Council Leader's letter to Yvette Cooper - sent in partnership with Haringey Welcome. Celebrating our diversity

Hello to Everyone.

Yesterday the Leader of the Council, alongside Haringey Welcome, wrote to Yvette Cooper about the Government's recent Immigration White Paper. The letter is set out below in italics. Our council's commitment to, and celebration of our multi-cultural and richly diverse borough.

Zena Brabazon
Cllr, Harringay ward

"Dear Home Secretary,
 
We are writing to you about the Government's recent Immigration White Paper. Our vision is to be a borough where everyone can belong and thrive. Haringey Council has made a commitment to make our borough a welcoming place reflecting our proud history of standing up for those who have fled persecution or come here to make a better life for themselves.  
 
Migrants have shaped our borough for the better. We have a female council leader of Turkish Cypriot and Muslim origin whose parents made Haringey their home and had to learn English when they arrived in the 1950s and 60s. Haringey Council and this story is reflective of the diverse range of councillors and staff that mirror our community. 
 
Haringey is one of the most diverse boroughs in the UK, home to people from over 100 countries, speaking more than 180 languages. This rich cultural tapestry isn’t just something we celebrate—it’s something that makes our community stronger, more resilient, and more vibrant. From the battle of Wood Green to continuing to standing up to the threat of the Far Right we have continued to stand shoulder to shoulder against those who wish to divide us. We have stepped up locally to support those who are fleeing persecution and put our values into action whether that be recent Afghan, Syrian and Ukrainian resettlement support. 

Migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees are not burdens - they are neighbours, friends, key workers, carers, entrepreneurs, and essential members of our society. Every day, they continue to contribute to our local economy and enrich our culture. As a borough we celebrate this contribution of our diverse community from Windrush Day, to our work with multi faith forum, to recently marking Easter, Eid, Newroz and Passover.

It’s why Haringey Council, alongside voluntary sector partners, introduced a Welcome Strategy and Welcome Advisory Board. Organisations such as Haringey Welcome have played a vital role in building the foundations of a borough that has zero tolerance for any form of hate or discrimination.  

While we understand the government needs to set clear rules on migration that make the system fair and transparent, this must be in step with British values of tolerance and being a welcoming place. 
 

Yours sincerely 

Cllr Peray Ahmet

Leader of the Council | Haringey Council 

Lucy Nabijou

Co-founder, Haringey Welcome"

https://x.com/haringeycouncil/status/1923051477423050919?t=fB8DZxek...

Best wishes,

Cllr Peray Ahmet

Leader of Haringey Council