,  By  T-VINE

Nesil Caliskan becomes the first female and first BAME Leader of the LGA Labour Group

Enfield Council Leader Nesil Caliskan’s trailblazing record in politics continues. On Monday, she was confirmed the Leader of the Labour Group of councillors and mayors within the Local Government Association (LGA) — the first time the Labour Group has been headed by a woman and a person from an ethnic minority background.

Caliskan was elected to the post unopposed and she now becomes one of the most senior Labour politicians in local government, representing the party’s 6,135 councillors in England and Wales.

As LGA Labour Leader, Caliskan will act as the main representative and spokesperson for the Labour Party’s work in local government.

She will attend Shadow Cabinet meetings as the Labour spokesperson in local government. She will head the Labour Group Executive and the party’s councillors and mayors in local government, giving them “a strong voice in challenging times, alongside a higher profile in policy and campaigns nationally.”

Of Turkish Cypriot heritage, Cllr Caliskan has been the Leader of Enfield Council since 2018. Aged 29 at the time, she was the youngest leader of a council in the country. She remains the country’s youngest female council leader.

Following her election on Monday, Caliskan told T-VINE: “It’s a huge privilege to be trusted to serve in the national role as the Leader of LGA Leader, representing Labour in local government. I am also proud to be LGA Labour’s first woman Leader, and first Leader from a Turkish Cypriot background.

“I look forward to working so that Labour continues to build on the outstanding gains in the recent local elections, showcasing the great work of Labour councillors across the country.

“Labour councils are the best examples of Labour in power. I want to make sure they are ready to work with the next Labour government led by Keir Starmer to deliver positive change for communities across the country.

“I’m looking forward to taking on this role alongside my work as Leader of Enfield Council. It will be a fantastic opportunity to promote the great work of Labour Councils and councillors around the country, especially everything the administration is doing in Enfield.”