Operation Greek vote, can we learn from other communities?

The aim of the project, Operation Greek vote, is to identify where those who are in the community live and help them ensure that they understand the benefits of exercising their democratic right to vote and fully participate. There are of course good practice examples of other organised communities in London that have shown us how this can be done. The most successful of these has been Operation Black vote. We will of course aim to work with other groups and unify our endeavours. Anyone who wishes to volunteer and help can contact Nick on Nick@lgr.co.uk the next major election in London is the one to elect the Mayor next year. We must be ready for that.

Operation Greek vote

One of the comments made by several readers is whether there is a need for us to organise as a Greek community. I would imagine the answer to  that question would be that in an ideal world we should not need to do this but unfortunately we do not live in a perfect world and discrimination against some in the community is still to be seen. The only valid and known way to engage with the democratic system of any country is for citizens to get involved and be able to vote. I frequently hear of stories from older members of the community who feel left out and younger people who do not believe that their needs and interests are protected in the same way as others. The only way to exercise any influence over this is to have a voice and the best way to have a strong voice is through the ballot box.

Operation Greek vote

The initial findings of the research we are contacting are showing that the majority of British citizens who either speak Greek or are of Greek origin are in about 9 London boroughs. The majority in Barnet, Enfield, Haringey, Camden, Hackney, Westminster and Croydon. People of the Parikia are of course to be found in every part of London.

So if we were to assume that there are 3 constituencies in each of the boroughs this fact would allow us to think that the Greek vote could have an impact on 27 constituencies which means that the influence the Parikia vote can have is significant. This is of course the reason we need to organise more effectively.

Operation Greek vote

Several people have contacted us asking why it is important for the Parikia to engage with this project? Well the answer is a simple one, it is important for every citizen of this country to be able to participate in the democratic process. Those who are eligible to vote need to register to do so. There are pockets of what we call first generation members of the Parikia who do not speak good English and would benefit with help and support in engaging. And then there are thousands of students who live and study here who can also register to vote.

Operation Greek vote

We raised this subject on several occassions in the past and explained the need for the Greek community in London to organise and encourage all who are eligible to vote to do so. I am glad that several people have now agreed to do the work and the research has now started.

Ελληνικη κοινοτιτα

Η ελληνική κοινότητα του Λονδίνου είναι  οργανομενη με  καπιο τροπο, αλλά χρειάζεται να γίνει μια προσπαθια για να προσδιορίσει όπου όλοι είμαστε.

Υπάρχουν 32 εκλογικές περιοχές στο Λονδινο. Η πλειοψηφία του ελληνικού πληθυσμού μπορούν να βρεθούν σε 12 από αυτούς τους τομείς.

Υπάρχει σαφής ανάγκη να κάνουμε περισσότερη έρευνα για να διαπιστωθεί κατά το που  όλοι είμαστε και πως οι ηγέτες της κοινότητας μπορουν να βοηθήσουν με την ανάπτυξη μας.

συνταξιοδοτικές αλλαγές

σημαντική αλλαγή όσο οι κρατικές συντάξεις είναι ενδιαφερόμενη προέρχεται από το συνταξιοδοτικό νόμο το 2007 αυτό ανατρέφει την κρατική ηλικία συνταξιοδότησης από 65 έως 66 έτη.