On 7th May, Hackney residents voted for change, electing a Green Mayor and replacing most of the Labour councillors with Greens. This desire for new leadership in Hackney was evident at our lasts public meeting on Saturday 11th April, which was an opportunity to question candidates in the then upcoming elections.
We were joined by Zoë Garbett (Hackney Greens), Heather Mendick & Alana Heaney (Hackney Independent Socialists), Ken Gabbott-Rolph (Liberal Democrats), Brian Debus (Trade Union and Socialist Coalition), and Clair Battaglino (Independent). We also invited the Labour Party, the Conservatives and Reform.
We started by asking our panel: What are your plans for the Morning Lane Site? They were also asked about how they would manage housing repairs, fund the building of council housing, and support local democracy.
Zoë spoke about greater accountability and transparency, she wanted to look at other options for housing such as a Community Land Trust and to make sure Tesco aren’t operating rent-free on the site. She said that she will push back against developers and will work with us and other community groups.
morninglanepeoplesspace.org 