Two Cypriot Labour MPs: Bambos Charalambous and Nesil Caliscan
The members and friends of the Labour Cypriot Society worked hard during the pre-election period, shoulder to shoulder with other Labour members and supporters and now, together with the landslide victory of the Labour Party, they are able to celebrate the election of two Cypriot Labour MPs.
- Bambos Charalambous has become the MP for the newly-created seat of Southgate and Wood Green.
- Nesil Caliskan has become the new Labour MP for Barking after retaining the seat held by her predecessor, Dame Margaret Eve Hodge.
Bambos Charalambous
Mr Charalambous, who previously represented Enfield Southgate, won the new cross-borough constituency comfortably, with a vote share of 51.1%.
The Conservative candidate, Eric Sukumaran, was second with a vote share of only 17.6%, followed by the candidates of the Green Party with 12.3%, the Liberal Democrats with 8.6%, Reform UK with 6.9%, the Workers Party with 1.8% and the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition with 1.7%. Turnout: 59%
The boundary of the seat takes in the western part of Enfield borough and the areas of Wood Green, Bounds Green and Turnpike Lane in Haringey borough, encompassing seven Piccadilly Line tube stations.
Ballot papers in the constituency were counted overnight at Lee Valley Athletics Centre in Edmonton, following the general election on 4 July.
Asked what the new Labour government will do for people living in Southgate and Wood Green, Mr Charalambous said: “There will be more support, particularly now there is a Labour government, with a Labour council and Labour MPs working in tandem. It will help solve problems we have around housing and poverty.”
Mr Charalambous had previously served as a shadow minister. In response to a relevant question, he said he would be ready to serve in government if asked by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
He added that he was looking forward to getting to know his new constituents in Haringey, who he is representing for the first time.
Nesil Caliscan
Nesil Caliskan has become the new Labour MP for Barking with 16,227 votes, retaining the seat held by her predecessor, Dame Margaret Eve Hodge, who stepped down after representing the Barking constituency since 1994, and on 4 July was asked to become a peer in the House of Lords.
Reform UK’s Clive Peacock came second with 5,173 votes, followed by the candidates of the Green Party with 4,988 votes, the Conservative Party with 4,294 votes, the Workers Party of Britain with 3,578 votes, the Liberal Democrats with 1,015 votes, an Independent with 753 votes and the Christian People’s Alliance with 449 votes. The voter turnout for Barking was 45.85%.
During her speech, Ms Caliskan said: “It is time for change in our country and I am so proud to be elected as member of parliament for Barking”.
“I am humbled of course to follow in the footsteps of Margaret Hodge who has served Barking outstandingly for three decades.”
She added: “I pledge to the people of Barking that I will always be on your side, thank you for giving me the honour of being elected as your member of parliament.”
The constituency was created in 1945 and since then has always been represented by the Labour Party.
Before becoming an MP, Ms Caliskan was the Leader of Enfield Council and had been a councillor for 15 years. She was also Labour’s chief of the Local Government Association (LGA).
Very impressive and proud to be culturally represented as a Greek Cypriot.