The Green party has celebrated a shock victory over the ruling Labour party in a Hackney Council by-election.

Liam Davis won in Stoke Newington with 53% of the vote after an electoral pact between the Greens and Independent Socialists.

The by-election on Thursday (September 12) saw a 19-point swing from Labour, whose candidate Zak Davies-Khan finished second on 40%.

Cllr Davis, who lives in Stoke Newington, campaigned on issues including inadequate housing conditions and reducing youth violence.

Following his victory, he said: “Thank you to Stoke Newington for trusting me.

“This win is testimony to the dedicated hours put in by volunteers, and the clear disillusionment with Labour locally and nationally that we met door after door.”

He added: “This result signals our community is ready for real hope and real change.

“I said that I will stay and work hard, and I will so that Stoke Newington becomes greener and fairer.

“This now means that we are a stronger opposition, but we will always support the Labour administration where we agree.”

The by-election was triggered after the resignation of Labour councillor Mete Coban, who was recently appointed as London Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy by Sadiq Khan.

The vote was held alongside a by-election in London Fields, which was won by Labour. The votes marked the eighth and ninth by-elections held in Hackney this year.

The full results in Stoke Newington on a turnout of 20.35% are as follows:

  • Tan Bui, Independent – 12
  • Zak Davies-Khan, Labour Party – 945
  • Liam Davis, Green Party – 1,253
  • Tareke Jay Antonio Gregg, Conservative Party – 74
  • Thrusie Maurseth-Cahill, Liberal Democrats - 78