Ertan Hurer, one of the key players in Enfield council who spearheaded a drive that saw a 20% drop in knife crime in the borough speaks with The London Daily News and outlines his vision for London and what to expect under a Conservative government.

Profile on Councillor Ertan Hurer

By John Kaponi Editor-in-Chief 

Enfield Conservative politician Ertan Hurer is annoyed at the  way in which small businesses have been treated and wants businesses to be encouraged, as opposed to being punished, which is the case now.

Speaking to the London Daily News Ertan Hurer who is a Chartered accountant with a thriving practice in Palmers Green outlined his vision on how to stimulate growth in these tough recessionary times.  Ertan Hurer said:

"We have, and there is no disrespect to many members of Parliament, too many lawyers in Parliament, and because of that laws that emanate from Parliament, are about punishment; and how to punish people to act in a certain way.  We need to change that attitude to get away from how we "punish people", and transform this into how we can encourage businesses to "comply" with tax and regulation".

Located in the heart of the thriving Cypriot community of Palmers Green, and a local councillor for Winchmore Hill, Ertan Hurer provides both professional and political leverage to his clients and constituents.  In 2005 the Conservative party selected Hurer to stand in Hackney North against Diane Abbot, coming third with 4,218 and gaining 14.4% of the vote; which came as blow, but  provided Hurer his  first experience in the rustle bustle of London  parliamentary politics. 

Now five years on and a general election looming Hurer is gearing up to play a role in the London Assembly or in Europe, with the Conservatives thin on experience, Hurer's chances are enhanced with a strong track record in local government.

Hurer a Cabinet member for Finance & Resources in Enfield Council, has been closely involved in the campaign to reduce weapons related incidents in the borough, particularly Edmonton which has become a "hotspot" of crime, recently labelled the knife crime capital of London.  A co-ordinated campaign with the Met police and council has led to a reduction a 20.9% in the number of knife crimes and a 5.2% drop in gun crimes Ertan Hurer said:

"We were the knife crime murder capital of London in 2008. we put a lot of resources into meetings with local schools, ran poster campaigns, held meetings with local black community groups and established a close working relationship with the police.   All of the things we did do, which was very pro-active, has seen Enfield now become one the safest boroughs in London, with very few knife related murders now."

Hurer, the Chairman of the Edmonton Conservative Association, regards the pending battle to win control over Edmonton, is linked to how the local people of Edmonton to view how fundamentally the Conservative party has changed under David Cameron.

"The Conservative party has fundamentally changed under David Cameron, he is genuinely interested in all parts of the community, and has encouraged having candidates from the local area."  

Edmonton opted to go for Andy Charalambous who has pledged to establish a tube station for Edmonton and is a strong supporter for the preservation of A&E services in Chase Farm and the upgrading of North Middlesex hospital.

The consistent theme from Ertan Hurer, is his concerns that bodies like the GLA and City Hall are not connecting enough with experienced local politicians who can provide the local expertise to closely target resources in projects.  

"What I want to see is more money invested in London; London is the heart of the UK.  We are being let down by central government by not receiving the level of funding London deserves.  By investing in London the whole British economy will benefit."  

Moreover politicians of Ertan Hurer's calibre will be utilised under a Conservative government to fill the vacuum left by many who have taken up posts in Whitehall, Hurer provides the "crossover" that Cameron needs in the guise of a serving politician with real business experience.

Ertan Hurer

Age: 48 years
Married
Profession:  Chartered Accountant
Education:  Queen Marys Westfield University, Woodhouse College
Political achievements:  Cabinet Member Enfield Council Finance and Resources, Chairman Edmonton Conservative Association, was Parliamentary candidate for Hackney North in 2005