The populous UK Cypriot community in north London has long been a key target for candidates. The new ones look to convince of there readiness to support the community and the process towards a just settlement to the long-standing Cyprus issue, while those who have already been representing the constituents point to their relevant track record. One such candidate, for the Conservative Party, is Theresa Villiers, who is aiming to get re-elected as the MP for Chipping Barnet, a role she first assumed in 2005. Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) at the start of another day of campaigning, Villiers said her own and her constituents' priorities are the continuation of the plan to fix the economy, the protection of green spaces, the increase in the number of police officers in the area, as well as the support of the NHS long-term workforce plan to enable the training of more staff. In terms of Cyprus, Theresa Villiers explained that she has long been a vocal supporter of the Cypriot cause because she believe s it to be a 'just' one. 'I think it is a great tragedy that Cyprus has been divided for very nearly 50 years now. I know that this division causes real pain and I am a strong supporter of the efforts being made over many years to deliver a free, united Cyprus and a settlement based on the UN resolutions.' In a direct message to the UK Cypriot voters she said: 'No other candidate can match my record of commitment to Cyprus; I have engaged in countless initiatives over the years to support the cause of a free and united Cyprus.' She pointed to the numerous questions on Cyprus she has raised in the House of Commons as well as her support for Cyprus's accession in the EU, when she was previously an MEP. And she reminded her constituents that she has attended 'hundreds and hundreds of events and campaigns' of the Cypriot community. 'I will always be a strong friend to Cyprus and the Cypriot community if I'm re-elected as the MP for Chipping Barnet,' she pledged. She also welcomed the inclusion once again in t he Conservative Party manifesto of a reference of support to settling the Cyprus issue. 'It demonstrates our commitment to a just, balanced and lasting solution for a reunited island,' commented Villiers. Bambos Charalambous, the only MP of Cypriot descent since the 2017 election, is gearing up for the battle of the 4th July in the newly created constituency of Southgate Wood Green. His priorities, as he explained to the Cyprus News Agency, are better safety and easier access to public services, especially hospitals and GPs, as well as more investment for the regeneration of the area. Asking his fellow UK Cypriots to vote for him, he said firstly that his record of representing the area has been very good. Secondly, he noted that having a person that understands the UK Cypriot community makes a big difference. 'One of the first things I did when I became an MP was to ask Theresa May, then Prime Minister, about Crans-Montana, and just being able to do that in Parliament, having that authority, makes a big difference. Thirdly, I am also a Labour candidate and I believe Labour have the best policies for Cypriots in the UK These are the three reasons I say vote for me,' he added. In terms of the policies of a Labour government on Cyprus, Charalambous affirmed the support for a bizonal, bicommunal federation settlement. '(We) want to do a lot more to encourage discussions across the table. It's been way too long now we haven't had discussions. So the UK under a Labour government would be able to use its influence a lot more to try to bring a long-lasting solution for Cyprus,' said the Labour MP. He also praised as 'quite incredible' the support to that cause and to the UK Cypriots by the Labour shadow team for foreign affairs, namely David Lammy and Stephen Doughty. 'I know they will work hard to do whatever they can to help bring about a long-lasting peaceful settlement to the benefit of all Cypriots,' he noted Candidates with credible chances of winning at this election include another Greek Cypriot, Andrew A chilleos (Labour, Romford), as well as Angeliki Stogia (Labour, Chester South and Eddisbury) and Paul Athans (Conservative, Hazel Grove) who are of Greek origin. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres appointed María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar of Columbia as his personal envoy for Cyprus, to assume a Good Offices role on his behalf and search for common ground on the way forward in the Cyprus issue. Source: Cyprus News Agency
Menu