About John
A local voice for Canning Town South
I'm John Morris. I was first elected to Newham Council in 2022, representing Plaistow West and Canning Town East, before standing — and being elected — as your councillor for Canning Town South in 2026. This is home ground for me: I know its streets, its estates, and the issues that matter to the people who live here, because I live here too.
I stood for the council because I was tired of seeing residents get passed between departments on issues that should be simple to fix. Whether it's a repair that's been outstanding for months or a planning application nobody was told about, my job is to make the council work for you, not the other way around.
Priorities
What I'm working on
Housing that's fit to live in
Pushing the council and housing associations to fix repairs quickly and build genuinely affordable homes as the area regenerates.
A cleaner, safer neighbourhood
Backing better street cleansing, more reliable bin collections, and a visible, responsive approach to anti-social behaviour.
A community that isn't left behind by regeneration
Making sure long-standing residents benefit from investment in Canning Town South, not just newer developments.
Honest, responsive representation
Being upfront about what the council can and can't do, replying promptly, and following through on casework.
Journey
How I got here
- 2026
Elected as Councillor for Canning Town South
In the 2026 local elections, John, with his deep links to Canning Town, chose to stand in Canning Town South on a platform of cleaner, safer, and greener streets. He also hopes to make Hallsville Quarter its own town centre.
- 2022–2026
Elected as Councillor for Plaistow West and Canning Town East
Elected to Newham Council to represent Plaistow West and Canning Town East, after several years of campaigning and volunteering locally. While serving on the Council, he was appointed the Deputy Cabinet Member for Highways and Sustainable Transport. He oversaw major projects such as the expansion of Healthy School Streets, West Ham LTN, the Royal Docks Corridor, and the Romford Road Improvement Scheme, among others. He also sat on the pensions and strategic development committees.
- 2019–2022
Local campaigning and community volunteering
Volunteered with local community groups, campaigning on housing standards, transport, and environmental causes. John saw first hand the transformation of Canning Town and supported local businesses like Yapix and Chill.
- Before
Grew up in Newham
Born in Newham and having lived around Canning Town for over three decades, with deep family and community ties to the area. His paternal grandparents lived in the area, and his father was raised in Canning Town, while both of his maternal grandparents were born in Manor Park. John spent most of his life in Plaistow, going to school in Portway and Lister.
Official council profile
You can also view John's official councillor profile, register of interests, and committee membership on the Newham Council website.
View Newham Council profile