• Greens strike by-election cooperation agreement with Independent Socialists Group

Hackney Green Party is going to cooperate with the Hackney Independent Socialists in the upcoming council by-elections in London Fields and Stoke Newington. The purpose of this agreement is to give both the best chance of winning strengthening the ability for both to challenge the Labour administration where there are shared values, policies and concerns. If successful, the collaboration will become the largest opposition on the council, surpassing the Conservatives. 

Local activist Liam Davis has been selected to run in the Stoke Newington by-election. He said: “Hackney residents deserve better than what the Labour administration is offering. As your councillor, I'll push for affordable and high-quality new social housing, support our independent businesses, and ensure better waste collection and accessibility in Stoke Newington. I'll be a strong voice pushing for the ethical divestment of pension schemes from arms companies and for our youth, advocating for better services and opportunities to combat local youth violence. It’s time for an opposition that holds Labour accountable and fights for the needs of our community. Voters in Stoke Newington understand the value in voices who can speak freely for their needs.”

Hackney Green Group co-leader Cllr Zoë Garbett commented:
“Liam is a dedicated and hard working local champion who is passionate about improving the lives of everyone in Stoke Newington. Liam will be joining an effective Green team who are working with Hackney's Independent Socialist councillors to replace the Hackney Conservative Group as the majority opposition group in our borough.”

“A vote for Liam is first and foremost a vote for a councillor who will bring Stoke Newington's voice to the council and will advocate for people suffering the impact of continued austerity and cuts. Labour councillors have to vote the way they are told to, but Green councillors are not told how to vote, so Liam can be a really strong independent voice for Stoke Newington. We’re really proud about how we’ve worked cross-party for the benefit of residents and this collaboration with Independent Socialists who are unhappy with the direction of Labour locally and nationally is the continuation of that work.”

A Hackney Independent Socialist Councillor Claudia Turbet-Delof said: “I am so happy to see Liam standing as the Green Party candidate for Stoke Newington. I have seen how passionate and committed Liam is to climate justice and as a former Mental Health Champion for Hackney I also saw how well Liam understands the impact social injustice has on our wellbeing and mental health. Voting for Liam helps us secure our growing number of Green and Independent voices fighting for residents  and scrutinising a safe Labour administration.”

The Hackney Greens and Hackney Independent Socialists Groups share common concerns and are already working together on pushing the council to divest its pension funds from arms companies, on action to address poverty and on prioritising the climate crisis.

The London Fields by-election was triggered by the arrest and resignation of the council’s deputy speaker Lee Laudat-Scott who has been charged with “intentionally touching” a child under 13.

The Stoke Newington by-election was triggered by the resignation of the council’s Cabinet member for climate change, environment and transport Mete Coban, who leaves for a job working as the Mayor of London’s Deputy Mayor for the Environment and Energy.

The by-elections are the 8th and 9th in Hackney since the last full council elections in May 2022. All by-elections to date have been caused by Labour resignations.

Find out more about Liam Davis on Our Candidates page: https://www.hackneygreens.org.uk/our_candidates