Tyrone Scott, a Green party candidate for Hackney Wick who unexpectedly won a council seat in Thursday’s election, had not anticipated victory. Like many paper candidates fielded with little expectation of success, Scott’s win came as a surprise. The Green party’s strong performance in London, including taking control of Hackney council for the first time since 2002, led to several unexpected victories.
What Happens When a Paper Candidate Wins?
Paper candidates are individuals put forward by parties to fill ballot slots, often with no serious campaign or expectation of winning. This year’s local elections, however, saw Labour suffer its worst results on record, propelling many such candidates into office. In Finsbury Park, a Green party paper candidate won, prompting handlers to apologise and offer support. In Camden, a newly elected Green councillor resigned immediately because his teaching job prohibited him from serving.
Tyrone Scott’s Journey
Scott, a 34-year-old Green party member for 12 years, had narrowly lost a Hackney council race by 27 votes four years ago. After that defeat, he ran for deputy leader but lost. He then stepped back from politics for a charity role. Wanting to stand again but with work commitments, he chose Hackney Wick, a Labour stronghold in 2022, as a less likely win. He called himself a “cardboard candidate” rather than paper, as the party believed victory was possible everywhere.
The Surprise Victory
Canvassing in Hackney Wick was minimal compared to other wards. At the vote verification, Scott noticed a large pile of votes for his ward, sparking a glimmer of hope. During the count, the Greens won early victories, including unexpected ones. When all three Hackney Wick councillors were Greens, Scott felt a mix of emotions: nervous excitement and disbelief. “It felt quite surreal and we were very elated,” he said.
Balancing Work and Council Duties
Scott works as head of campaigns for an anti-poverty charity. He informed his bosses about standing, and they agreed on the understanding he was unlikely to win. Now that he has won, he expects a conversation about balancing his roles. “I’m sure now they’re thinking: ‘Oh actually, it’s real’, and we’ll have a conversation when I get back to work on Monday,” he said.
Plans for Hackney
Scott hopes the Greens can rebuild “community cohesion” in Hackney and serve as a positive example, especially in light of Reform UK’s gains. “We can be a shining example of how to build hope rather than hate,” he said.
