Green party secures historic majority in Hackney as surprise 'paper candidate' elected

Local elections have produced a seismic shift in London's political landscape, with the Green party securing a majority on Hackney council. In a result that ended Labour's 24-year control of the borough, the Greens won 42 of the 57 seats up for grabs. This victory was driven in part by the election of Tyrone Scott, a 34-year-old Green party member who was fielded in Hackney Wick as a 'paper candidate'.

A paper candidate is typically someone fielded with a low expectation of winning to ensure a party appears on the ballot in as many constituencies as possible. Scott, who describes himself as a 'cardboard candidate', was selected for Hackney Wick because the party believed victory was less likely there compared to other wards. Consequently, minimal canvassing occurred in his ward, with activists focusing their year-long campaigns elsewhere. Despite this, Scott was elected as one of three new councillors for the ward, a result he described as surreal and elating.

Scott's path to this office was not straightforward; he previously lost a Hackney councillor race by 27 votes four years ago and later ran unsuccessfully for deputy leader of the Green party. He had retreated from politics to take a job as head of campaigns for an anti-poverty charity, citing work commitments as a barrier to running again. However, he eventually decided to stand, accepting the role of a compromise candidate in an area where the Labour party had sailed to victory in 2022.

The broader context of the election saw Labour suffer its worst results on record, a trend that also influenced the rise of Reform UK, which has been noted for cold-calling members of the public to run as candidates. In Camden, the volatility of these elections is already evident, with a byelection anticipated after a Greens councillor resigned because party rules prevent holding the post while teaching in the same borough.

Scott, who informed his employers of his election before the count concluded, plans to return to work on Monday. His workplace has agreed to accommodate his election, with discussions to resume once he returns. He aims to use his new role to rebuild community cohesion in Hackney, positioning the Greens as an example of building hope rather than hate, particularly in light of recent gains by Reform UK.

Zoë Garbett was elected as the borough's first Green mayor, further loosening Labour's grip on the post. Scott noted that while he had a minor chance of success, the prospect of winning three seats across the board was not anticipated. The result has left the party with a moment of realisation that their strategy of fielding candidates across the borough, even those deemed unlikely to win, has yielded significant institutional gains.