Hackney mayoral hustings candidates' views on Gaza and LTNs

Candidates at the final hustings agreed to the suggestion by a voter before Thursday’s mayoral by-election.

The event was organised by Independent candidate Peter Smorthit and chaired by retired headteacher David Perks and attracted 40 attendees.

It was held in a rehearsal room at the Premises Studios, a complex of recording studios used by stars including Stormzy, Mercury-prize winners Ezra Collective, Becky Hill who starred in The Voice UK, rapper Little Simz, Nina Simone and Glady Knight.

Brian Debus stepped in for the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) candidate Annoesjka Valent who was unwell.

The Liberal Democrat candidate Simon de Deney was unable to attend, and the Conservative candidate Simche Steinberger had a diary clash with another meeting.

Labour’s candidate Caroline Woodley has declined to attend any of the advertised hustings and is concentrating on doorstep canvassing instead.

All the candidates present agreed  if they win to follow with the voter’s suggestion about writing to residents to find out about their top concerns.

They said they would also support a referendum to scrap the office of directly elected mayor.

Green candidate Zoë Garbett said she wanted to be the last person to hold the role.

Brian Debus said TUSC is in favour of ditching the role and saving money.

Brian Debus, standing in for Trade Unionist and Socialist Coaltion candidate at mayoral hustings. Pic Julia Gregory, free for use by partners of BBC news wire service

Peter Smorthit said he too would support a referendum about the office.

“The role of mayor is going 100 per cent,” he said.

Mr Debus said TUSC would fight cuts to jobs and services and wanted to build estates with 100 per cent council homes, rather than some for sale.

Ms Garbett pledged to reduce inequalities and stand for social justice.

Zoë Garbett, Green mayoral candidate at hustings at Premises Studios. Pic Julia Gregory, free for ude by pasrtners of BBC news wire service

“I can’t stand back and watch issues and people being ignored,” she said.

Mr Smorthit pledged to be “truly impartial and hold everyone to account”.

Mr Perks asked candidates if they supported calls for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Mr Debus said hundreds of Hackney residents joined protests about the conflict.

He backed a ceasefire and for Israel and Palestine to have their own states and called for the safe return of Israelis kidnapped by Hamas.

Ms Garbett condemned the “horrific” violence and called for a ceasefire and return of the hostages.

Peter Smorthit, Independent candidate, Hackney mayoral by-election. Pic Julia Gregory, free for use by partners of BBC news wire service

Mr Smorthit said: “Without a doubt there’s got to be a ceasefire. It’s beyond comprehension how many people are suffering in this conflict.”

He also wanted to ensure there are neighbourhood patrols in Hackney to make communities affected by the conflict feel safe.

When it came to the local issue of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) there were some differing opinions from the candidates. Motorists driving across LTNs get fined as the roads are shut to through traffic.

Mr Debus said: “The community should decide.”

Hackney Council had ignored their views when it put in the Homerton LTN, he said.

Ms Garbett said: “I think they are good if done fairly. What we have got has not been done fairly.”

She pledged to “revisit” the schemes.

Mr Smorthit said: “LTNs need to be scrapped altogether.”

Voters from Young Hackney wanted to know what candidates would do to for them.

Mr Debus opposed the closures of youth clubs.

He said: “Taking funding from youth services is critical. We must provide that funding.”

Ms Garbett proposed “giving young people more power” and to involve them in budget setting.

Mr Smorthit championed “getting more young people apprenticeships to increase their job prospects and funding more youth clubs”.

Young Hackney members also wanted to know how candidates would tackle institutional racism, following the latest incident where a black teenager was surrounded by armed police and arrested after they mistook his water pistol for a firearm. They were also asked for their views on police stop and search policies.

Mr Smorthit said: “The police need to be held to account. It’s the mayor’s job to scrutinise the police.”

Mr Debus said police stop and search powers “are an infringement of a person’s human rights. It led to Child Q.”

This was the case of a black teenager who was strip searched at her Hackney school by police.

Mr Smorthit said: “I think it’s used more as a weapon than anything else.”

Ms Garbett said she has challenged police over stop and search in Hackney, adding: “A lot of the time it’s used on young black people.”

She wanted police to move away from policing in schools.

She said: “I think they should be prioritising violence against women and girls and road deaths rather than over policing young people.”

Concerned parents raised the proposed closures of several Hackney primaries because of falling rolls, and the impact on pupils with special educational needs (SEND).

Ms Garbett said the council should have included parents in discussions earlier and protect single form entry, which parents favoured.

She said it was essential children with SEND had “more inclusive” provision.

Mr Debus proposed using council reserves to keep schools open and wanted to ensure the increasing need for SEND support is met.

He said: “It’s a criminal act that the most vulnerable are not treated as a priority.”

Mr Smorthit said SEND services must be protected. He said: “It’s got to be a top priority in our education system in Hackney.”

The candidates standing for election on Thursday, November 9 are Zoë Garbett, Green; Caroline Woodley, Labour; Peter Smorthit, Independent; Simon de Deney, Liberal Democrats; Simche Steinberger, Conservatives; and Annoesjka Valent, Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC).