Councillor Sarbaz Barznji, the former Mayor of Lambeth Council in the UK, was elected on Friday as Chair of Kurds for Labour, which lobbies on the behalf of Kurds in the UK.

“It’s a privilege to be trusted with this role, and I’m excited to serve and support our Kurdish community across the UK,” he posted on X.

“A huge thank you to our members from all over the country and to my colleagues on the Executive Committee for their leadership and hard work. Together, we can achieve so much for the betterment of our community and the country as a whole.

“Kurds for Labour is about giving a strong voice to Kurdish communities within the Labour Party. We’re here to make sure Kurdish perspectives are at the heart of the political conversation and that Kurds are fully involved in shaping the future of this nation.

“Our mission is to strengthen the bond between the Kurdish community and the Labour Party, ensuring that Kurdish voices are heard, political engagement is encouraged, and our Labour candidates and members receive the support they deserve.”

Honoured to share that I’ve been elected as Chair of Kurds for Labour! It’s a privilege to be trusted with this role, and I’m excited to serve and support our Kurdish community across the UK.

A huge thank you to our members from all over the country and to my colleagues on the… pic.twitter.com/rgswpdE6Wk

— Sarbaz Barznji (@SarbazBarznji) November 15, 2024

According to the website of the Lambeth Council, Councillor Barznji came to the UK as a refugee, arriving with nothing but the clothes on his back and without knowing how to speak English. He graduated with a master’s degree in civil engineering from City, University of London in 2014.

“I had a burning desire to build a better life for myself and my family. What I found here was a community that welcomed me with open arms; a community that offered me the support and guidance I needed to get back on my feet,” he said during the annual meeting of the Lambeth Council on April 26.

“With the help of the community and the resources available to me here, I was able to learn the language, attend school and pursue my dreams. And for that, I will be forever grateful.”

When he was elected as Mayor of Lambeth Council in the UK last year, he gave his declaration in Kurdish “to show my solidarity and support for fellow Kurds who are still suffering and punished for speaking their mother tongue.

On Wednesday, May 15, 2024, Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, received Councillor Sarbaz Barznji in Erbil, and thanked him for his service and contributions, praising the role of the diaspora and the contribution they can make as active and good citizens of their new country while remaining committed to their heritage.