I founded
@MyLifeMySay
to give young people the confidence to stand up and be counted when decisions are made about our future.
It was great to chat with New York Times (
@NyTimes
) about my work and story.
Thank you for all your kind messages of support 😇🙏
Not going to lie, this brings back trauma.
When my family first received a notice to be deported back to Cyprus, my mum would hide my brother and me at family friends' houses in fear that the UK border agency would come knocking on our door.
Your dream was my nightmare.
‘I would love to be having a front page of The Telegraph with a plane taking off to Rwanda. That’s my dream. That’s my obsession’ Home Secretary Suella Braverman
Never forget - while other politicians in the UK sucked up to Donald Trump, the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan bravely called him out.
Thank you
@SadiqKhan
for standing up to Trump and being on the right side of history.
Can you imagine the grief Raheem Sterling would get if he jumped in his car drove 260 miles with COVID-19 and then risked spreading it all around a hospital in another part of the country?
Yesterday evening, my cousin at the age of only 38 tragically passed away after having contracted Covid-19.
Please keep her young family in your prayers. We are far from defeating this deadly virus.
The Tories are driving our country, our currency and our communities into the ground.
It’s vital we put a stop to them.
That’s why I’m standing to be Kensington’s next Labour MP.
“With a best friend you have a responsibility to be direct and honest when you believe they are making a mistake”
Hats off to
@SadiqKhan
for calling it out like it is 👏👏👏
I’m Mete Coban, a 28 year old, born in Northern Cyprus, raised in Hackney, with two immigrant parents whose dad is a cab driver and mum is a care worker.
I dedicate this honour to the youth of Hackney - keep fighting to make this world a better place ✊🏼✊🏾
The company behind the vaccine news is BioNTech, and the founders are both kids of immigrants: Uğur Şahin and Özlem Türeci.
Just posting this as a little reminder about the contribution that immigrants make to society.
🧰 I’m delighted to launch the Dalston Library of Things, where you will be able to borrow items to get your household jobs done cheaper.
We remain committed to building a circular economy, reducing waste and tackling the climate crisis 🌍✌🏾
➡️
NEW: I’m delighted to announce that
@HackneyCouncil
will install 675 new cycle hangars - 4,000 secure bike parking spaces.
These new cycle hangars will help get more people cycling and help rebuild a greener Hackney ✌🏾🌍
I’m delighted to announce that Church Street will be closed to through traffic in the daytime to help reimagine Stoke Newington.
Tackling the climate crisis starts local, and working together with our communities, we will rebuild a greener Hackney.
➡️
Our economy is in tatters, NHS broken, and our planet is burning.
You would think Sunak has enough on his plate, but instead, he’s fuelling culture wars.
The Prime Minister is not a serious candidate to take this country forward.
“If I was one of the children whose life has just been damaged, I’d be out there now, and I’d insist my parents came too.”
Hats off to
@campbellclaret
for saying it how it is 👏👏👏
Hackney North Labour Party just voted for a motion to remain and reform in the EU - It’s time to move beyond just asking for a
@peoplesvote_uk
and be clear about our position ✊🏼✊🏾
This young boy born in a non-recognised state and raised in one of the poorest neighbourhoods in London just landed a contract with the United Nations and the United States of America to help strengthen their youth engagement.
Proud of my team at
@MyLifeMySay
😇🙏
NEW: I’m delighted to announce that
@HackneyCouncil
will be making the Homerton LTN scheme permanent.
Traffic and pollution levels is down, with bus speeds improving.
Together, we will rebuild a greener Hackney with cleaner air, healthier lives and better neighbourhoods 👊🏼✌🏾
So, firstly I’m fine and not hurt, but during my run this morning, a group tried to attack me. One of them swung for a punch and the other tried to grab me, but luckily I got away and wasn’t hurt. It all happened so quick - very confused. On the plus side, I still finished my run
I’m incredibly humbled to receive an MBE in the New Years Honours list.
I’m proud of my team’s work this year, and thankful to everyone for their support over the years.
Thank you for all your kind messages.
Just came across 4 police officers at Stratford station searching 2 young black boys for no reason.
When I asked them why are you searching them, one of them told me “I have to stop these people getting stabbed.”
This cannot be our response to knife crime. Disgusted
I'm all for public scrutiny, but every time I make a public announcement on Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, I receive countless threats and racist/abusive posts on social media.
Just 2 weeks ago, I had someone holding an object and a camera to my face.
