A new political force has stepped onto the Harrow stage. Arise has announced its full list of council candidates for the May 2026 local elections, standing in four wards and positioning itself as a grassroots alternative to Labour and the Conservatives.
Launched in Harrow last year with the backing of Jeremy Corbyn MP, Arise is led by Pamela Fitzpatrick, a former Harrow councillor, parliamentary candidate and director of the Peace and Justice Project. The party says it was created by residents who believe Harrow has been “neglected for too long” and want a new, locally rooted political platform.
Explaining the motivation behind Arise, Fitzpatrick said: “Whether it’s Labour or Conservative in council or in government, we have the same thing: people are struggling in Harrow, and they need change.”
Announcing the candidates, the party stressed that while some bring formal political experience, Arise’s real strength lies in candidates already embedded in neighbourhood initiatives — volunteering, organising and delivering practical support to local people.
Arise council candidates
Marlborough Ward
Pamela Fitzpatrick – Dedicated community campaigner and former Harrow councillor. A Marlborough resident who works at a Harrow-based legal advice centre she founded.
Asha Mohamed – Harrow resident of over 30 years, with 19 years’ experience in the charity sector, community work and activism.
Sheila Guhadason – Marlborough resident for 20 years, accomplished campaigner on housing and charity issues, and an advocate for Palestinian human rights.
Roxeth Ward
Farid Mall – Harrow resident for 27 years and long-standing supporter of vulnerable people and children’s wellbeing through charities.
Kirsten Perkins – Raised and educated in Harrow, a community activist focused on tackling the housing crisis and empowering young people.
Yihya Sirhan – Harrow resident of over 20 years, active on education, food poverty and housing development, and a strong supporter of local businesses.
Wealdstone North
Faran Khan – Born and raised in Harrow, dedicated to supporting families in need and local businesses, with a focus on revitalising Wealdstone High Street.
Dante Korjov – Raised in Wealdstone, experienced in food bank support and anti-poverty campaigning, an advocate for private renters and Palestinian rights.
Wealdstone South
Aghileh Djafari Marbini – Ward resident who founded a local organisation supporting over 100 families, a school governor and trustee of a local pre-school.
Paul Crimmins – Ward resident for 40 years, former chair of Harrow Trades Council, now volunteering with a Wealdstone charity supporting families.
Arise says its door-to-door canvassing is about more than promoting a party.
“Behind every door in Harrow is a story,” Fitzpatrick said. “We’re meeting people who inspire us, as well as many who really need the change we want to bring to Harrow. It’s not too late to be part of that change.”
With its emphasis on community organising and lived local experience, Arise is aiming to turn that message into votes when Harrow goes to the polls in 2026.
Launched in Harrow last year with the backing of Jeremy Corbyn MP, Arise is led by Pamela Fitzpatrick, a former Harrow councillor, parliamentary candidate and director of the Peace and Justice Project. The party says it was created by residents who believe Harrow has been “neglected for too long” and want a new, locally rooted political platform.
Explaining the motivation behind Arise, Fitzpatrick said: “Whether it’s Labour or Conservative in council or in government, we have the same thing: people are struggling in Harrow, and they need change.”
Announcing the candidates, the party stressed that while some bring formal political experience, Arise’s real strength lies in candidates already embedded in neighbourhood initiatives — volunteering, organising and delivering practical support to local people.
Arise council candidates
Marlborough Ward
Pamela Fitzpatrick – Dedicated community campaigner and former Harrow councillor. A Marlborough resident who works at a Harrow-based legal advice centre she founded.
Asha Mohamed – Harrow resident of over 30 years, with 19 years’ experience in the charity sector, community work and activism.
Sheila Guhadason – Marlborough resident for 20 years, accomplished campaigner on housing and charity issues, and an advocate for Palestinian human rights.
Roxeth Ward
Farid Mall – Harrow resident for 27 years and long-standing supporter of vulnerable people and children’s wellbeing through charities.
Kirsten Perkins – Raised and educated in Harrow, a community activist focused on tackling the housing crisis and empowering young people.
Yihya Sirhan – Harrow resident of over 20 years, active on education, food poverty and housing development, and a strong supporter of local businesses.
Wealdstone North
Faran Khan – Born and raised in Harrow, dedicated to supporting families in need and local businesses, with a focus on revitalising Wealdstone High Street.
Dante Korjov – Raised in Wealdstone, experienced in food bank support and anti-poverty campaigning, an advocate for private renters and Palestinian rights.
Wealdstone South
Aghileh Djafari Marbini – Ward resident who founded a local organisation supporting over 100 families, a school governor and trustee of a local pre-school.
Paul Crimmins – Ward resident for 40 years, former chair of Harrow Trades Council, now volunteering with a Wealdstone charity supporting families.
Arise says its door-to-door canvassing is about more than promoting a party.
“Behind every door in Harrow is a story,” Fitzpatrick said. “We’re meeting people who inspire us, as well as many who really need the change we want to bring to Harrow. It’s not too late to be part of that change.”
With its emphasis on community organising and lived local experience, Arise is aiming to turn that message into votes when Harrow goes to the polls in 2026.
Harrow Monitoring Group 