Women’s Equality Party ‘very proud’ of election results after first ever Hackney candidate

Harini Iyengar at the Hackney Citizen hustings. Photograph: MJ Widomska

The Women’s Equality Party (WEP) says it is “very proud” of its election results after fielding its first ever candidate in Hackney.

Harini Iyengar, a barrister and Hackney resident, won 4.1 per cent of the mayoral vote, or 2,659 votes, and 12.8 per cent of the vote for Dalston councillor.

A WEP spokesperson said: “Hackney Women’s Equality Party is very proud of our election results.

“In the Mayoral Election, we gained 4.1 per cent of first preferences and in the Dalston councillor election 12.8 per cent of voters supported us.

“We don’t know of any other political party which has achieved such popularity less than three years after the party was launched.

“We are looking forward to celebrating our results this Friday with a party at The Last Crumb in Stoke Newington, and to campaigning on a range of local issues once we’ve had a rest.”

Sophie Walker, WEP leader, tweeted: “Love this woman @Harini_Iyengar. She’s an inspiration to me and so many others. Congratulations on a brilliant campaign that has laid the foundation for a bright future.”

Party co-founder Catherine Mayer, who campaigned for Iyengar in Hackney, tweeted: “Plus @Harini_Iyengar also won the support of 12.8 per cent of voters in the council elections for Dalston ward. That’s what I call multi-tasking.”