Feryal Clark

Feryal Clark, a refugee of Kurdish Alevi heritage, is the first female MP from Britain’s Turkish-speaking community. Clark is fluent in Turkish, and was critical of Turkey’s actions in Northern Syria in late 2019. Prior to being elected an MP, Clark worked in diagnostic biochemistry and virology at two London hospitals. She was elected to Hackney Council in 2006 and held cabinet level roles there since 2010. As a councillor, Clark promoted cycling. Her maiden speech in the Commons was on health and social care and included a pledge to support “vertically challenged women everywhere” due to her status as the second shortest standing MP. Clark has focused on international affairs in North Africa and the Middle East as well as measures to tackle the climate emergency. Generally considered a Labour moderate, she threw her support behind Yvette Cooper’s 2015 leadership bid and in 2020, backed Lisa Nandy. Since 2020, she has been a member of the Environmental Audit Committee. Clark is on the APPG for Cyprus, clean air, London and innovation corridor aiming to advance local economies.