Hackney mayoral election 2026: meet the Labour party candidate Caroline Woodley
Caroline Woodley, current Mayor of Hackney, standing for re-election in May. Photograph: Hackney Labour party
Caroline Woodley, the current mayor of Hackney, is seeking re-election and her first full four-year term at the upcoming local elections on 7 May. Ahead of what is set to be the tightest mayoral race in recent years, she spoke with the Hackney Citizen in an exclusive interview.
“I have been incredibly honoured to be the first woman voted in as mayor of Hackney, but there’s so much more to do,” she said.
Woodley was elected mayor of Hackney in a 2023 by-election, following the resignation of Philip Glanville, becoming the third directly-elected mayor since the position’s creation in 2002.
This election however, the Green party is looking to take advantage of what they’ve called a “chaotic political moment”, with their candidate Zoë Garbett posing a serious threat to Woodley’s re-election bid.
On 6 March, at the Round Chapel in Lower Clapton, the Hackney Labour party launched their 2026 manifesto that, according to Woodley, “reflects our local Labour values – celebrating our diverse communities and our sense of fairness.
“It sets the tone for just how ambitious we are about the future of our borough, with a bold offer on housing and ensuring Hackney is a more affordable, safe and inclusive place to live and work.
“I ran a listening survey to ensure it includes what residents want to see and that it highlights our pride in Hackney – in our culture, in our creativity and our hopes for the future.”
The manifesto is centred on ten key pledges:
- Cut council tax for low-income residents
- Replace council homes lost to right to buy
- Introduce a new generation of rent-controlled homes, supporting key workers
- Provide two new special schools for children with SEND
- Cut mobile phone theft by half by 2030
- Keep the streets clean with a 25 per cent increase in street sweepers
- Bring cheaper cleaner energy to 4,500 council households by 2030
- Double the investment in apprenticeships
- Deliver an affordable food network in every neighbourhood
- Celebrate art, culture and communities in every ward in the borough
With two of the biggest talking points in the upcoming election being the cost of living and the housing crisis, the manifesto aims to put more money in people’s pockets and provide accessible council housing.
Woodley says that under her leadership and with the support of the Labour government, the “huge task of transforming the system” and undoing years of Conservative austerity cuts is already underway.
“I have secured a better deal for Hackney by pressing the new Labour government for more support. We lost over £150 million [in total] in our budgets since the Conservatives introduced austerity cuts that damaged our services, but since the general election of 2024, the Labour Government has committed an extra £97 million [in a multi-year package: 2024/25–2028/29] to Hackney to help us fix things and to continue to deliver the frontline services our residents rely on.
“It has been incredibly difficult to keep all our services going under austerity and now that we’re finally turning a corner, I do not want to see all that work put at risk.”
The manifesto emphasises that Hackney is a “people’s borough” and promises to protect the markets at the heart of its community and local economy, such as Ridley Road, Broadway Market and Chatsworth Road.
In recent months however, the Labour-led council has come under fire following the proposed temporary closure of Ridley Road Shopping Village by offshore private developer, Larochette Real Estate. The closure ended trader’s tenancies without the offer of renewals, threatening the existence of their businesses and leaving them feeling betrayed by the council.
When asked whether these events may lead voters to distrust Hackney Labour’s pledges, Woodley defended her council’s actions and claimed that much of the contention could be attributed to damaging misinformation – although she did not specify from which sources.
“The council has actually stepped in and offered help to the affected businesses, for example with pitches in the thriving Ridley Road market, or access to storage, and I’ve also personally pressed the landlord to set up arrangements for reopening the shopping village in the summer.
“Misinformation about the future of Ridley Road has been whipped up in a way that could damage the market, but as far as Hackney Labour is concerned it is here to stay.
“We are proud of our thriving markets – introducing Sunday trading in Ridley Road, Chatsworth and Broadway market – and will continue to generate apprenticeship and employment opportunities in local businesses.”
With opinion polling of the Labour government reaching historic lows in recent months, the party is bracing for heavy losses across its London heartlands.
Woodley, however, remains motivated and is hopeful that come 7 May, Hackney – a key Labour stronghold – will remain red.
“I’m proud of all that Hackney stands for and am ambitious for all that we can achieve.”
Hackney’s mayoral and council elections will take place on Thursday 7 May.
The Hackney mayoral candidates are listed below in alphabetical order by surname:
Vahid Almasi, Reform UK
Zoë Garbett, Green party
Tareke Gregg, Conservative party
Eva Steinhardt, Liberal Democrats
Caroline Woodley, Labour and Co-operative party
The seven political parties contesting council ward seats in Hackney are listed below in alphabetical order:
Conservative party
Green party
Hackney Independent Socialist Collective
Labour party
Liberal Democrats
Reform UK
Trade Union and Socialist Coalition
All voters aged 18 and over across the borough can vote to elect a mayor by a first-past-the-post system.
Elections are being held on 7 May 2026 for Hackney mayor and Hackney Council, with polling open from 7am – 10pm.
The results will be announced on 8 May.
Voters in Hackney will have to produce photo identification, such as a driving licence or passport.
Residents can still apply for free voter ID until 28 April.