Full Breakdown
Greens Capture Hackney Mayoralty, Signaling Shift in UK Local Politics
5/8/2026, 8:28:58 PM
Hackney Mayoral Victory and Immediate Numbers
On May 8, 2026, Zoë Garbett (Green Party) won Hackney’s mayoral election with 35,720 votes, beating Labour’s candidate (26,865). She succeeds Labour mayor Caroline Woodley in a borough of 250,000 residents. The Greens hold two of Hackney’s 57 council seats, up from Garbett’s 2022 council win with the highest Green vote in London.
Broader Local Election Landscape
The elections saw Labour lose at least 490 council seats, while Reform gained over 650 and the Greens added at least 96. Analysts note both Reform and the Greens inflicted damage on Labour, reshaping the municipal map.
Key Figures and Party Leadership
Zoë Garbett, an NHS worker and former councillor, becomes the Greens’ first elected mayor. Party leader Zack Polanski, who heads the Greens in England and Wales, frames the win as a springboard for ambitions, promising a “tangible plan for change” and forecasting Green MPs in the next Parliament.
Official Statements and Responses
Garbett told reporters voters were “desperate for an alternative to this failing Labour government” and described the contest as a clash between fear-based politics and a hopeful movement. Polanski hailed the result, characterising two-party politics as dead and buried and positioning Reform as the Greens’ opponent. Labour leader Keir Starmer pledged to “hold onto power and work harder to deliver change,” while Polanski urged his resignation, claiming prime minister has “lost the trust of the country.”
Criticism and Opposition
Labour’s council losses have left the party “on tenterhooks,” with figures warning of a decline. John Curtice stressed that, despite the Greens’ surge, Labour remains a force, noting that both Reform and the Greens have been able to inflict damage on Labour. This counters Polanski’s claim that the Greens now face only Reform.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
Polanski frames the election contest as Greens versus Reform, while analysts highlight Labour’s continued relevance and the lack of precise data on how Labour’s lost seats are distributed among opponents. The vote share that will translate into future seats remains unverified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “two-party politics is dead” — Zack Polanski, Green Party leader, England and Wales
- “It’s not old politics … versus new parties. This is about a system of fear versus a movement of hope.” — Zoë Garbett, Mayor-elect, Hackney
- “My message to Keir Starmer is that he needs to go, but I don't think that's my message. I think that's the country's message” — Zack Polanski, Green Party leader
- “All over the UK people are voting to end Rip Off Britain,” — Zack Polanski, Green Party leader
What’s Next
Polanski says the Greens will field more candidates in the 2026 general election, aiming to translate local wins into a broader parliamentary presence. Labour remains on tenterhooks as it confronts the council count, while Reform will build on its council surge. Polanski has described Hackney as a bellwether for the Greens, suggesting the result could signal wider shifts in UK party politics.
