British Cypriot Bambos Charalambous, 49, won a seat in the House of Commons last Thursday, after he came first in Enfield Southgate for Labour with 24,989 votes.

“I know that Cypriots will look to me for guidance and representation,” he said. “I hope I prove worthy of their expectations.”

Charalambous said he had not fully realized what had happened, even though he was optimistic about the result of the poll in his constituency, located in North London, which has the largest Cypriot population in the UK.

“I had a good team with me. We knew the constituency had voted overwhelmingly against Brexit in the referendum. We set Brexit at the centre of our campaign and we were vindicated.”

Charalambous said UK Cypriots had supported him and he knows their concerns about the Cyprus problem.

“I will try to be someone they can count on.”

Gasps and cheers of delight rang out for Bambos Charalambous when his victory in Enfield Southgate was announced.

He beat his Tory rival by a massive 4,355 votes.

It was third time lucky for Mr Charalambous who first clashed with David Burrowes in 2010 and again in 2015.

Elated, he stepped up to the microphone as people danced in front of the stage and simply said: “Wow!”

He said: “The Brexit vote was a big disappointment for the majority of us. Most people voted Remain in Enfield and are worried about the future.

“I will fight for housing, schools and will fight education cuts. But most of all I will fight for the many and not for the few.

“Enfield Southgate has spoken and you now have an MP who will listen to the people and who people can trust in.”

Charalambous has been a councillor in Palmers Green since 1994.

He is the first UK Cypriot MP in London and the second ever in the UK. He was born in London to parents from Kalo Choro and Fasoula.

Elsewhere, Jason Charalambous of the Conservatives came second in Islington South and Finsbury behind Labour’s Emily Thornberry, while Anton Georgiou, a LibDem candidate, finished third.

Cypriot Gonul Daniels of the Conservative came second to Kate Osamor in Edmonton.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, speaking following his re-election as the MP for Islington North, said people had voted “for hope for the future.”

Mr Corbyn, who won his seat with more than 40,000 votes, said at the election count: “The prime minister called this election because she wanted a mandate. Well the mandate she’s got is lost Conservative seats, lost votes, lost support and lost confidence.”

 

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