“It is important that all Cypriots ensure they are registered to vote and make an informed decision on the position of the political parties on issues that are particularly relevant to Cypriot. With all the opinion polls showing that this will be one of the closest general elections in recent times, every single vote counts. We have to demonstrate to the leadership of British major political parties that the Cypriot community can still have a decisive say on the outcomes of several parliamentary seats across London and the south east of England” says John Kaponi (Photo below)
The Cypriot community in the last local elections saw a drop in the level of participation by members of the Cypriot Diaspora with a historically low turnout at the polls. Some estimates in key wards in north London estimate that between 5 and 10 per cent of Cypriots actually voted. Several long standing local councillors of Cypriot origin, as a result, lost their seats and the only Member of the European Parliament failed to be re-elected.
It is estimated in London there are over 150,000 Greek-Cypriot voters and around 75,000 Turkish-Cypriots, 10,000 Armenian and Maronites of Cypriot origin.
Anyone who has not voted can visit the Government’s website and register to vote online https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.
The seats where Cypriots could play a pivotal role include:
Enfield Southgate
Enfield North
Chipping Barnet
Edmonton
Finchley Golders Green
Hendon North
Hornsey Wood Green
Hampstead & Kilburn
Chingford and Woodford Green
Holborn and St Pancras
Ilford North
Ilford South
Richmond Park
Tottenham
Wimbledon