Soraya Adejare Defects from Labour to Greens at Hackney Council Hackney 2026

Key Points

• Hackney Council’s final full council meeting before the May elections witnessed a dramatic defection when Labour councillor Soraya Adejare crossed the floor to join the Green Party during the session.
• The move, announced mid-meeting, sparked immediate drama and emotion among councillors, with audible gasps and heated exchanges reported.
• Adejare, a long-serving Labour member, cited dissatisfaction with the party’s direction as her primary reason for defecting.
• The defection reduces Labour’s majority on the council, potentially altering the balance of power ahead of the May elections.
• Green Party leaders welcomed Adejare, hailing her as a valuable addition to their ranks.
• Labour representatives expressed shock and betrayal, with some accusing Adejare of opportunism.
• The meeting, intended as a routine pre-election gathering, descended into chaos as members debated the implications.
• No immediate vote or procedural change occurred, but the incident dominated discussions.
• Witnesses described tears, applause, and raised voices, underscoring the emotional intensity.
• This event highlights growing tensions within Hackney’s political landscape amid national Labour challenges.

Hackney, London (East London Times) March 6, 2026 – In a stunning mid-meeting defection that sent shockwaves through the chamber, Labour councillor Soraya Adejare announced her immediate switch to the Green Party at Hackney Council’s final full council meeting before the May elections. The dramatic moment, witnessed by dozens of councillors and members of the public, reduced Labour’s slim majority and ignited a firestorm of emotion, with gasps, tears, and accusations filling the air. Adejare, who has represented her ward for several years, stood to declare her decision, citing irreconcilable differences with Labour’s current policies.

The announcement came during a session focused on routine agenda items, transforming what was expected to be a procedural affair into one of the most memorable council meetings in recent memory. As reported by Oliver Monk of MyLondon, Adejare rose abruptly, stating her intention to join the Greens, a move that prompted immediate reactions from all sides.

“I can no longer in good conscience remain with Labour,”

she declared, according to eyewitness accounts cited in the MyLondon coverage.​

What Sparked Soraya Adejare’s Dramatic Defection?

Soraya Adejare’s decision to cross the floor was the culmination of mounting frustrations within the Labour group. As detailed by Oliver Monk in MyLondon, Adejare had voiced concerns over the past months about the party’s handling of local issues, including housing, environmental policies, and community engagement.

“The Labour Party I joined no longer represents the values I hold dear,”

Adejare said mid-meeting, her voice steady despite the tension, per the MyLondon report.

Councillors close to Adejare whispered that private discussions had been ongoing for weeks, but the public reveal caught even her allies off guard. Green Party co-leader Elliot Hamdani welcomed her enthusiastically, stating, “Soraya brings invaluable experience and passion for Hackney’s green future,” as quoted in the same MyLondon article. This defection marks a rare mid-term switch in Hackney, where party loyalties have traditionally held firm.

The emotional weight was palpable; one Labour councillor was seen wiping away tears, while others clapped sarcastically. MyLondon’s coverage emphasised how Adejare’s ward, a diverse area with strong community ties, had been a Labour stronghold, making her departure all the more seismic.

How Did the Council Chamber React to the Announcement?

The chamber erupted the moment Adejare made her declaration. According to Oliver Monk of MyLondon, audible gasps rippled through the room, followed by murmurs and shouts. Labour leader Caroline Selman appeared visibly stunned, later commenting,

“This is a betrayal of the trust voters placed in us,”

as reported in the MyLondon piece.

Green councillors broke into applause, with Hamdani rising to shake Adejare’s hand publicly. Tensions peaked when a Labour member interjected, accusing her of “grandstanding for personal gain,” prompting chair Mete Coban to call for order repeatedly. MyLondon noted that the meeting paused for several minutes as emotions ran high, with some attendees describing the scene as “theatrical” and others as “heartbreaking.”

Public gallery observers, including local residents, added to the drama by cheering or booing, underscoring the event’s resonance beyond the council. No formal vote on Adejare’s status occurred, but the incident overshadowed all other business.

Why Did Adejare Choose the Green Party?

Adejare’s alignment with the Greens stems from shared priorities on climate action and social justice. In her statement, as covered by MyLondon’s Oliver Monk, she highlighted Labour’s perceived shift away from grassroots activism:

“The Greens are where real change happens for Hackney’s communities.”

This echoes broader national trends where disaffected Labour members have sought greener pastures.

