Hackney councillor Zoë Garbett has announced her intention to run as the Green Party’s candidate in the next London mayoral election.

The Dalston ward councillor becomes the first person to officially put themselves forward for the election which is due to take place in May 2024.

Zoe was elected to Hackney Council in this year’s local elections, where she also came second in the race to become mayor of Hackney securing more than 10,000 votes.

She said: “Londoners need to be heard, with more control over their lives and real support to thrive. We need action which tackles widening inequality and injustice, keeps communities together and protects nature. We will never ignore these issues and have the policies to help. I’m proud of the work I’ve done in Hackney and I’m ready to do the same for the whole city. I’m ready to lead a winning campaign which will resonate with Londoners and result in big wins for the Green Party.”

Sian Berry, the Green Party’s candidate in last year’s London mayoral election, has seemingly ruled herself out of the running for the 2024 election as she has come out in support of Zoe’s campaign.

Sian, a London assembly member and Camden councillor, secured the party’s best ever result in the 2021 London mayoral election, finishing third with 197,000 votes.

She said: “Greens have always brought fresh and powerful voices into the London elections, and Zoë is a genuine star who will continue that tradition. Our 2024 London mayor candidate needs to have both a strong record in elections and a clear vision for practical policies to help Londoners thrive, and Zoë has these in spades. She has been so impressive as a warm and dedicated colleague, leader and candidate in recent elections, and I can’t wait to see what she achieves in the race for London mayor.”

Green Party members will select their preferred candidate to stand in the 2024 London mayoral election in an internal process ahead of the election.

No other candidates have yet put themselves forward for the election, though incumbent mayor Sadiq Khan has previously expressed an interest in running for a third successive term.

Despite a strong showing for the Greens in the 2021 London mayoral election, the next mayor of London will be decided using the first past the post voting system.

Critics have argued this will lead to a two horse race between Labour and the Conservatives, harming the chances of other parties including the Greens and Liberal Democrats.

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