Zoë Garbett has been elected Mayor of Hackney in an historic win for the Green Party.
The widely predicted victory marks the first time that Zack Polanski’s Green Party has had an elected mayor in the capital.
Ms Garbett won with 35,720 votes to Labour’s 26,865.
The east London borough has not yet announced the result of its council election, but the Green party has been forecast to gain overall control.
Unlike in other boroughs, the role of Hackney’s mayor is not just ceremonial. Ms Garbett’s new role will provide her with direct control over the council’s policy and the delivery of services.
Speaking after her win, Ms Garbett said: “Today we start a fightback. In this election, over and over, people kept telling me that they felt let down.
“People kept saying, ‘it’s hard for me and it’s hard for us’. Council services are failing those who need them most and people are struggling to make ends meet.
“To everyone who voted for me, I truly thank you for putting your trust in me today.”
She added: “I’m going to change the system. That’s why you’ve elected me, to lead the fightback here in Hackney, this campaign has never just been about the Green Party.
“Countless people, movements, organisations, parties and communities have come together to make this change possible.”
Ms Garbett was previously stood for London mayor in 2024, but lost to Labour’s Sadiq Khan. She was also fourth on the Green Party's list for the London Assembly and was not elected, but assumed the position after Sian Berry stood down just three days after re-election.
Hackney has had a Labour mayor since the directly elected position was introduced in 2002.
Labour’s Caroline Woodley has occupied the post since 2022, but has now been ousted by the Greens.
Green Party leader Zack Polanski said the new politics is "Greens versus Reform", adding that the party's vote share is rising "right across the country".
He added: “My message to Keir Starmer is it’s time to go.”
In a post on X, Mr Polanski praised Ms Garbett, writing that “two party politics isn’t dying. It’s dead and buried.”
Ms Garbett has proven popular with Hackney residents and will elect 19-year-old Dylan Law as her deputy.
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She has played a key role in drafting the Green’s policy on drugs and has called for more affordable housing in Hackney.
Ms Garbett previously cited Ridley Road as just one of the areas that the Greens would protect and plans to reduce the cost of living crisis by committing to food co-ops and networks.