Greens get down to work in Hackney

THE GREEN PARTY is settling down to work in Hackney, following its shock take-over of the traditionally Labour Council.

Zoë Garbett is the new Mayor. She had a ringing endorsement from the voters, winning 46.9% of the vote on polling day. She will be supported by 42 Green Councillors. The opposition consists of nine Labour Councillors and six Conservative Councillors.

The Mayoral result
Zoë Garbett, Green Party, 35,720
Caroline Woodley, Labour Party, 26,865
Tareke Gregg, Conservative Party, 6,345
Vahid Almasi, Reform UK, 4,013
Eva Steinhardt, Liberal Democrats, 2,731

The new Mayor lost no time in appointing her first Cabinet – with a majority of women in post. Cllr Dylan Law has been appointed as the Statutory Deputy Mayor. He will also take on responsibility for housing. Other Cabinet members are:
•Cllr Alastair Binnie-Lubbock, Cabinet member for Regeneration, Planning and Inclusive Neighbourhoods
•Cllr Florence Schechter, Cabinet member for Finance, Resident Services and Digital
•Cllr Soraya Adejare, Cabinet member for Children, Young People and Early Intervention
•Cllr Sam Mathys, Cabinet member for Culture, Nightlife, Resilience and Business Standards
•Cllr Rachel Nkiessu-Guifo, Cabinet member for Inclusive Economy, Skills, High Streets and Markets
•Cllr Laura-Louise Fairley, Deputy Cabinet member for SEND Support
•Cllr Abi Kingston, Deputy Cabinet member for Homelessness Prevention and Temporary Accommodation
Further appointments are expected in the coming days.

Mayor Zoe Garbett

Mayor Garbett responded to her election with a message of hope, saying:
“I’m so proud that Hackney has put its faith not just in me as the new Mayor of Hackney, but an incredible group of new councillors who believe that Hackney can change for the better.
“My new Cabinet has deep roots across Hackney, reflecting the borough’s diversity, its solidarity, and its communities. Together, we were elected on a message of hope for Hackney. The team I have appointed has the passion, talent, and experience to turn that hope into real change.”

It may not be all over for Labour. Defeated Councillors may still be licking their wounds, but they will soon be looking for something to do. The local Party can expect a flood of former councillors to wash into their meetings – and probably to stand foroffice. Former councillors are likely to lead Labour Party campaigning. It will do them good to get back to the streets.

However, the Green Surge of May 2026 was not a complaint that Labour wasn’t working hard enough. It was the result of electors trying to make Labour listen. Whether Hackney’s voters will respond to Labour campaign teams on their doorsteps will depend on whether Labour elects a new national Leader and, even more importantly, what policies Labour, nationally and locally, puts across.

●Read more about it:
Starmer loses it for Hackney to the Green surge
Persistent shoplifters caught on camera in Hackney