A record number of councillors

Victorious Turkish-speaking councillors attend Londra Gazete at Cyprus Kitchen in Haringey

The new councillors from the Turkish-speaking communities were hailed as an example of how well they have integrated with Britain.

Turkey’s ambassador to the UK, Ünal Çeviköz, said the record number of candidates in last month’s local elections showed how migrants from his country had become respected individuals here.

32 councillors from the Conservative and Labour parties were victorious in boroughs ranging from Enfield to Bexley in local elections last month.

They came together for the first time at a reception organised by Londra Gazete, where they were joined by Mr Çeviköz, as well as the Turkish Cypriot representative in London, Oya Tuncalı, and representatives from community associations.

It was held at Cyprus Kitchen, the Turkish Cypriot Community Association on Green Lanes, Harringay.

Ms Tuncalı spoke of the importance of unity within the community and urged progress towards electing a representative to parliament, while Enfield councillor Doğan Delman said he was delighted the number of representatives had reached such heights.

Sixteen councillors from the Turkish, Turkish Cypriot and Kurdish communities have been elected in the north London borough of Enfield. Five won in Haringey, four in Hackney, and two each in Islington and south of the river in Bexley.

AMBASSADOR’S PRAISE

“This victory is important because it demonstrates the extent to which you have made yourselves accepted in this country,” said Mr Çeviköz in a short address.

“It means that our citizens who represent us here, both those who came from Turkey and those who were born and raised here, have fully integrated themselves in this country and have become respected individuals of the community.”

Mr Çeviköz, whose his positing in London comes to an end this month, added: “In the future, when I hear that either one of you or another community representative has been elected to the United Kingdom parliament, I will remember this speech and the memory of our time together here today.”

Speaking afterwards, Ms Tuncalı said the elected councillors would all have hard work to do in the months to come, but added she was sure it would be for the good of the Turkish-speaking communities, irrespective of the colour of the party they represent.

Enfield councillor Doğan Delman, elected to his fifth term in office, was invited to say a few words as the longest serving Turkish-speaking member.

He said that when he ran his first campaign, the communities were represented by himself and a Labour candidate in Haringey.

“I am delighted that we have reached 32 councillors this year,” he said.

A wide range of local representatives from Alevi, Cypriot, Kurdish and various Anatolian associations were present at the event.