Of the 119 people standing for election to the London Assembly via the London-wide Assembly list on 5th May, there is only one Greek-Cypriot, Chris Paouros, who is standing for the Women’s Equality Party, the UK’s newest and fastest growing political party.
Paouros, 42 from North London, decided to stand because she felt change for women hasn’t been made as fast as it should. Having run a London business for nearly twenty years, Paouros felt the time was right to step up and focus her substantial experience and energy on the London elections.
“I love London. It’s the greatest city in the world but I believe it could be even greater. My parents moved to North London from Cyprus in the 1960s and since then a lot has changed, but not enough for women. I want to make things better. For everyone.”
As well as the London-wide Assembly, there are also 86 Constituency London Assembly members which totals to 205 candidates battling it out for the 25 available London Assembly seats.
“Given London’s large Cypriot population, it is important our community is served and represented on the London Assembly,” said Paouros on her decision to stand.
“I care about the reunification of Cyprus. I want my parents to be able to go back to their childhood homes but also for those who have grown up in the occupied lands to be safe.”
| Don’t lose your vote – register now
There are just a few weeks left before Londoners go to the polls on Thursday 5 May to elect a new mayor and a new Greater London Assembly – make sure you register before the closing date on 18 April. If you want to vote, you must be aged 18 or over on polling day and included on the electoral register. The government changed the registration regulations in June 2014 and this means that each person must register individually. This was a big change from one householder listing all eligible people living at the same address so some people may think they’re registered when they’re not. If you are eligible, make sure you do not lose your vote because they are not on the list. If you are not already registered go online today at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote And for those who have already registered but want a postal vote, please make sure that you complete and return your application by 5pm on Tuesday 19 April 2016. Forms can be downloaded at: www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/how-do-i-vote/voting-by-post
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