What you need to know as Hackney heads into mayor's election
Getty ImagesWhen is the election for mayor of Hackney, and who is standing?
The election for mayor of Hackney will be held on Thursday 7 May between 07:00 BST and 22:00.
Hackney Council will be elected at the same time.
- Vahid Almasi - Reform UK
- Zoë Garbett - Green Party
- Tareke Gregg - Conservative Party
- Eva Steinhardt - Liberal Democrats
- Caroline Woodley - Labour and Co-operative Party
What happened in the 2022 election for mayor of Hackney?
Philip Glanville, the Labour candidate, was elected mayor with 59.1% of the vote. The turnout was 34.1%.
Hackney has had an elected mayor since 2022, with Labour holding the mayoralty continuously since then.
Glanville resigned. A by-election was held on 9 November 2023 to fill the remainder of the term and was won by Caroline Woodley, a Labour councillor for Cazenove ward.
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.
How do I vote for the mayor of Hackney?
The election will be held on Thursday 7 May between 07:00 BST and 22:00.
If you are not already on the electoral register, you can register to vote HERE.
The voting system has changed since the last election.
Mayors are now elected using the first-past-the-post system.
You vote for one candidate and the candidate with the most votes becomes mayor.
You will be sent a polling card that indicates where you should vote.
You will not be able to vote without ID such as a passport, driving licence, a Freedom Pass or 60+ London Oyster Photocard - more information here.
You can vote by post or by proxy - more information here.
More information about voting eligibility can be found here.
Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk
