Watch highlights from the Hackney Citizen’s Great Mayoral Debate 2014

Choose who runs Hackney: vote on 22 May. Image: Hackney Citizen

Hackney goes to the polls tomorrow (Thursday) to elect councillors and the next Mayor of Hackney. European Parliament elections are also taking place.

For those who missed our Great Mayoral Debate with candidates running for the post of Mayor of Hackney and their representatives, here are some of the highlights…

Parking pledge attacked

Incumbent Mayor of Hackney Jules Pipe (Labour) lashed out at a Liberal Democrat pledge to give away free parking permits, saying he was “shocked” by the proposal. Tony Harms (Lib Dem) defended his party’s promise, saying stats showed the Town Hall had raked in a £5.6 million surplus from its controlled parking regime. He said poorer residents should not be barred from running a motor vehicle because of the price of a permit.

‘Engage community to boost recycling’

Following reports in the Hackney Citizen that recycling has flatlined, Tony Harms told the audience recycling rates improved in Lib Dem-held Cazenove ward. To chuckles from the audience he recounted how Liberal Democrat councillor Abraham Jacobson had enjoyed ‘throwing bags onto lorries’ during a ‘day out’ with Cllr Feryal Demirci.

‘Try tri-borough’

Conservative panelist Amy Gray (representing Tory Mayoral candidate Linda Kelly) said Hackney Council should consider copying Conservative west London boroughs, which ‘work in partnership’. Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea and Hammersmith and Fulham share services as part of so-called ‘tri-borough’ arrangements, which Ms Gray said were ‘more efficient’.

Green estates

Green Party candidate Mischa Borris told the audience: ‘To up recycling rates, the way to go is on the estates.’ She added that if elected, she or her Cabinet Member for Housing would seek a place on the board of Hackney Homes to try and improve matters.

‘Give us your money’

Independent candidate Mustafa Korel said the need for more primary schools in Hackney could be met by ‘opening dialogue with central government… and saying: ‘Give us money!” His remarks won applause from the audience.