Hamdani elaborated post-meeting, telling MyLondon,

“Soraya’s expertise in local housing will strengthen our push for sustainable development.”

Adejare, elected in 2018, had previously championed anti-austerity campaigns, but recent Labour decisions on budget cuts reportedly alienated her. The MyLondon article attributes her move to a “fundamental mismatch” in vision.

Critics within Labour dismissed this as opportunism, with one anonymous councillor telling MyLondon,

“She’s jumping ship before the elections to save her seat.”

Nonetheless, Adejare’s popularity in her ward—bolstered by community work—positions her as a prize recruit for the Greens.

What Are the Political Implications for Hackney Council?

Labour’s majority now hangs by a thread following Adejare’s exit. Hackney Council, currently Labour-dominated with 31 seats to the Greens’ 10 and others, faces precarious arithmetic. MyLondon’s Oliver Monk reported that this leaves Labour one vote shy of control, forcing potential alliances on key decisions like the upcoming budget.

Ahead of May’s local elections, the defection energises the Greens, who have campaigned aggressively on environmental issues. “This shows momentum is with us,” Hamdani asserted to MyLondon. Labour’s Selman warned of “instability,” predicting voter backlash.

The event could trigger further shifts; whispers of other discontented councillors surfaced in MyLondon’s follow-up. With elections looming, Hackney’s political scene—already fractious over issues like gentrification and public services—enters uncharted territory.

How Has Labour Responded to the Betrayal Claims?

Labour leaders moved swiftly to contain the fallout. Caroline Selman, in a statement to MyLondon, described the defection as “deeply disappointing” and urged Adejare to “reflect on her mandate.” Party whips scheduled an internal review, per the report.

Councillors like Karthik Murugesan vented frustration, telling Oliver Monk of MyLondon, “Soraya’s timing undermines our collective work.” Yet, some Labour voices acknowledged internal divisions, with one source admitting to MyLondon that “policy rifts have been brewing.”

Nationally, Labour HQ issued a bland response, focusing on election unity, but local ramifications dominate. MyLondon highlighted how this mirrors defections elsewhere, testing party discipline.

What Do Greens Gain from Adejare’s Arrival?

For the Greens, Adejare is a strategic coup. Elliot Hamdani praised her “proven track record” to MyLondon, noting her role in past green initiatives. Her defection bolsters their numbers to 11, nearing a balance-of-power position.

Green strategists eye her influence in diverse communities, vital for election gains. “She’s the bridge we need,” a Green insider told MyLondon. Adejare pledged to push renter protections and cycle lanes, aligning with party manifestos.

The warm reception—hugs and cheers—contrasted Labour’s froideur, as detailed in MyLondon’s vivid account.

When Did Similar Defections Last Occur in Hackney?

Hackney’s council has seen defections before, though none as theatrical. In 2022, a Conservative crossed to independents, per historical records cross-referenced in MyLondon’s context. Adejare’s mid-meeting switch, however, sets a precedent for immediacy.

MyLondon’s Oliver Monk contextualised it against national trends, like 2024’s Reform switches. Such moves often precede elections, amplifying volatility.

Who Is Soraya Adejare, and What Is Her Background?

Soraya Adejare, 42, has served Hackney since 2018, focusing on youth services and equality. A community organiser by trade, she rose through Labour ranks via anti-poverty campaigns. MyLondon profiled her as “fiercely independent,” with roots in the borough’s Nigerian community.

Her council tenure included scrutiny of police-community relations post-riots. Adejare’s defection draws on this activist history, now channelled greenward.

What Role Did the Meeting Chair Play?

Chair Mete Coban struggled to maintain decorum. MyLondon reported him banging the gavel thrice, stating,

“This chamber respects all voices, but order must prevail.”

His neutrality drew praise, steadying the ship.

Coban later reflected to MyLondon,

“Democracy thrives on debate, not drama,”

encapsulating the evening’s duality.

Will This Affect the May Elections?

Undoubtedly. Polls suggest Greens could capitalise, per MyLondon analysis. Labour’s fragility may deter voters; Adejare’s ward becomes a flashpoint.

Campaigns intensify: Labour on stability, Greens on change. MyLondon predicts “floor-crossing fever” borough-wide.

Broader Context: Tensions in Local Politics

Hackney exemplifies national Labour woes—policy fatigue, election nerves. MyLondon ties it to budget squeezes and housing crises eroding loyalty.

As one observer told Oliver Monk,

“Councils are pressure cookers; defections are the steam escaping.”

This incident, while local, signals wider unrest.