A by-election is set for Thursday, June 25 after the Green politician Zoë Garbett’s mayoral victory created a vacancy on the council
A little more than seven weeks after the local elections, some Hackney residents will be heading to the polls to cast their votes once again.
A by-election for Dalston ward is scheduled for Thursday, June 25, triggered by the results of the recent local government elections where the Green Party made history twice – winning both the mayoralty and a majority on the council for the first time.
Since Hackney‘s new Mayor, Zoë Garbett, also ran for re-election as a local councillor in Dalston and won, this created a vacancy due to her ascension to the top job. Another by-election is also being held on the same day for Hackney Central, where a victorious Green councillor resigned immediately because he was ineligible to stand in the first place.
The upcoming poll will see Labour try and reclaim two seats it lost to the Greens in May, in a bruising defeat which reduced the party’s majority from 50 to a rump of nine seats. Though Cllr Garbett secured one of the two council seats in Dalston ward at the 2022 elections, until May this year the other seat was held by Labour’s Grace Adebayo, who is standing again.
The full list of candidates from five political parties standing in the upcoming Dalston by-election have now been confirmed.
Dalston by-election candidates
Grace Adebayo, Labour Party
Former Dalston councillor Grace Adebayo represented the area from 2022 until May when she lost her seat to the Greens. If elected in June, she has pledged to hold the new council to account as a “strong voice” for Dalston residents.
Ms Adebayo told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “In Dalston I have helped to tackle antisocial behaviour, improving street safety and supported the continuing growth of Ridley Road Market, supporting Dalston’s local artists and campaigning successfully for step-free access at Dalston Kingsland station.
“Dalston’s strength is its diversity, creativity and community spirit. I am standing to continue fighting for a cleaner, safer and fairer Dalston for everyone.”
Ivon Fleming, Reform UK
Reform’s Ivon Fleming said he is standing as a candidate to push for safer streets, more social housing and more community spaces in the borough.
Speaking to the LDRS, Mr Fleming said: “I chose to stand as a candidate because it is time that the local residents be a priority, that there can be a council that listens, delivers and is accountable.
“I am passionate to become the voice of all communities, especially young people and underrepresented groups. Your thoughts help to shape the council and our community matters.”
Manal Massalha, Green Party
Green candidate Manal Massalha is a Hackney resident, urban ethnographer and social documentary photographer with a PhD in Sociology from the London School of Economics.
Ms Massalha is a self-described advocate for housing rights, safer, greener streets, local traders and community spaces. “I am committed to helping make Dalston a home for all. Where everyone can live with dignity and recognition. Where everyone feels they belong,” she said.
“As your Green Party candidate, I will listen to you and work closely with Hackney Mayor Zoë Garbett and Dalston councillor Rachel Nkiessu-Guifo to demand a fairer, more inclusive Dalston.”
Peter Munro, Liberal Democrats
Liberal Democrat Peter Munro ran for Dalston ward in the May elections and is standing once again. He is a Senior International Policy Officer for Transparency International UK, and one of his campaign priorities is to tackle bike theft, the party said.
This includes pushing for a police-run ‘Operation Bike Bat’ whereby covert tracking equipment is placed on or in bicycles to monitor, identify and prosecute thieves in the borough.
Jerry Sulaiman, Conservative Party
Jerry Sulaiman previously stood in Dalston for the Conservative Party at the 2026 elections and came in eighth place with 72 votes. The party did not offer further information about their candidate.
Key election information
Applications to register to vote must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by midnight on Tuesday, June 9. Applications can be made online. Voters will need to show photo ID when voting in person in this by-election.
Applications, amendments or cancellations of postal votes or cancellations or amendments of proxy votes must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at Hackney Town Hall, Mare Street, London, E8 1EA by 5pm on Wednesday, June 10. Applications can be made online.
New applications to vote by proxy at this election must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at Hackney Town Hall, Mare Street, London, E8 1EA by 5pm on Wednesday, June 17.
Applications to vote by emergency proxy at this election must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at Electoral Services by 5pm on Thursday, June 25.
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