Barnet residents left “disappointed but determined” after the council meeting

On Tuesday 9th July local Turkish Cypriot residents of Barnet attended a council meeting which called for changes to council twinning programs with the municipality of Morphou located in Northern Cyprus.

Seyyare Beyzade spoke at the meeting to emphasize that Turkish Cypriot residents felt: “We were not allowed a voice or an equal position compared to other communities. Instead, Barnet Council used taxpayers’ money to act as a sounding board for anti-Turkish and Turkish-Cypriot propaganda…”

Beyzade addressed the deep history between the divided island and asked the council about how the twinning program has excluded Turkish Cypriots living in the neighbourhood. She highlighted a number of incidents where Turkish Cypriots felt discriminated against, from “attempts to ban advertising in Northern Cyprus, which the High Court found illegal” to children being forced to attend Greek Orthodox school, although it is not one of their top five preferences. .

Beyzade called for “a commitment to the full involvement of the Turkish Cypriot community in any other events in the Cyprus district and twinning with Morphou/Guzelyúrt” and “a commitment to proactively support Turkish Cypriot culture and a positive promotion effort.” our community in Barnet.”

In response, leading councilor Barry Rawlings hit back at Ms Beyzade’s examples as “baseless claims of racism” which would be discussed further outside the meeting. He then said of the students who did not receive there schools of choice “Father’s choice, no one is forced to go to a school, there home education.”

Cllr Rawlings went on to say: “The UK does not recognize the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus as an independent state. As a local authority and in accordance with UK Government policy, it would not be appropriate for us to engage with the council…”

The leader stated that they would take note of the deputation but would not take any action and the council would be aware of any change in government policy.

Cllr Richard Cornelius, leader of the opposition party Conservatives for Barnet, added: “Foreign policy is not a matter for Barnet council.” He touched on the fact that he himself visited Morphou, saying that he “feels for all those who cannot enjoy their properties and live happily where they were raised.” Adding “The Conservative Party would like to hear all allegations of racism. Anyone who makes such an allegation deserves to have their conversation heard and we need to address this.”

After the meeting, Beyzade expressed his disappointment that no action had been taken, saying “This is a fight we intend to continue.”