first-hand experience of being a working class person to setting up successfully my own business.
This is the area where I need to work more.
However, firstly I can say this seat is one of those red wall seats which Labour needs to win and I always thought If I don’t get an opportunity in London I will contest there at one of marginal seats.
NE Derbyshire was held by Labour till 2017 and now we can definitely win this seat with the right amount of work and efforts involved in it. One thing I learned from Labour colleagues is that in NE Derbyshire, the biggest task is to bring Labour supporters out on the voting day to vote as many of them are passive supporters. I am confident that I can run a robust campaign and win the majority from there. I have a very big friend and family circle around England, and all of them are happy to come and give me a hand to win this constitutency.
One more thing which I consider is important, and people in Labour party headquarter are aware of this, that conservtive party always put the BAME background candidates from predominantly white population areas but Labour put only BAME candidates in BAME population areas, and people of BAME communities who always vote Labour do take notice of this. Myself contesting from NE Derbyshire will also be an little effort to change this prospective.
This constituency is an old mining town with a mix of economic background. I understand we do need to focus on better transport links, more local jobs and green infrastructure.
