Parikiaki’s Michael Yiakoumi recently caught up with Suzy Stride in Tower Hamlets. Suzy is of Cypriot origin and is the prospective Labour MP for Harlow.
Suzy, tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Suzy Stride, my grandparents are from Eptakomi in Cyprus, and I was born in the East End of Tower Hamlets. I went to a state school and was the only one in my year to go to Cambridge university. Being brought up in one of the poorest and most deprived areas in the country instilled in me a passion to fight for equality and change. When I went to Cambridge the inequality that exists in the country became even more stark to me as I met so many people who had had different life opportunities because of their backgrounds as we opposed because of their own merit. I decided after university not to go and work in Westminster but instead to go and work in the East End working for a youth and education charity that helps to tackle inequality in a grassroots way through education training and upskilling young people from some of the poorest backgrounds in the country. I still work in education and I also am standing to be the MP in Harlow. I frequently visit Cyprus and I am an active member of the community.
How important are your roots to you?
My Greek Cypriot roots are incredibly important to me; my grandma was very important to me, Cypriot culture of putting the family first, sacrificing for the family is something which is why I am where I am today and is a big part of what my politics are about supporting people and being family to people even if they are not my immediate family. My Cypriot roots are a big part of who I am and the way I am. I feel incredibly privileged to be part of the such an amazing community with such rich cultural identity, that has given so much to Britain. I am incredibly proud to be Cypriot – which I think often does mean being part of and from a community of people who are passionate, hardworking, determined, warm, real and incredibly loving.
Suzy Stride with the Cypriot President Anastasiades
What first sparked your interest in politics?
My dad was political so when I was growing up we would have conversations and I remember being aware of the impact of politics on people from a young age; when I was a teenager growing up in the most deprived area in the country I was really aware of other people’s difficulties – I think I was just always aware that there is still a lot of inequality in this country and still so much change is needed and I just knew politics was one of the ways I could bring change
Suzy with Labour Leader Ed Miliband
How do you think young people make a difference to society today?
Young people are the future, and we need to invest in them, young people I think more and more are social justice minded, caring about bringing change caring about not wanting a media that is biased and can’t be trusted and caring about a Westminster political elite that does not always represent them and they want to see changed up. It was also inspiring to meet Demis Hassabis who sold his company to Google for £400 million recently a month back and see how Cypriots are bringing incredibly change and are in the forefront of research and IT discovery and invention. But at the same to ensure that young people can keep making a difference we do need to make sure they are getting the right kind of support. We also need to make sure that places of power, politics is made accessible and relevant to them 
Suzy with Harriet Harman Labour Deputy Leader and our own Michael Yiakoumi
What do you think the biggest issues facing the UK are today?
The single biggest issue for me in the UK today is that a young person’s future is determined by factors outside of their control that still too money young people cannot fulfil their potential or realise their aspirations because there is still too much inequality. We need to be building more homes, creating more jobs, investing in education and the NHS and seeing communities regenerated. I am passionate like most people in this country to live in a country where all people no matter what their background or postcode can fulfil their potential and aspirations.
What would you most like to change?
I would like to see more homes built, more jobs created, raise aspirations, see the town centre regenerated. On a wider scale, I want to fight for a more equal and fair Britain.
Suzy Stride with fellow Cypriot Lord Adonis
Why an MP in Harlow?
Harlow is an incredible place to live – many people who live there are originally like me from the East End and they moved up post war for housing and jobs and a better life. Harlow over the years has not received the investment it should have got and I passionate about becoming the MP there and fighting to bring the change it needs investment in housing, in regeneration in creating the right jobs and raising aspirations.
What do you want to give to your constituency?
Fighting for more jobs, homes, regeneration and also helping more young people to engage in politics.
Suzy Stride on Sky News
How close is the race in your constituency?
Incredibly close – my seat has been won and lost by 98 votes in the past, a poll recently put me as winning by 900 votes recently but this does not take into account UKIP who are a gaining ground in Harlow. It is close but this makes it all the more reasons for the community to come up to Harlow and support me, come and deliver some leaflets, make some phone calls from home for me or donate.
How can the Cypriot community help you get elected?
The keys ways the Cypriot community can help me get elected and become the first MP this country has ever had with Cypriot roots, is by 1. Coming up to Harlow and helping deliver leaflets. 2. Making phone calls from home to people in Harlow 3. Donating to the campaign or coming a lot to my fundraisers.
What interests and hobbies do you have
I play football, I use to play rugby, I enjoy playing guitar, piano and singing. I also love the cinema and travelling to Cyprus,
Is there any one you look up to?
My Grandad who has now passed away was easily one of the biggest influences on my life, of the importance of serving people, representing people who do not have a voice and fighting for change on behalf of others.
If you were not involved in politics, what field would you have followed?
I would stay in education working with young people and local communities.
This interview goes out to all Cypriots in Cyprus and the UK. Would you like to send them a message?
Firstly, that I feel incredibly privileged to be part of the such an amazing community with such rich cultural identity, that has given so much to Britain. That my Cypriot roots are such a huge part of who I am, and I am incredibly proud to be Cypriot.
With 300,000 Cypriots in the UK I really would love to see more engaging with politics as a way to bring change. If you would like to support me that would be fantastic, please do get in contact. I am in a huge fight to win and I am up against an opponent who is far better resourced than me, both with staff and financially. So any support you can give would be incredible, so please do get in touch.
Itis imperative we support Suzy Stride; she has Cypriot roots and we as a community have been here for generations and do not have a Member of Parliament. It is not just about what party she represents or what she can do for the UK Cypriot community, it is about the encouragement and motivation she can give our children so that they too can achieve in the country that their great grandparents and grandparents came to for a better life.
To donate, please log on to www.harlowlabour.org/suzy_stride
Follow Suzy on Twitter: suzy4harlow and Facebook: Suzy Stride