The Hackney Conservatives and their mayoral candidate Linda Kelly are pledging to champion vocational training for young people, and create a “culture of safety on our streets”.

Conservatives are determined to challenge the Labour control of the council, and improve recycling after last year’s ‘green bag’ changes.

Ms Kelly, who has lived in the borough since childhood and served as a local councillor for the last 12 years, also hopes to prioritise the building of family homes.

She told the Gazette: “Only the Hackney Conservatives can challenge Labour’s control of our council and ensure that money is better spent on the people in the Borough.

“For example, Hackney Council has cut council tax benefit while spending millions on pointless road schemes; we would not do this. We would also scrap the propaganda sheet Hackney Today and ensure that the Mayor is held accountable at regular public Q&A sessions. If you elect a Conservative councillor, you’ll have a representative who will fight for you and work for the things you want.”

Ms Kelly has also backed better roads for cyclists, and hopes to hold regular question and answer sessions for constituents.

Hackney’s elderly are also a priority for the party, who hope to ensure their access to facilities and activities across the borough.

The leader added: “We live in a wonderful borough, but it could still be so much better.”