A MESSAGE FROM KEMAL:
I am honoured to have been selected as the Green Party’s candidate for Castle Ward in the 2024 local elections on the 2nd May. Below is a bit more about me and what I hope to work on if I get to represent you on the City Council.I came to Colchester in 2012 to study at the renowned School of Law and Human Rights Centre at the University of Essex. I loved the vibrant and diverse university life, and the green city with its warm and friendly people, and I have now been living, working and volunteering in Colchester for the past 12 years.
Award-winning volunteer at the University of Essex
Throughout my life, I have been volunteering and seeking to serve my local community. During my studies, I volunteered at the Law Clinic of the University of Essex, providing free legal advice to residents in Colchester. I also volunteered with several other organisations, including Redress, the Prisoners Advice Service and Inside Justice, for which I was awarded the Big Essex Award by the University, acknowledging my dedication to volunteering and community service. I care passionately about justice and creating a fair society, and after completing my undergraduate degree I went on to do an LLM in International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law with a thesis on conflict prevention and peacebuilding.
Working with communities, for communities
Following my studies, I volunteered for a charity based in Castle Ward providing free legal advice and support to war veterans. After I successfully appealed and won all my cases, my client profile was extended to a wider range of communities within Colchester and Essex. I also prepared a report on discrimination faced by tenants, including benefit claimants and refugees, and their rights under the law. In recognition of my work, I was invited by the Mayor of Colchester to attend a Civic Reception in the Town Hall for ‘distinguished individuals in the Volunteer sector with outstanding achievements and contributions’.
Successfully campaigned against harmful pesticide use in Colchester
I am committed to working for a better environment, and as Colchester Green Party’s Policy Officer, I lobbied the City Council and led a successful campaign against the use of the carcinogenic pesticide glyphosate in parks and outside people’s homes in Colchester. I am immensely proud to have contributed to making Colchester safer for our children, pets and wildlife, replacing harmful chemicals with sustainable alternatives.
Standing up for our community and the most vulnerable among us
In Colchester, 12% of our residents are single parents and 17.5% have a disability. Many of us have mental health conditions, and the latest data on mental health and wellbeing puts our city at the epicentre of a mental health crisis. As Policy Officer, I have received recognition and praise from other local party leaders and cross-party councillors for my policy work on mental health as well as crime prevention, deprivation and the discrimination of women and minority groups. I have worked actively with residents associations and community groups, but we need Greens in the Council Chamber to put these policies into action.
My Priorities on the City Council
1) I’ll be a proactive young voice working hard for you
Young people deserve representation and a voice in the Council. 72,000 of Colchester’s 192,700 residents are aged 29 or under. As a Young Green Councillor, I will work hard and be a voice for Colchester’s youth.
2) I’ll prioritise your safety and security
I have extensive knowledge of the legal system, and will use my legal background to continue my work on crime prevention. I am particularly concerned about the hate crimes affecting women, young people and minority groups, and will fight to make our Colchester streets safe for everyone.
3) Working with you and being your voice
I will continue to engage with residents, residents association and community groups and will be your voice on the City Council.
