Who won the Hackney mayoral election?

Getty Images A woman in a black leather jacket, red skirt and black tights, with her back to the camera, walks into a passage - there is an orange and white sign that says Hackney Central above the passage. Getty Images
Hackney will elect a borough mayor on 7 May

The election for mayor of Hackney was held on 7 May 2026

The results were:

Zoë Garbett (Green) : 35,720 votes (47.2%)

Caroline Woodley (Labour): 26,865 votes (35.5%)

Tareke Gregg (Conservative) 6,345 votes (8.4%)

Vahid Almasi (Reform UK): 4,013 votes (5.3%)

Eva Steinhardt (Liberal Democrat): 2,731 (3.6%)

What does an elected mayor do?

All 32 of London's boroughs have a mayor, but in most cases their duties are ceremonial. They wear a chain and municipal robes - the position is largely honorary and they have little power.

An elected mayor by contrast has significant powers in their borough.

The mayor is the political leader of the council and they appoint a cabinet made up of elected councillors who are given specific portfolios such as finance, community safety and children's services.

They control local services such as housing, including local regeneration schemes and affordable housing targets, planning and waste collection.

Mayors are elected on their own manifesto and may be a member of a political party or an independent candidate.

The vote for the mayor and the council are held at the same time.

There is a separate mayor of London, currently Sir Sadiq Khan, responsible for police, fire and rescue, Transport for London and strategic matters that affect all 32 London boroughs.

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