Hackney 2026 Election: Labour vs Greens Manifestos

Key Points

• Hackney residents will vote on May 7, 2026, for local councillors and the directly-elected Mayor.
• Labour currently controls Hackney Council, a position held for all but four years in the last five decades.
• Opinion polls indicate Labour could lose control, with the Green Party mounting a strong challenge in this Labour stronghold.
• The contest is viewed as a two-horse race between Labour and Greens.
• Labour’s manifesto includes 10 pledges such as cutting council tax for low-income residents and replacing council homes lost to right to buy.
• Green Party manifesto emphasises anti-austerity, housing expansion, rent controls, and community-led initiatives across chapters on housing, economy, safety, and environment.
• Candidates for Mayor include Labour’s Caroline Woodley, Green Party’s Zoë Garbett, Reform UK’s Vahid Almasi, Conservative’s Tareke Gregg, and Liberal Democrat’s Eva Steinhardt.
• Polls from YouGov and JL Partners project Greens leading in Hackney.
• Reform UK’s Almasi promises safer streets, more homes, and fixing Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs).
• Green sources expect to take Hackney, while Labour anticipates challenges.

Hackney (East London Times) May 5, 2026 –Hackney residents face a pivotal vote on Thursday, May 7, 2026, selecting both local councillors and a directly-elected Mayor, with Labour’s long-held control of the council at risk from a surging Green Party challenge. Opinion polls suggest Labour could lose its dominance in the borough, which it has governed for all but four years over the past five decades, amid dissatisfaction over housing, public services, and national issues like Gaza. The race is widely seen as a contest between Labour and Greens, who aim to break through in this stronghold.

What Does Labour’s Manifesto Promise for Hackney?

Labour, led by mayoral candidate Caroline Woodley, has published a manifesto titled “Hackney Leading the Way,” outlining 10 key pledges for the next four years.

As detailed on the Hackney Labour website, the pledges include cutting council tax for low-income residents, replacing council homes lost to right to buy, and introducing rent-controlled homes for key workers.

The manifesto also commits to providing two new special schools for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), cutting mobile phone theft by half by 2030, and increasing street sweepers by 25% to keep streets clean.

Further promises cover bringing cheaper, cleaner energy to 4,500 council households by 2030, doubling investment in apprenticeships, delivering an affordable food network in every neighbourhood, and celebrating art, culture, and communities in every ward.

Mayor Caroline Woodley stated in the manifesto foreword,

“There is so much more to do. We will not let the stories and sacrifices of the people who have built Hackney be forgotten. We will continue to welcome those who seek refuge”.

The document emphasises putting more money in residents’ pockets, lowering energy bills, and providing accessible council housing.

What Are the Green Party’s Key Manifesto Commitments?

As reported by the Hackney Green Party website, their 2026 manifesto, shaped by community input, spans nine chapters including housing, economy, safety, and environment.

Foreword by mayoral candidate Zoë Garbett highlights worsening inequality and pledges to lead a national anti-austerity campaign for restored council funding.

On housing, Greens promise building new council homes on council land, using pension funds for buy-backs, and establishing a ‘Housing for London’ company with neighbours.

They commit to phasing in 100% council tax relief for lowest-income residents, supporting food co-operatives on estates by 2030, and expanding landlord licensing borough-wide.

Safety pledges include challenging discriminatory policing, diverting funds to prevention, and defending protest rights. Economic plans feature backing independents via rate relief, a cooperative buying network, and investigating ‘Who Owns Hackney’ for community space use. Zoë Garbett wrote,

“I’m driven to action by the worsening inequality I see every day…I’m standing to do all that I can to make a difference”.

Zack Polanski, Green Party leader, added in the foreword,

“We could not hope for a more passionate and committed team to champion our borough”.

Dylan Law, nominee for Deputy Mayor, focuses on auditing council estates and improving education.

Which Candidates Are Running for Hackney Mayor?

The mayoral race features five candidates, as listed by BBC News. Labour and Co-operative Party’s Caroline Woodley seeks re-election after Philip Glanville’s 2022 win with 59.1%. Green Party’s Zoë Garbett, a councillor and London Assembly member, positions as the main challenger.

Reform UK’s Vahid Almasi campaigns on six promises: safer streets with more police presence, fighting high rents, building more homes by cutting waste, fixing LTNs, stronger communities, and youth innovation hubs. He stated,

“There are a lot of unused council owned properties and plots, so I want to make sure when I am mayor, as soon as possible, we can review all the land and increase housing supply quickly”.

Conservative Party’s Tareke Gregg and Liberal Democrats’ Eva Steinhardt complete the field. Turnout in the prior election was 34.1%.

Why Might Labour Lose Control of Hackney Council?

Polls signal trouble for Labour, with Green Party sources expecting to take Hackney and Labour bracing for a ‘bloodbath’ in similar areas like Islington.

A YouGov model projects Greens leading in Hackney, while JL Partners shows them ahead in Camden.

Reuters reporter via Internazionale noted voter Nadeshda Jayakody saying,

“Labour is pandering towards the right, towards Reform, rather than trying to lead from the centre or the left”.

Local issues like housing and Gaza fuel dissatisfaction, per Green councillor Zoë Garbett.

Green manifesto criticises Labour for stalling on council housing while Greens push reviews of the Local Plan against private developers. Wikipedia notes Greens as strongest challengers.

What Do Other Parties Promise in Hackney?

Reform UK’s Vahid Almasi focuses on cost of living and housing, vowing financial discipline and smarter use of council land.

Conservatives and Liberal Democrats’ specific local pledges remain less detailed in coverage, with Gregg and Steinhardt contesting the mayoralty.

Broader London polls suggest Reform gains in outer boroughs, but Hackney emphasis falls on Labour-Greens.

Background of the Development

Hackney Council has been Labour-controlled since the 1970s, barring brief interruptions, making it a stronghold amid London’s left-leaning politics.

The directly-elected Mayor role, introduced earlier, saw Labour’s Philip Glanville win in 2022 with 59.1%. Greens grew from small opposition to a force, with Zoë Garbett elected councillor in 2022 and influencing policies like landlord licensing.

National context includes Labour’s 2024 general election win under Keir Starmer, followed by falling popularity.

London 2026 elections test Labour against Greens, Reform, Lib Dems, and independents, with Greens targeting inner boroughs like Hackney. Polls from BBC, YouGov, and others project Green gains, potentially halving Labour seats capital-wide.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Hackney Residents

A Green gain could shift priorities to anti-austerity campaigns, expanded council housing using pension funds, and stricter rent controls, potentially easing costs for low-income renters but requiring central government buy-in. Labour retention would continue focus on replacing right-to-buy homes and energy efficiency for 4,500 households, maintaining stability in services like SEND schools.

Reform influence might prioritise police presence and LTN reviews, impacting traffic and safety perceptions for drivers and pedestrians. Residents face policy changes in housing waits, tax relief, street cleanliness, and youth services depending on the winner, with turnout at 34% historically influencing outcomes. Polls suggest close races, so voter turnout on May 7 could determine access to promised food networks, apprenticeships, or community safety shifts.