Harrow residents have been failed time and time again by both Labour and the Conservatives, and that is why I am supporting the Arise Party, a new progressive movement rooted in our borough and standing in local elections for the very first time. As a member and supporter of Arise, I have seen firsthand the commitment to delivering real change for our community.
Arise was officially launched in Harrow on August 27, 2025, at Victoria Hall on Sheepcote Road, bringing together residents determined to build a fairer future. The launch was addressed by Jeremy Corbyn, alongside local voices including myself, reflecting the growing momentum behind this grassroots movement. The party was established by a dedicated team of Harrow residents, including Pamela Fitzpatrick, who is heading the party, and former Harrow councillor who stood as a Labour parliamentary candidate in 2019 and as an independent in 2024.
For years, promises have been made by the main parties, yet the reality on the ground tells a very different story. Housing has become increasingly unaffordable, with rents rising far beyond what ordinary families can sustain. A According to the Office for National Statistics (latest available data, January–February 2026), average house prices in Harrow stand at around £532,000, while private rents average approximately £1,752 per month. At the same time, Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) are appearing across the borough. Officially, the council defines HMOs as shared homes occupied by three or more unrelated people, subject to licensing rules due to concerns around overcrowding, housing standards, and safety. Around 927 are currently listed on Harrow Council’s public HMO register (latest available data, 2025). This trend does not benefit the average resident; instead, it rewards wealthy developers and landlords while eroding the quality of life for local communities.
The need for genuinely affordable social housing in Harrow has never been more urgent. Families are being priced out of their own neighbourhoods, forced into overcrowded or insecure living conditions. Introducing effective rent controls is no longer a radical idea, it is a necessary step to restore balance and fairness in the housing market.
Beyond housing, the broader cost of living crisis continues to hit Harrow residents hard. Energy bills, groceries, and everyday essentials have all surged in price, yet wages have failed to keep pace. For many, simply getting by has become a daily struggle.
Equally concerning is how Harrow has struggled to meet the needs of some of its most vulnerable residents. According to Harrow Council’s latest Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) data from the 2025 SEN2 return and High Needs update, around 2,689 children and young people in the borough have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), up from 2,370 the previous year, with numbers continuing to rise sharply. Despite this level of need, provision remains under significant pressure, with limited specialist school places and rising demand placing strain on local services.
Harrow Council’s SEND Local Offer and provision data (updated 2024) shows that the borough has only a small number of special schools, with capacity under increasing pressure as EHCP demand continues to rise year on year. This has contributed to delays and challenges in securing appropriate school placements for some children.
Children with Special Educational Needs are therefore not always receiving timely or adequate educational support, leaving families without the provision they are legally entitled to. Disabled residents, too, often face barriers in accessing consistent care and support services, reflecting wider pressure on local authority adult social care provision.
Arise offers a different approach, one rooted in real community experience. Their candidates are Harrow residents who have been working for the community for many years, not career politicians seeking status. They understand that tackling crime means addressing its root causes, such as poverty and lack of opportunity, and they recognise the importance of community spaces in bringing people together in a diverse borough like ours.
This is backed by a strong and dedicated network of volunteers who have been actively campaigning since the party’s launch. Across the wards where Arise is standing candidates, volunteers have been out knocking on doors, listening to residents, and sharing their message. Drive through these areas and you will see Arise boards outside homes, posters in shop windows, and campaigners engaging directly with the community, clear signs of a movement that is both visible and deeply rooted locally.
In the upcoming local elections, Arise is standing 11 candidates across five wards. With 22 wards and 55 councillors in Harrow, this represents a serious and credible effort to bring new voices into local government and begin reshaping the council to better reflect the needs of its residents. I have personally interviewed these candidates and know that they are all deeply rooted in the Harrow community, united by a shared commitment to the Arise vision and goals.
Their priorities reflect the real needs of residents: expanding social housing, introducing rent controls, supporting community supermarkets, establishing social funds, providing free school meals and uniforms, and working towards free adult home social care. Of course, they will also ensure cleaner streets, tackle fly-tipping, and improve road safety, but their vision goes far beyond surface level fixes.
These are real issues affecting real people. Harrow has been let down for too long. It is time for a new approach, and that is why I stand with Arise.
Feature photo: Dr Muhammad Asaria and Jeremy Corbyn MP address a packed Victoria Hall in Harrow at the launch of Arise on August 27, 2025 (Credit: Dr Muhammad Asaria)
