Liberal Democrats in the North East Constituency – Islington, Hackney and Waltham Forest, have selected Meral Ece as their candidate for the London Assembly elections due in May 2008.
Meral Ece, an experienced campaigner and councillor, has been a councillor in Islington since 2002, and was the Cabinet Member for Health and Social Services 2002-6. She has also been a councillor serving on Hackney Council from 1994- 2002, and is currently the Chair of Overview and Scrutiny for Islington Council.
Meral was the first female councillor from a Turkish Cypriot background to be elected to public office, and was the first Turkish Parliamentary Candidate in 2001.
Meral has had a successful career in the NHS as the chief officer of a Community Health Council, campaigning for better health services.
Commenting on her selection, Meral said:
"I am extremely proud to be selected as candidate to represent the people of Islington, Hackney and Waltham Forest. I was born here, and have lived in this part of London all my life. I have had the privilege to represent people in Hackney and Islington since 1994.
"All three of my children went to state schools in both Islington and Hackney, where my son is currently studying for his A levels at Stoke Newington Sixth Form.
"I am determined that the communities of North East London should be effectively represented at the Greater London Assembly, instead of having a GLA member representing the Mayor of London to the electorate
"For too long the people of this part of London have not had an independent voice representing them at London level. If elected I will fight for the interests of all the communities within this constituency about the issues that concern them, like crime, safer streets, a greener and cleaner environment, social and affordable housing."
Ed Davey, MP for Kingston and Surbiton said, and Liberal Democrat Leader, Sir Menzies Campbell's, Chief of Staff, said:
"Meral has worked hard and effectively on behalf of the residents of Islington and Hackney. She is a well- known and very much respected figure in the Turkish Speaking communities. This selection is good news for the people of North East London, as they will have an opportunity to vote for a candidate who will put their interests first in the London Assembly, not those of Ken Livingstone."