This shouldn’t be normal:
🚨Some personal news🚨
I'm delighted to announce my new role on the Board of Directors for the Global Fund for Children.
@Global4Children
helps support community-based organizations around the world to help children & youth reach their full potential and advance their rights.
I’ve been informed about a nonsensical article that the Telegraph plans to run on me, calling me a climate hypocrite for taking flights.
In a week where Sunak and Cameron fly to Dubai on private jets, of course, they target young activists 1/3
The Chancellor is reportedly set to cut fuel duty. What about bus and rail fares?
This Government isn’t serious about tackling the cost of living crisis for lower income families.
And it certainly isn’t serious about tackling climate change.
BIG news from Hackney …
We’ve just found out we won the LGC’s National Award for our response to climate change.
The award recognises
@HackneyCouncil
as the UK’s most ambitious local authority tackling the climate crisis.
I couldn’t be prouder of the team 🏆
Hands down this is one of the proudest moments of my life. Here in Brussels championing 4.5 million young Brits in a meeting with senior officials from the EU Council & Commission negotiating team. We want our VOICES to be heard ✊🏼✊🏾
🚨 Some personal news 🚨
I am delighted to announce that
@PhilipGlanville
has appointed me as Hackney’s new Cabinet Member for Energy, Waste, Transport and Public Realm.
The climate emergency remains a top priority, and with our community, we will rebuild a greener Hackney ✊🏼✊🏾
I’m delighted to launch the new Stoke Newington Church Street bus gate - designed to improve air quality.
Go out, shop local and reimagine the future of what our neighbourhoods could be.
Together, we will tackle the climate crisis and rebuild a greener Hackney ✊🏼✊🏾
The Chancellor is cutting fuel duty by 5p per litre. What about bus and rail fares?
This Government isn’t serious about tackling the cost of living crisis for lower income families.
And it certainly isn’t serious about tackling climate change
#SpringStatement
Sometimes you’ve got to take matters into your hand.
THANK YOU to everyone in Stoke Newington & Hackney for their generosity during this crisis.
There are dozens of brilliant orgs working tirelessly on the frontline including
@HackneyFoodbank
,
@BaduSports
& many others 🙏
I’m officially 30 today!
I feel very blessed for all the opportunities and experiences I’ve had thus far. And, grateful to my family and friends, who without, I wouldn’t be who I am.
Here’s to the next decade 🤙🥳
My mum attended a community event over the weekend where she was abused by a couple of anti-LTN residents.
Whatever disagreements people may have with my policies, my family is totally off bounds.
Delighted to have made the longlist to be Labour’s candidate for Kensington.
Thank you for everyone’s support so far, and I’m ready to keep campaigning for every vote ✊🏼✊🏾
Make no mistake about it that this is an attempt to suppress minority and underrepresented communities from exercising their democratic right to have a say on the future of our country. We must stand up for our democracy!!
NEW: Cargo bike sharing to launch in Stoke Newington, Shoreditch and London Fields.
Our residents and businesses are passionate about doing all they can to help improve air quality - we’re launching this scheme to provide easy access for e-cargo bikes.
I’m delighted to announce
@HackneyCouncil
’s new plan to reduce traffic and pollution. This includes:
🌿 8 new Low Traffic Neighbourhoods
🚸 Reaching 60 School Streets including secondary schools
🚲 4,000 secure bike parking spaces
🚘 Reducing main road traffic
… 1/2
NEW: I’m delighted to announce that the Stoke Newington Low Traffic Neighbourhood will be permanent.
⬆️ 🚶♀️🚶🏻♂️ Footfall up by 18%
⬆️ 🚴🏼♂️🚴♀️ Cycling up by 39%
⬆️ 💷 Card transactions up 200%
⬇️ 🚘 Traffic is down by 60%
✅ 60% of residents support the scheme
And so much more!
Here is a snapshot of the homophobic, racist and abusive tweets I’ve received after announcing our plans to rebuild a greener Hackney.
Hackney will always stand up against racism, homophobia and any other form of hate.
For those who seek to divide us, you will never win.
“We can create a country where never again will someone’s race, background or socialeconomic status determine the difference between life and death.”
Hats off to
@SadiqKhan
for calling it out like it is 👏👏👏
I’m incredibly proud that Hackney has had a huge part in making this happen.
