A new political force has emerged in Harrow, breaking the long-standing duopoly of the Conservative and Labour parties. Arise, a grassroots party formed after the 2024 general election, won its first council seat in the May 2026 local elections, marking the first time since 2014 that a non-Labour or Conservative candidate has been elected in the borough.
Who Are Arise?
Registered with the Electoral Commission in June 2025, Arise was created by local residents who felt that established parties had failed the community. The party officially launched at Victoria Hall on August 27, 2025, with former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn speaking at the event. Arise is considered a local arm of Corbyn's Your Party and is expected to merge into the national movement.
Leader Pamela Fitzpatrick, a former Labour councillor, emphasized that the party selected only candidates with a proven track record of community activism. "Our campaign was one of positivity and inclusivity, focusing on the key issues affecting local people rather than on personalities and personal attacks," she said.
Election Success
In the May 7 elections, Arise contested 11 seats across five wards. While the Conservatives retained control of Harrow Council with an increased majority, Arise candidate Pamela Fitzpatrick won in Marlborough ward with 878 votes, sandwiched between two Labour winners. The party came close to securing a second seat in Marlborough, missing by fewer than 100 votes, and one candidate in Headstone received over 1,000 votes, falling about 400 short. In Wealdstone South, an Arise candidate was just 34 votes behind the Labour winner.
Who Is Pamela Fitzpatrick?
Pamela Fitzpatrick has lived in Marlborough for 26 years and previously served as a Labour councillor from 2014 to 2022. She was expelled from the Labour Party in November 2021 after being investigated for membership in Socialist Appeal, a group proscribed by Labour's NEC. Fitzpatrick has consistently denied being a member. She stood as an Independent in the 2024 general election for Harrow West, finishing third.
Outside politics, Fitzpatrick has been a school governor and chair of governors, worked in the voluntary sector, and is a trustee of two local charities. In 2008, she acted as litigation friend for her mother in a successful judicial review challenging a council policy that limited social care. For the past 16 years, she has run the Harrow Law Centre, providing free legal advice and representation.
What Does Arise Stand For?
Arise aims to be the voice for residents in the council chamber, challenging the status quo on three key issues: housing, education, and poverty.
Housing
Fitzpatrick criticized both Labour and Conservative housing policies, stating they have exacerbated the housing crisis. "Overpriced, poor quality tower blocks dominate the borough, while many stand empty as overseas investments. Expensive private rentals and HMOs are increasing, and properties are often left in disrepair with damp and mould," she said.
Education
On education, Fitzpatrick noted that while politicians boast about the system, there is an alarming number of children excluded from school, many with special educational needs. This often forces parents to give up work or leaves older children vulnerable to criminal gangs. She also highlighted long waits for Education, Health and Care Plans.
Poverty
Fitzpatrick pointed to low pay, high housing costs, and high council tax as key drivers of poverty. "Trust for London research shows that almost a quarter of workers in Harrow receive pay below the London Living Wage. Harrow has one of the lowest levels of council housing, approximately 5,000 homes, forcing low-income residents into expensive private rentals. Our council tax is among the highest in London, and our council tax support scheme is one of the meanest," she said.
Arise's emergence signals a potential shift in Harrow's political landscape, offering voters an alternative to the traditional two-party system.
