• I WAS pleased to facilitate a recent meeting between the Algerian consul Kenza Benali, council leader Councillor Richard Watts and Councillor Kaya Comer-Schwartz, executive member for community development.

Islington is a diverse and exciting place, and one of our greatest strengths is our neighbours from all over the world, making the culture of our borough richer. It is very important for every community to be represented in our Town Hall, and every voice heard.

In our meeting we discussed a range of topics, including issues important to the Algerian community in the borough, Islington Labour’s bold manifesto and our commitment to equalities.

One of the issues regularly raised by the Algerian community in Islington is the very real worry of those who have moved to the UK on an EU passport, and don’t know where they will stand post-Brexit.

It is clear that Labour’s support for maintaining the rights of EU citizens in the UK is incredibly important to communities in our borough, and we will continue to call for the Tory government to guarantee the rights of EU citizens post-Brexit.

I am proud that Labour is on the side of our residents, ensuring that their voices are heard, and look forward to continuing to maintain strong links between the council and the Algerian community in Islington.

CLLR MOUNA HAMITOUCHE
Labour, Barnsbury ward