Wednesday 27 January 2016
Over 70 community representatives from the London-wide Somali diaspora converged last night in central London. They were invited by Julian Gallant, Chairman of Ealing Central and Acton Conservatives, they were there to support Zac Goldsmith’s campaign to become Mayor of London in 2016.
Zac Goldsmith MP joined other Conservative Party MPs at the event. The Conservative Mayoral candidate spoke of his No.1 priority – housing, and how he wished to improve the affordability and availability of homes.
He also made it clear that he was going to act to restrict damaging strikes on the London Underground. LU strikes cost the London economy up to £350m per day.
In response to a question, Zac explained that the Government’s new £20m initiative to provide English Language lessons to Muslim women was all about helping to empower women and assist them to integrate more easily here in Britain.
Dr Matthew Offord MP, who has agreed to sponsor the Somali Conservatives’ initiative in Parliament, highlighted that the Conservatives are the Party that appeals to everyone. Conservative Outreach Director Colin Bloom had a similar message, and made clear that he hoped to see Conservative Somali councillors and a Somali MP in the near future.
The meeting was attended by Somalis from all over London. Mohamed Yussuf Ali (Acton, West London) encouraged the Somali diaspora to get off the sidelines and to become political actors by taking a stake in society. He finished his speech by endorsing Zac Goldsmith for Mayor of London and urged the Somali diaspora to “help Zac make and remake this great city we now call home…”
Abbas Buralle (Walthamstow, East London), welcomed all the guests and specially thanked the Somali community for their support for the #BackZacCampaign, and urged them to continue. Abbas also asked the Somali community to become active members of Somali Conservatives. He ended, “We do have to been seen and heard.”
Other guests at the event included:
Abukar Awale, Somali Channel Presenter
Mohamed Ibrahim, Chairman of London Somali Youth Forum
Bishara Mohamud and Adam Matan, Anti Tribalism Movement (ATM)
Kasim Ali, Worldwide Somali Students & Professionals (WSSP)
Abdihafid Jama – Senior Producer Universal TV
Nor Mahad (Walthamstow Somali Community)
Abdi Afrax (Walthamstow Somali Community)
Mohamed Buraleh (Somali Diaspora UK)
Mohamed Jimcale (Leyton, East London)
Abdikani Ahmed (Harrow, West London)
Hassan Ilmi (Hackney, North London)
Iqra Geele (Elephant and Castle, South London)
Stephen Hammond MP (Wimbledon)
Angie Bray, former MP for Ealing Central and Acton
Simon Bishop, office of Rt Hon Justine Greening MP
Greg Stafford, Conservative Group Leader on Ealing Council
