Ayfer Orhan, 46 year old Turkish Cypriot will be aiming to get a seat in Parliament in the May elections. She is Labour’s candidate for North West Cambridgeshire.

  How did you find yourself in politics with a graphical designer background?

After studying graphics and fine arts I started my own design business and for 8 years I worked in this business. But during the mid 80’s, the years of Tory rule, and during the years when the government was encouraging everyone to take out loans and invest in their business. I was also one of these people who listened and invested. But as we know eventually people couldn’t keep up payments and many businesses had to close. Many people had to sell their homes. I too went through a very difficult time and I too had to close my business.But rather than taking it all in I got angry so angry that the first thing I did was to join the Labour party!

  In your interview with The Guardian, you said that no one knew you to be Cypriot or Muslim. Did this have an effect on where you are today in politics?

I think cultural diversity has always existed in Europe and it is sad that now and especially after 9/11 there is friction and tension between the Muslim and Christian cultures. Unfortunately before we can work to settle the tension we had one major issue and another to deal with and this only compounded the division between the two cultures, in many regions making it difficult for these two communities to trust each other.

The teachings in the Quran are about respect and tolerance and its interpretation is as diverse as we are.The Guardian debate reflected the wonderful diversity of the Quran and its people. The message in the Quran is not negative, it’s positive; I think that it is a beautiful and gentle religion for me it means a focus on prayer and self development and externally respecting of others. I believe we can learn and grow by messages of all the religions of the world. I was a little annoyed with the guardian because on their front cover they used the stereotypical image and I participated to challenge this, I wanted to show that there are many different types of people in the Muslim culture just as there are many types of Christians in the world. If I had covered my head this would have been a barrier for me in much the same as my name has been. I was annoyed with the guardian because they put the stereotypical image at the front again and I went to them to challenge their stereotype. If I had covered my head this would have been a barrier for me like my name has been being so foreign

  Has being a single mum stood in your way?

Not in the British society but in my social life with the Turkish society, when I got divorced most of my married friends never called me again.

  How did your children cope with your work load? Did it affect them?

Yes. I had to give up my job to do the work properly and my salary was dramatically reduced and I became busier once I became a councilor. This affected my children as I was not there for them as much as before. However, I believe I have been a good role model for both of them as a woman to my daughter who is at college and to my son who is now studying at University.

  Has your children been influenced by you and are they also interested in politics?

My son is very active in the student union at University and my daughter has joined the Labour party. So long as they enjoy it I will support them.

  Where do you think women stand in the British society? Why are there such few women in the parliament?

Labour did very well in the 1997 elections and with a women’s only short-list.Women definitely need to get involved in politics and social activities; they need to believe in their power, they need to be aware of how powerful their vote is. I am sure they’ll vote for people who they believe can represent them well, maybe from the same back round and gender. I am hopeful that in the next parliament we will have more Muslims and maybe more Turkish members in parliament; even if I don’t get in I would like to see Turkish MP’s there. Especially in Europe as Turkey role is now made more critical.

  Where would you like to see the Turkish community in britian?

I would want to see more Turkish members in the parliament, whether it’s me or someone else, I want to see role models in parliament, positive role models. I want to see more councilors in local authority; I want to see more women in parliament. I go to meetings and it’s so lonely it’s all male, and it is very rewarding to see men so involved but I would love to see women there with me.

For the future I believe that we need to learn from our past in particular the Turkish Cypriot past where we have invested too much time and energy in the politics of Cyprus. I know that a lot of good Cypriot have worked really hard in politics here and what we have learned is how our actions, contacts and lobbying influences the politics of Cyprus.

  Having been a member of the council and now a candidate how and are you seeking to support our community?

I have said too often that I am willing to help anyone; I have assist Joan Ryan MP during her surgery times and every Friday I see people in need and try to help as many as possible.

Once two women approached me and said Ms.Ayfer help! They had young boys who were not going to school and were not getting the services that they needed, so I started mentoring these two young men which took a couple of years, it’s a big commitment. One had learning difficulties but managed to get into college and the other went onto university. It’s a very serious commitment but very rewarding especially when you see them doing so well.

I am currently mentoring a young man - he is interested in politics. Once I’m in parliament I will continue to support others particularly if they want to take up a public position. There is so much to do we need so many people.

  Why do you think Labour supports Turkey’s accession to the EU?

There are still many discussions to the final stages of when Turkey finally joins. I think that with Turkey joining it would be a force for good in the Middle East. It is of course geographically very well placed, and also its soldiers well trained and they would be an excellent resource and very useful for this region. In Europe the population is an aging population in relation to its young. In few years time there will not be enough young people working to support the retired.

In Europe there aren’t enough people of a working age. To keep the economy working to keep it running. Europe needs Turkey.

  Regarding the Cyprus issue, it is said that Turkey is being pushed into a corner. What is your view on that?

Turkey should not let go of its principals, I hope that Turkey honors its interest to the people of Cyprus and continue to represent the people of Cyprus in its talks with Europe. I believe in the Annan plan and it is important that Turkish Cypriots are included in the discussions of Cyprus. I do not believe in discriminatory tactics nor in exclusion of one community living on an island which is whole European, I trust and believe that Turkey will continue to serve the interest of Turkish Cypriots.

  Do you think Turkey did what it could?

The fact that Cyprus is still a discussion for Europe suggests that they are committed to Cyprus. I hope that commitment continues.

  If there were issues which you didn’t agree with Labour what will you do?

If I was in such a situation where I did not agree with my party, there are stages that you can declare different view points, I hope that through effective lobbying and discussions I can alter decisions and in some way influence the decisions that my party makes.

  What are your views about Labour’s approach to Iraq and its policy?

I went through a dilemma during that period like all Muslims did, it almost caused my sending in my resignation to the Labour party but in the end I thought I would be far more of value staying in then getting out.

I don’t believe I would have achieved more outside than I did inside the Labour party. I believe you can only change people’s views by reason and discussion not by force.

  How do you think Labour’s votes be will be effected in the coming elections?

I hope people will judge Labour by its Stable and good economy, it’s sold reforms and social policies and not just by this issue.

  What do you think about the Turkish exhibition?

I think it was held at the right time, I think it has made a huge cultural impact and has been a great cultural shock to those who have seen it and who had stereotypical views about Turks. I am very proud of it and hope that this will be followed on with more similar events. These kind of events show the real richness and diversity of Turkey.

  Do you think your supporters are mainly Turkish?

No no no (smiles), I’ve got supporters from all types of backgrounds. But I must admit I would have left politics long ago if Turkish people hadn’t supported me.

  Thank you for accepting Professionals Insight invitation for an interview.

Thanks you for inviting me. Best of luck.