Cypriot wins Conservative MEP nomination for London

The Conservative Party announced the names of candidates in the elections for the European Parliament in 2009 that includes a successful Cypriot.

Barnet Councillor Marina Yannakoudakis will be third on the list of the London Conservative candidates on the ballot paper after Charles Tannock MEP and Syed Kamall MEP.

“I am delighted with the results. And I promise Londoners that if elected in 2009 I will be a strong voice for London in the European Parliament,” Marina said.

“I will stand up for Britain and work towards getting a good deal for Londoners. I would like to express my appreciation and say a huge thank you to those fellow Conservatives who put their trust in me and honoured me with their vote. My thanks to my family who stood by me and my friends and colleagues in Barnet and elsewhere for their support.”

During the campaign Marina was supported by senior members of the Conservative Party such as Dr Liam Fox Shadow Defence Secretary and Theresa Villiers Shadow Secretary of State for Transport and MP for Chipping Barnet. She also had the support of the Leader of Barnet Council, Councillor Mike Freer, Councillor Brian Coleman, Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden, and Jonathan Herbst, Chairman of the Finchley and Golders Green Conservative Association.

Ranking of London Region MEP Candidates:

1. Charles Tannock MEP

2. Syed Kamall MEP

3. Marina Yannakoudakis

4. Jean-Paul Floru

5. Warwick Lightfoot

6. Graham Postles

7. Alison Sproule

8. Ian Twinn

Marina’s parents both came to London from Cyprus in the 1950s. Marina was born in Paddington, grew up in Brent, went to school in Beckenham, studied at Brunel University in Uxbridge, ran a business in Camden and now lives in Barnet, where she is a councillor.

She is a councillor for Oakleigh ward on Barnet Council and chairs the council’s Cleaner, Greener, Transport and Development Overview & Scrutiny Committee. Marina is Deputy Chairman of the Chipping Barnet Conservative Association.

Her commercial experience gives her a genuine understanding of the pressures imposed on London‘s small businesses by too many regulations and directives coming from Brussels.

As Financial Director of a company that she runs with her husband Zacharias, Marina has a strong track record of negotiating in Europe on behalf of her UK clients.

Marina is a school governor.

Marina has three children, two of whom are currently at university, and the third graduated last year.