Conservative candidate for Hackney Mayor, Tareke Gregg, has pledged to resign after just 12 months in office if he fails to deliver on the majority of his manifesto promises. In an interview with the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) on Thursday, April 30, the 32-year-old outlined his key commitments, which include cutting council tax, reducing parking permit costs, scrapping Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs), and reinstating weekly household rubbish collections.
Accountability to Residents
Gregg emphasized that his accountability lies directly with the people of Hackney. “The people of Hackney are my boss. If I can’t deliver what they’ve asked me to deliver, I’m wasting people’s time and money, and that’s just being a thief. I’m not a politician, I’m a resident,” he told the LDRS. He stated that if he cannot achieve his key pledges—except for reducing the social housing waiting list—within a year, he would step down and trigger a mayoral by-election.
Emergency Services Experience
A trained scuba diver and volunteer for the London Ambulance Service, Gregg credited his work as a Community First Responder for shaping his opposition to LTNs, which now cover 70% of eligible roads in Hackney. He recounted incidents where emergency volunteers faced critical delays or expensive fines due to the traffic measures. “Someone’s life is more important than a bit of revenue,” he asserted.
Background and Housing Plans
Born in Jamaica, Gregg moved to Hackney as a boy and attended Grazebrook Primary School in Stoke Newington. He praised the borough’s “community spirit” but lamented that gentrification had “priced people out.” To address housing issues, he proposes “50/50” partnerships with developers to fund and build homes, with “ironclad” contracts ensuring that 50-60% of new properties are social housing. He also plans to mandate renewable energy features like solar panels and wind turbines in new buildings to reduce living costs.
Youth Services and Funding
Another key focus is boosting funding for youth services, particularly the Hackney Play Association, which runs play and youth clubs. Gregg recalled how these services shaped his youth: “It made me who I am.” He noted that families can no longer afford opportunities he had, such as free rugby, now costing “£100 an hour, stupid money.” To fund policies like freezing social rent and cutting council tax, he proposes an immediate audit of council finances to redirect money from “overfunded” projects like King’s Hall Leisure Centre.
Realistic Approach
Gregg acknowledged the limitations of the mayor’s role, especially on rent controls. “I can try and work with City Hall or Number 10 to the best of my abilities, but they could easily tell me to get lost. I want to work with them to influence them, but I can’t force them,” he said. The local elections are scheduled for May 7, 2026.
