I'm Caroline Woodley, running to be Hackney's first directly elected woman Mayor.

I am Cllr. Caroline Woodley, the Cabinet Member for Families, Parks and Leisure, and I am standing to be your Labour candidate for the directly elected Mayor of Hackney.

As a single parent, I found life in London hard at first, but soon discovered my Hackney support network.

Over the last two decades I have raised my son in Hackney and witnessed first hand what it is like for a young person to grow up in the borough that I love.

We have found many opportunities, but huge challenges too. This is a borough of solidarity, culture and innovation. It is also a borough impacted by Tory austerity: a housing crisis, a climate emergency, an NHS pushed to its limits.

As Mayor, I’ll support people over developers and local businesses over large corporations – and I’m committed to tackling threats to the climate and ecology.  

I want to lead a council that will face challenges head on and always support our communities. I am standing as your candidate for Mayor of Hackney to lead an inclusive, Labour-led council that helps residents to overcome adversity.

I know how to win for Labour! In 2018, I stood for selection as a Labour councillor in the community where I live, campaigning for Labour representation in a ward held for 16 years by three Liberal Democrats. We won all three seats and turned the ward red. Today, I also serve as Cabinet Member for Families, Parks and Leisure.

Cllr Woodley is outside in front of some greenery. She's looking at the camera and smiling.

Photo credit: Jannine Newman

As a Hackney Cabinet member, I have…

  • I’ve delivered an exciting programme of community investment, transforming parks and play areas across the borough, with more improvements to come

  • I secured £12 million from the Department for Education to help create 300 school places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

  • I’ve driven forward plans for a new generation of leisure facilities in Hackney, building on the success of our flagship Britannia Leisure Centre

A photo of Cllr Caroline Woodley with her arms folded, smiling at the camera.

Photo credit: Jannine Newman

Representation matters to me. Labour has led the way when it comes to the representation of women in politics - but we know that we can do more when it comes to electing our Mayors.

A close up of Cllr Caroline Woodley, smiling at the camera.

Photo credit: Jannine Newman

Hackney Labour has achieved so much - from our new generation of council housing to the hundreds of jobs we have insourced. But I know that right now we need to rebuild trust with the people of Hackney, and I would make this a priority of my administration. 

We need a strong and compassionate leader to spearhead a campaigning Labour council. A leader who stands with teachers, NHS staff and rail workers fighting for a living wage. 

A leader who stands with renters calling for rent control. A leader who stands with the Windrush generation who rebuilt this country and our borough, only to be told they weren’t citizens. A leader who stands with so many people who, like me, moved to Hackney and found a home. 

These are my pledges to the people of Hackney.

Cllr. Woodley is outside in a park next to a pile of woodchip. There's football going on behind her.

  • I will ensure that social housing is front and centre of our ambitions as a Labour-led council. I will lobby the government for rent controls and strengthen our Landlord Licensing Scheme.

  • From expanding active travel and our green infrastructure, to creating cheap local community energy, I will ensure Hackney Labour continues to lead London in tackling the climate emergency.

  • I will not let the stories and sacrifices of people who have travelled to Hackney be forgotten and will ensure Hackney Labour builds upon the events of the Windrush 75 anniversary and calls out injustice.

  • I will champion Hackney Labour’s insourcing programme, promote cooperative and other forms of workers’ ownership, and develop a business charter to grow the number of London Living Wage Businesses.

  • More than anything else, I will continue the work to make Hackney more inclusive. That means everyone has access to opportunities regardless of circumstance, culture, sexuality, heritage, special educational needs or disabilities. Hackney Labour must always work for everyone.

I’m proud to have the support of councillors, activists and residents from across the borough.

  • Cllr. Margaret Gordon and Cllr. Woodley are pictured in a park on a sunny day. They're both facing the camera and smiling.

    Cllr. Margaret Gordon

    Lea Bridge Ward Councillor, Chair of Hackney Council’s Scrutiny Panel and Vice Chair of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Commission

    “I am proud to support Caroline to be Labour's candidate for Mayor of Hackney.”

