Determined to tackle under-achievement of Kurdish and Turkish boys

Meg Hillier, Labour parliamentary candidate for Hackney South and Shoreditch recently celebrated Newroz – Kurdish New Year – and spoke on Kurdish TV of her commitment to help Kurdish and Turkish young people.

‘This extended celebration of Newroz in London is a real sign of arrival for London Kurds and Turkish speaking people. It is great that as well as the celebrations, serious issues about health and education are being discussed in the wider political arena.

‘As a future MP I am particularly keen to see that Kurds and Turkish speaking people benefit equally from public services in London. I applaud the work done by Labour’s London Schools minister Stephen Twigg which has highlighted the under-achievement of many Kurdish and Turkish boys in London’s schools.

‘It is essential that these young people have the same opportunities as all Londoners to achieve their potential. This will be one of my key focuses as the next MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch.’

Newroz has been celebrated for 20 years in London, recently in Finsbury Park. This year it was a two week event with seminars on aspects of Kurdish policy for Kurds in the UK, as well as the international dimension.

This year it was a big celebration for 7,500 people from around the UK at Alexandra Palace. Famous artist Selda Bagcan performed, along with singing, music, speeches.