Green Candidate Mustafa Keorel photo:

The Green candidate for the upcoming Hackney Central by-election says he will fight to ensure residents don’t get a “raw deal” out of the Olympics.

Speaking to East London Lines, he expressed concern over the number of jobs promised to local people in Hackney in the run up to the games. He says the actual figure falls short:

He claims he is the only candidate who actually lives in the ward and having spent years as a youth worker and knows young people want opportunities.

Korel also has experience as campaigning officer for the Green Party in Hackney. He switched parties, having previously campaigned for the Liberal Democrats,  after they “sold out” on issues such as student tuition fees when they joined the coalition.

He has also been critical of the Labour party and feels Hackney voters want a new, alternative voice to challenge the current Labour council.

Housing is also high on his list of priorities, along with employment and services for young people and the elderley.

In an interview with the Hackney Gazette: ““I have been ever hopeful for a different voice in Hackney which will speak up against injustice and which is owned by Hackney residents, a voice that understands social and environmental change go hand-in-hand, not one before the other”

Local blogger Duchess of Hackney, who claims to be “not affiliated to any party”  featured a post about Korel last month saying she was “impressed” by the candidate, whose roots lie in the community.

Korel argues that being local to the area is important to him- and to potential voters:

Labour Candidate Ben Hayhurst. photo: www.hackney-labour.org.uk

Standing for Labour in the by-election is Ben Hayhurst.

Mr Hayhurst is a barrister who has lived in Hackney for eight years with his partner Helen. He says he is passionate about youth provision, an interest which stems from his work within the criminal justice system.  A statement on the Hackney Labour Party’s website says:

“I see the most vulnerable amongst us (young people, many with mental health problems) caught in the revolving door of the system with a lack of support, jobs, housing, prospects or any sort of positive framework to make a go if it.”

According to an interview with the Hackney Gazette, Mr Hayhurst  specialises in serious crime and tax litigation. His career has seen him work on the prosecution of former Serbian president Slobodan Milosovic, while an intern at the United Nations in 2003.

The results of the by-election will be announced on Friday

More information about the upcoming Hackney Central councillor by-election can be found on the Hackney Council website.

Visit the Hackney pages of East London Lines to hear from the other candidates standing in the election.

Mustafa Korel to stand for Greens in council by-election (Hackney Citizen)