This new trial in Hackney with Amazon will reduce tonnes of transport emissions and traffic, and help support our efforts to tackle the climate emergency✌🏾🌍
Beth Rigby: “Why did you call Muslim women letterboxes?”
Boris Johnson responds by saying British people want politicians to say what they mean. *Audience applauds*
Terrifying times
I'm sorry to say I wasn't chosen as Labour's candidate for Kensington. Of course I'm gutted, but I want to take the opportunity to congratulate
@josephpowell
for his selection.
This country desperately needs a Labour government, and … 1/2
Diane is so right.
Every week, I receive dozens of messages from parents about how our School Streets and LTNs are making a massive difference.
Low Traffic Neighbourhoods are protecting the lungs of our children and improving their safety in Hackney 👊🏼✌🏾🌍
Five years ago, we made history by selecting
@SadiqKhan
to be our Mayoral candidate.
He is an inspiration and represents the very best of London.
Without him, neither I nor
@MyLifeMySay
would be what it is today, and I’m proud to call him our Mayor of London 👊🏼✌🏾❤️
Delighted to have made the shortlist to be Labour’s candidate for Kensington.
Thank you for everyone’s support so far, and I’m looking forward to working together to build a better Kensington.
Join our campaign at
NEW: Main road traffic levels in Hackney in 2022 were 6% lower than last year and in the year before the pandemic.
In the new year, I will be announcing a new set of measures aiming to reduce traffic by 15% by 2026
@HackneyCouncil
.
It’s quite shocking for an inner London borough to have parking spaces available in the middle of the road but have no room for cycle lanes.
@BetterStreetsKC
,
@WillNorman
can you help
@RBKC
?
A huge honour to welcome the Mayor of London
@SadiqKhan
to Hackney on polling day!
You have until 10pm to vote for your future.
If you love London, vote for it ✊🏼✊🏾
NEW: I’m delighted to announce that
@HackneyCouncil
will be making the Hoxton West LTN scheme permanent.
Traffic and pollution levels are down, with bus speeds improving.
Together, we will rebuild a greener Hackney with cleaner air, healthier lives & better neighbourhoods 👊🏼✌🏾
NEW: The London Fields LTN scheme will be made permanent - with some changes.
Overall traffic levels are down with a significant improvement in air quality.
We will continue to work with residents to help reduce Hackney’s traffic by 15% by 2026.
I’m incredibly humbled to be re-elected as a
@UKLabour
Councillor for Stoke Newington.
Thank you to everyone who voted for me and those who supported our campaign over the past few months.
#FourMoreYears
✊🏼✊🏾
"Just Leave. Leaving, after all, seems to be the one thing this lot know how to do."
Brilliant read by
@CampbellClaret
on why it's too late to undo most of the damage caused by Boris Johnson's Government
🚨 BREAKING: New interim analysis from the London Fields low traffic neighbourhood shows that traffic levels have decreased on average:
🟢 Inside the LTN ⬇️ 44%
🟢 Boundary roads ⬇️ 21%
▶️ Read more
How is it 16 degrees on New Years Day in London right now?!!
If we all have a NY resolution list, can we all please pledge to do one thing to help protect our planet?
Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that I would be giving a talk at
#Glastonbury
🎪
Democracy is under threat, and our country is in deep crisis.
We can only begin to meet those challenges if we prioritise the voices of young people
@GlastoLeftField
✊🏼✊🏾
Yesterday was my award ceremony, where I received my MBE from HRH Prince Charles at St James Palace.
My grandad would have been so proud to see the contributions both his son and grandson have made to the UK and for those achievements to be recognised by the future King.
It was a huge honour to be invited to speak at the Oxford Union yesterday.
As a Hackney boy and the proud son of asylum seekers, I never thought that I’d see the day when I’d step foot into such a historical chamber, let alone as a speaker.
Thank you everyone for your support🙏
Hackney is London’s capital of cycling, and we’re proud to be working with TfL to expand our safe cycle routes.
This new cycle lane in Millfields forms part of our ambitious plan to provide a safe route between Lea Bridge and Dalston, which will encourage more people to cycle.
We cannot sit by whilst our children grow up with stunted lungs, asthma and the associated health risks.
That’s why Hackney has been bold in tackling toxic air pollution with 19 LTNs, 48 School Streets, more bus priority and cycling infrastructure.
33 years ago today,
@HackneyAbbott
made change by becoming the first black woman elected to parliament.
