Speaker Anya Sizer was in her tracksuit bottoms when we met, snuggled up with a cuppa – a far cry from the ceremonial robes she’s become accustomed to this year.
Anya, who lives in Stoke Newington, is nearing the end of her year as Hackney’s Speaker – the Civic Mayor.
“It felt like dress up at first,” she said. “My family couldn’t stop laughing the first time I tried on the robes. I’m so small they drown me! To them, at home I’m just Mum in a ridiculous outfit!
“At the beginning I felt awkward and like I was trying on something but really soon I thought ‘this is nothing about me and everything about the people I’m in front of’. It’s a way to show they matter, to make people feel really special.”
For Anya this move into politics was always on the cards; aged just eight she wanted to be Prime Minister and she’s been a lifelong member of the Labour Party but when Brexit happened and Trump was elected, she began to get more involved.
She joined the Labour Party’s campaigns, started attending branch meetings and became Women’s Officer. When a seat came up in a by-election in 2021 her party selected her as their candidate and she won.
“I’m very aware that many people have to go for it a few times,” she said. “I feel very privileged to have this role. It’s the most incredible thing. I love this area and being able to serve.
“Hackney is a great borough – we don’t get everything right but we are innovative; we’ve pioneered a lot. Hackney has led the way with its anti-racism policies as well as the investment in green policies via our Green New Deal. It has even been spoken about in America as a template for what you can do. Our celebration of diversity is incredible. “
Anya grew up in Camden in what she describes as “a lefty Jewish family’; her mum was a folk singer amongst other careers and her dad a TV Director. Anya later became a Christian.
She said: “Dad’s side were culturally Jewish, mum’s side were Irish catholic. I became a Christian in my teens. That mix of religions makes me at home with a lot of different groups of people; I don’t feel phased.”
After her own battle to conceive (she underwent five rounds of IVF to conceive Hope (now aged 20) and Barney (17), she started working for a clinic in London, supporting women with fertility issues. She later became London Rep for the Fertility Network, advocating for women in the workplace with fertility issues and leading the UK’s biggest fertility campaign ‘Scream for IVF’. Her petition gathered 100,000 signatures and she led a rally outside parliament.
Anya and her husband Damion, Head of Art at a London secondary school, adopted their son (now 12) when he was 15 months old.
Anya spent a year as Deputy Speaker, working alongside Cllr Humaira Garasia, she learned the ropes and took on some civic duties. When she was appointed Speaker, she quit her job to do it. She explained: “It’s just one year – I wanted to give it everything!”
She added: “It has been the most incredible year of learning and self-development. I’ve often chaired meetings where I have to keep the order and ensure people are being polite.
“There are too many highlights; laying a wreath on Remembrance Sunday, taking part in the New Year’s Day Parade but generally it’s meeting the community groups, taking part in school tours, getting the kids debating. We ran a foetal alcohol spectrum disorder event and neurodiversity art exhibition, both of which were so special.
“There are a lot of problems but every day we meet these incredible groups of people just getting on with it.”
Asked what she’d like to do next she replies: “Another political role would be great – maybe one day to be an MP in London . But I wish the Speaker role was longer!
“I’m not very good at sitting still – I see stuff that needs doing and just do it.”
