The three Councillors who make up the Independent Socialist Group on Hackney Councilcelebrated their first anniversary by declaring plans to seek more candidates to join them forthe 2026 local elections. They have put out a call to anyone who lives or works in Hackney and shares their values, to think about standing alongside them as an Independent Socialist in the May elections next year. The window for applications will close on 30th May.

Cllrs Claudia Turbet-Delof, Penny Wrout and Fliss Premru hosted a party for supporters,marking a year since they broke with Labour. They left to form a third opposition group on Hackney Council and since then have mounted an effective challenge to several of Labour’spolicies. Notably they led the move which prompted Hackney Council to unanimously call for an end to the Hostile Environment for Migrants in January this year. They also helped prompt a Child Safeguarding Review which is currently looking at behaviour policies in Mossbourne Victoria Park School and they have steadfastly promoted the cause of Palestine, calling for the Council to divest pension funds from firms fueling genocide.

The Group has worked closely with the three Green councillors, and together they have putHackney’s ruling Labour Party under closer scrutiny than it has had for decades. Green Councillors joined the Independent Socialists at a party over the weekend to celebrate their achievements.

A new campaign group was also launched at the party. Known as the Hackney Independent Socialist Collective, members will work with communities and councillors to empower people to make change and build the manifesto residents want over the coming year. Cllr Fliss Premru, who represents Clissold Ward said, “Our intention has always been to build a movement from the grassroots up. We host regular People’s Forums where residents can share their concerns with us and the HISC is another way to make that more effective.”

Speaking of plans for the future election, Cllr Penny Wrout, one of two Independent Socialists in Victoria Ward, said, “We are part of a growing, progressive movement, championing a style of politics which works closely with ordinary people and helps them to access more power in the Council chamber, where many policies affecting residents’ daily lives are decided. We won’t be standing for election in every ward in Hackney, but where we do stand, rest assured we will be fighting to win”.

Cllr Claudia Turbet-Delof, who was born in Bolivia, has worked hard to encourage migrants to stand for election, running workshops for fellow Latin Americans to understand their rights and how elections work in the UK. She said, “Hackney prides itself on welcoming migrants, and Local Government should reflect every voice in the community. Join us and speak up for the issues that affect and matter to you”.