She inspired thousands from BAME backgrounds to stand for office changing the face of British politics - I am one of those.
Thank you for everything, Diane ✊🏽✊🏾
When I was a teenager, free travel in London enabled me to access opportunities and connect with people that I never would have been able to.
I’m joining
@SadiqKhan
calling on the Govt to scrap their plans to remove free travel for under 18s in London
As someone who benefited from free school meals, I can’t describe just how much this will mean for working families.
Thank you,
@SadiqKhan
, for your exemplary leadership 👏👏👏
🗳 NEW polling shows a quarter of Hackney residents say they’re walking and cycling more as a result of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and School Streets.
66% of residents support the aim of Rebuilding a Greener Hackney ✌🏾🌍
➡️ More here
@HackneyCouncil
We have a narrow window to act on climate change before it’s too late.
And that window is closing rapidly.
Just look at the difference between 1976 and 2022.
I'm sick of hearing young people blamed for spreading coronavirus - they're the ones who will pull us out of the crisis | My piece for the Independent
@IndyVoices
@Independent
▶️ Read more
NEW: I’m delighted to announce the Hackney Central and Pembury Circus Green Corridor — the biggest public realm investment in Hackney’s history.
With 229 traffic collisions since 2017, people can no longer afford to wait.
This is why we are taking action ⬇️
More than 50% of people living within LTNs in Hackney live in social housing.
Our Low Traffic plan aims to tackle toxic air pollution and help protect our children's lungs.
Here I am speaking to
@BBCNews
about the most ambitious traffic reduction plan in the UK ✌🏾🌍
I’m proud to be an ally member of
@JewishLabour
and honoured to have their support to be Kensington’s next Labour MP.
We must never again let down our Jewish members, friends and communities. We have made progress, and there is more to do.
📉 Traffic is down both inside and around the Hoxton West Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) following its introduction, new monitoring data shows.
🚶🏿♂️ Supporting people to walk, shop and cycle locally
🌿 Rebuilding a greener Hackney
ℹ
🌍 I’m delighted to announce
@HackneyCouncil
’s roadmap to net zero - setting out our vision to rebuild a greener Hackney!
Tackling the climate emergency is our top priority - we must act now to clean up our air, protect our kids and save our planet
@MayorofHackney
#LCAW2021
✊🏼✊🏾
I’m proud to be backed by
@GMB_union
to be Labour’s next parliamentary candidate for Kensington.
GMB has led the way in fighting for working people.
I'll look forward to working with GMB and members to help deliver a better future for Kensington ✊🏼✊🏾
Just a reminder: When the Mayor of London forced Cressida Dick to resign, the Tory response wasn’t to back him up, it was to launch an investigation into…
@SadiqKhan
.
That shows how seriously the Tories take institutional racism, misogyny and homophobia.
Wow! I launched a petition on
@UKChange
which has already gathered over 210,000 signatures.
What
@BorisJohnson
has done today is unprecedented and deeply undemocratic.
Here’s what you can do:
✅ Retweet this video
✅ Sign the petition:
It doesn't matter how much they follow me on my runs or my day-to-day movements; I am here to serve my community and make sure our children can grow up in a greener and cleaner world that we all deserve to share.
Yesterday, I was delighted to launch the UK’s first ever cargo bike hire scheme with local businesses and colleagues from neighbouring boroughs.
The scheme is pioneered by
@ZENCityfringe
and is to reduce transport costs and emissions for our residents and businesses.
We are in the biggest crisis of our lifetime and our Prime Minister is nowhere to be seen.
Please don’t ever forget that he missed FIVE cobra meetings at the height of the pandemic.
@campbellclaret
@DominicRaab
I came back from the US into heathrow airport and walked through like a normal working day. No testing, no temperature check, no questions, nada.
On National Voter Registration Day, I met with
@Keir_Starmer
to discuss the barriers facing young people voting in elections.
Keir has always been a passionate advocate for young people and a friend to
@MyLifeMySay
✊🏼✊🏾
As of today, I have been a member of the Labour Party for 15 years - that’s more than half my life.
I will never forget my first meeting: there were 4 people (including me), and we spent the first hour debating whether the meeting was quorate and the minutes of the last meeting.
🚲 Starting next month we're installing the first of 675 new bike hangars in Hackney, providing over 4,000 secure bike parking spaces
We’ll have more hangars than any other council in London - helping thousands more residents cycle regularly
@HackneyLabour
✊🏼✊🏾