Nesil Caliskan: Rising Labour Politician and MP for Barking

Nesil Caliskan is a British Labour Party politician, born on 27 October 1988, who became the Member of Parliament for Barking after winning in the 2024 UK general election. She is notable for being the first MP of Turkish-Cypriot heritage in the UK and previously served as the Leader of Enfield Council, where she was both the first woman and youngest person to hold the role. Her career reflects a strong focus on community, social justice, and improving public services.

Early Life and Background

Nesil Caliskan was born in Enfield, London, in 1988. Raised in a Turkish-Cypriot family, her upbringing was deeply connected to community values, resilience, and cultural pride. Her heritage played a significant role in shaping her understanding of diversity and representation in British politics. From a young age, Caliskan showed a keen interest in public service and politics, which later guided her academic and professional journey.

She pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Politics and International Relations at the University of Reading, graduating in 2010. She then advanced her studies with a Master of Science in Politics and Communication at the London School of Economics (2012). This educational background gave her a strong foundation in political theory, policy analysis, and effective communication, skills she would later use in both local and national politics.

Nesil Caliskan Age

As of 2025, Nesil Caliskan is 36 years old. Born on 27 October 1988, she represents a younger generation of politicians bringing fresh perspectives into Westminster. Her relatively young age compared to many parliamentarians has allowed her to connect with younger voters and bring forward policies that reflect modern issues such as housing, education, climate change, and family support.

Entry into Politics

Nesil Caliskan joined the Labour Party at just 15 years old, marking the beginning of her political journey. Before entering elected office, she worked in various roles that connected her to governance and public policy. These included serving as a Cabinet Support Officer at Haringey Council and working briefly as a Parliamentary Researcher in the House of Commons.

Her work extended into the health sector as well, where she was employed within the NHS between 2016 and 2018. These early experiences gave her insights into both local government administration and national policymaking.

Local Government Leadership

In May 2015, Caliskan was elected as a councillor in Enfield, representing the Jubilee ward. Just three years later, in May 2018, she achieved a historic milestone by becoming the Leader of Enfield Council.

Her leadership was groundbreaking in several ways:

She was the first female leader of the council.

She was also the first leader of Turkish-Cypriot descent.

At the time, she was among the youngest female council leaders in the UK.

As council leader, she focused on housing, tackling inequality, and strengthening community safety. She also held wider positions such as being an executive member of London Councils, Chair of the Safer and Stronger Communities Board, and a board member of regional organizations like ReLondon and the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority.

Parliamentary Career

In the 2024 UK general election, Nesil Caliskan stood as the Labour candidate for Barking. She secured victory with a majority of 11,054 votes, making her the MP for Barking. Her win was significant not only for Labour but also for representation, as she became the first MP of Turkish-Cypriot heritage in Britain.

Shortly after entering Parliament, she took on important roles, including serving on the Public Accounts Committee, where she scrutinized government spending and financial management. In September 2025, she was appointed Comptroller of HM Household, a position within the government’s Whips’ Office, further solidifying her growing influence within Westminster.

Nesil Caliskan Family

Family has always played an important role in Caliskan’s life. Her mother, Alev Cazimoglu, is also a Labour politician and councillor in Enfield, showing that political engagement runs in the family.

Nesil is married to Emre Caliskan, a Turkish academic and author, and together they welcomed their first child in 2024. Balancing her political career with family life has given her a unique perspective on issues such as childcare, parental support, and housing for young families. Her personal experiences often inform her advocacy for policies that directly affect working parents and children.

Nesil Caliskan Net Worth

While Nesil Caliskan’s exact net worth is not publicly available, as a Member of Parliament she earns the standard MP’s salary, which is £91,346 per year as of 2025, in addition to allowances related to her role. Like many MPs, her financial disclosures show property ownership and modest rental income.

It’s important to note that Caliskan’s career has largely been rooted in public service rather than private wealth. Her focus remains on policy change, social equality, and community development rather than personal financial gain.

Political Positions and Advocacy

Throughout her career, Nesil Caliskan has championed issues that directly affect ordinary families and working people. Some of her core areas of focus include:

Health and Maternity Care

Caliskan has been vocal in defending maternity services in Barking, campaigning to save the birthing centre at Barking Community Hospital. She opposes cuts that would force mothers to travel further for essential care.

Housing and Homelessness

She has celebrated government investments in tackling homelessness and continues to push for affordable housing in her constituency. Her leadership in Enfield gave her first-hand experience with housing crises, and she brings that expertise to Parliament.

Workers’ Rights

Caliskan supports raising the National Living Wage, ensuring that workers in Barking and across the UK can earn a fair income. She has welcomed Labour’s efforts to improve employment conditions and tackle insecure work.

Education and SEND Support

As the mother of a young child and an active campaigner, Caliskan has hosted community events like SEND Coffee Mornings to hear from parents of children with special educational needs. She is committed to improving SEND provision across the UK.

Transport

She has supported the return of the C2C rail service to public ownership and has raised concerns about the condition of Barking station, showing her ongoing commitment to local infrastructure.

Nesil Caliskan Wikipedia Profile

According to her Wikipedia profile, Nesil Caliskan was born in 1988 in Enfield and has Turkish-Cypriot heritage. Her career highlights include:

Serving as Leader of Enfield Council (2018–2024).

Becoming MP for Barking in July 2024.

Appointment as Comptroller of HM Household in 2025.

Her biography emphasizes her groundbreaking role as the first Turkish-Cypriot MP in the UK and her rise from local politics to national leadership.

Challenges and Criticism

Like many politicians, Caliskan has faced challenges. Leadership in local government often brought her into debates on council decisions, funding cuts, and community priorities. However, she has consistently demonstrated resilience and a willingness to engage with criticism constructively.

Her ability to maintain support within her constituency and Labour Party highlights her political skill and adaptability.

Future Prospects

Nesil Caliskan’s career trajectory suggests she is on a path toward greater leadership within the Labour Party. Her early appointment as a Government Whip indicates growing trust from party leadership.

Looking ahead, she could play an important role in shaping Labour’s policies on housing, health, and education — especially given her local government background. With Labour’s renewed focus on representation and diversity, Caliskan’s voice is likely to grow stronger within the party.

Conclusion

Nesil Caliskan’s journey from Enfield to Westminster is a story of resilience, dedication, and community-driven leadership. At just 36 years old, she has already made history as the first Turkish-Cypriot MP in the UK and as a pioneering leader in local government.

Her commitment to families, workers, housing, and public services resonates with many across her constituency and beyond. Whether campaigning for better maternity care, affordable homes, or stronger protections for workers, Nesil Caliskan continues to embody the values of fairness, equality, and service.

As her parliamentary career develops, she is poised to become one of the defining voices of Labour’s new generation of politicians.