    “Caroline has a track record of ensuring all voices are heard and bringing people together. She's the right person to lead our party and our community as Hackney's first woman elected Mayor.”

    “At the core of Caroline's socialism is her commitment to fairness and equality & she lives these values in everything she does. Her tenacity and determination has driven inclusion in Hackney’s schools, green spaces & beyond and helped countless residents obtain the support they need.”

  • A photo of Cllr. Caroline Selman outdoors at an event. She's facing the camera and smiling.

    Cllr. Caroline Selman

    Woodberry Down Ward Councillor, former Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Enforcement (2016-2021)

    “As Cabinet Member for Families, Parks and Leisure, Caroline has a record of delivering for the people of Hackney, including by securing more in-borough SEND places, introducing innovative child-friendly design guidelines and (through her leadership on parks) delivering on our green infrastructure strategy. As well as being incredibly hardworking, I have been impressed by her attention to detail, her ability to genuinely listen to and take on board a wide range of different opinions and her responsiveness to ward concerns.”

    “As a ward councillor she has demonstrated she has the ability to win in a marginal ward and I know she would bring the same energy and dedication to being Hackney’s mayor.”

  • Baran Bayir is outside. It's a close up, and he's looking at the camera and smiling.

    Baran Bayir

    Secretary of King’s Park Ward and Hackney South and Shoreditch CLP Youth Officer

    “Vote for Caroline Woodley! She is the candidate who truly understands the power of our young voices in the borough. As Cabinet Member for Families, Parks and Leisure, Caroline has opened hubs to help families raise children from pregnancy to to adulthood. With a commitment to making sure young people are at the heart of Hackney Labour, Caroline is the advocate we need to ensure our future is not just heard, but actively shaped.”

  • Rosemary Sales

    Former Councillor, Speaker of Hackney and Secretary of Hackney Migrant Centre

    “Caroline has been a great support to residents on Stamford Hill and has been very responsive to the local community. She has wide experience both as Councillor and Cabinet Member and in her previous roles. She brings intelligence, strategic thinking, sensitivity and commitment.”

  • Rich Holman and Nell Greenhill stand facing the camera at the north end of Rectory Road in Hackney.

    Rich Holman and Nell Greenhill

    Rich Holman, Chair of George Downing Residents’ Association, and Nell Greenhill, Residents’ Website Developer

    "We are really glad that Caroline is standing to be the Labour candidate for Mayor. We both think she’d make a brilliant Mayor of Hackney. She has numerous great qualities to bring to the role and we know from experience how dedicated, engaged and wholehearted she is.”

    “Caroline has been really supportive as we've thrown ourselves into the work of supporting a residents association, and we know she understands the concerns residents face day to day and is open to joining meetings and finding a way through the challenges."

  • Cllr Chris Kennedy is on a Labour Party march, holding a banner.

    Cllr. Chris Kennedy

    Hackney Wick Ward Councillor, Hackney Council Cabinet Member for Health, Adult Social Care, Voluntary Sector and Culture

    “I have worked with Caroline in Cabinet for several years, and I know she has what it takes to lead our wonderful borough. “

    “As a leader I have seen her navigate through complex situations, always with compassion and a focus on delivering for the people of Hackney. Caroline has the vision to build on our progressive manifesto and to take Hackney Labour forward.”

  • Cllr. Sarah Young is smiling in a close-up.

    Cllr. Sarah Young

    Woodberry Down Ward Councillor, Secretary of Labour Group

    “Caroline is really collaborative and a pleasure to work with - able to listen and take decisions. Her thoughtful work in difficult areas like SEN and early years provision has been impressive and an indication of what she can achieve across Hackney as Mayor.”

    “Caroline will make a great Mayor for Hackney. She is a strategic thinker who is deeply embedded in our community. Caroline’s leadership experience and ability within the council and outside makes her someone we can all get behind.”

Pledge your support for Caroline.

Please contact me by using the form or by using the contact details below.

caroline4mayor@gmail.com