Ergin Erbil has stepped in as interim leader until 18th September, when a long-term successor will be formally appointed

Nesil Caliskan has officially resigned from her post as leader of Enfield Council today (Friday 9th).

Cllr Caliskan had previously announced she would be standing down following her election to the House of Commons as Barking MP on 4th July, but had been expected to continue until a new leader was appointed to replace her.

The resignation today means that deputy leader Ergin Erbil will step up to become interim leader in the meantime, with the new permanent leader not expected to be confirmed until 18th September at a meeting of the full council.

Cllr Erbil is one of the rumoured names in the running for the top job, in addition to cabinet member Susan Erbil, Labour group whip Sabri Ozaydin and finance chief Tim Leaver.

Cllr Caliskan was the first female leader at Enfield Civic Centre, first of Turkish-Cypriot origin, and was also the youngest female council leader in the country at the time she was appointed at the age of 29.

She was first elected as a councillor in 2015 and became leader of the council three years later when she defeated her predecessor Doug Taylor in an unexpected and controversial leadership poll among Labour councillors, held two weeks after the 2018 local election.

Several councillors quit the group in the years which followed amid ongoing acrimony and splits within Enfield Labour over Cllr Caliskan’s leadership.

Following her resignation today, Cllr Caliskan said in a statement: “It has been an honour to serve as the first female Leader of Enfield Council since 2018. I thank the residents of Enfield for giving me the opportunity.

“Local authorities have faced profound challenges in recent years, but despite this, Enfield Council has led the way on multiple fronts. From ambitious housebuilding and regeneration programmes, to protecting and driving innovation in frontline services such as adult social care and children’s services.

“I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved in Enfield over the past six years. Across the country councils have demonstrated that they are well-placed to best understand and deliver for communities.

“In moments of crisis, like we saw with Covid, councils step up and do an outstanding job. Not only do councils provide crucial help for residents in need, but they also create better places for people to live and work. I will continue to champion the valuable role councils play in our communities.

“I want to say thank you to all the cabinet members and Labour councillors I have worked with to deliver the agenda of our administration. I would also like to thank the thousands of council officers across the organisation.

“All politicians rely on officials who understand them and their ambitions for the areas we represent. A particular thank you therefore to chief executive Ian Davis, senior officers, past and present, and the team of officers in the Labour group office – all of whom have been brilliant public servants to the people of Enfield.

“I leave behind a Labour group of councillors who represent Enfield’s fantastic diverse community. The London borough of Enfield will always hold a special place in my heart, and I look forward to following future achievements.”

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