Ömer Çavuşoğlu 19
October 2012, Friday
LSE Cities
London School of Economics
and Political Science
Houghton Street
London WC2A 2AE
David Cameron, MP
The Right Honourable Prime
Minister of
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
10 Downing Street
London SW1A 2AA
Dear Prime Minister,
Thank you for your letter of recognition regarding my contribution to the 2012 London Olympic Games as a volunteer cast at the Opening Ceremony. Your letter has arrived at a time when I have been highly anticipating another delivery through the post.
Dear Prime Minister, the
12 weeks spent rehearsing for one of world’s biggest shows was one of the most
exciting periods I had gone through during the 5 years I have been living in
London. The solidarity between us fellow volunteers and the meticulous care
given by the organising committee left deep marks in my apprehension of how
such ambitions can be delivered by highly-motivated and committed individuals.
This country and its culture have it embedded in their genes.
Your Conservative peer Lord Seb Coe mentioned this during your recent Conference in Birmingham. I would put my signature under his remarks, as I was among the few to also see his devotion during his visits to our rehearsals. We also heard from the Mayor of London and Yourself, as well as the Culture Secretary, who remarked on how Britain’s confidence has been restored over the last summer.
Dear Prime Minister, it was an honour to be applauded as a contributor to what was seen as a magnificent piece of collective work. You even joked about how this group displayed the notion of the “Big Society” you have been championing since your election campaign. But, Sir, it is also saddening to be diminished into a subject of the State that you have so often criticised the scale of which, at such a quick turnover; also at the expense of another election pledge you had made.
I am a Turkish national, residing in this country as a “Highly-skilled Migrant”. I came to this country, 5 years ago, to attend a Master’s programme at one of its most appreciated institutions, during which time I was able to secure a part-time job, that evolved into a full-time job at a period when the economy started to go through one of its most devastating phases since the Great Depression. During the past 4 years, I have gained immeasurably valuable experiences through my work, and my new social environment. I did my best to contribute to the economy, culture and the philosophy of this country, and I believe, and have been told, that I have done a decent job.
Your Conservative peer Lord Seb Coe mentioned this during your recent Conference in Birmingham. I would put my signature under his remarks, as I was among the few to also see his devotion during his visits to our rehearsals. We also heard from the Mayor of London and Yourself, as well as the Culture Secretary, who remarked on how Britain’s confidence has been restored over the last summer.
Dear Prime Minister, it was an honour to be applauded as a contributor to what was seen as a magnificent piece of collective work. You even joked about how this group displayed the notion of the “Big Society” you have been championing since your election campaign. But, Sir, it is also saddening to be diminished into a subject of the State that you have so often criticised the scale of which, at such a quick turnover; also at the expense of another election pledge you had made.
I am a Turkish national, residing in this country as a “Highly-skilled Migrant”. I came to this country, 5 years ago, to attend a Master’s programme at one of its most appreciated institutions, during which time I was able to secure a part-time job, that evolved into a full-time job at a period when the economy started to go through one of its most devastating phases since the Great Depression. During the past 4 years, I have gained immeasurably valuable experiences through my work, and my new social environment. I did my best to contribute to the economy, culture and the philosophy of this country, and I believe, and have been told, that I have done a decent job.
Sir, I have unfortunately
missed out on a trip to Istanbul, where I was invited to attend a workshop
involving a group of international young experts. This was because my passport
has been at the UK Border Agency authorities for the past 8 weeks, as I applied
to extend my work permit, the fourth permit in the last five years that will
allow me to continue contributing to this society. As you can imagine, it was a
great disappointment to miss the occasion in Istanbul, one which you might
appreciate as a natural consequence of being a “high-value migrant” in this
country, and, in line with the sorts of professional activities that is
expected to be carried out by such people. I have another trip regarding my
professional engagements in the first week of November, and I am afraid I have
no information as to whether I will be able to make it.
Dear Prime Minister, I
find it difficult as to why someone like me should have no rights to make plans
for at least 6 months into the future, let alone to receive information on
their application process. Of course it would be unwise to ask someone like you
carrying the duties you carry to try and sympathise with this; but how would
such constraints in your freedom feel in your pre- or post-ministerial lives?
There is a large debate
over immigration in this country; one that I have been following very closely
since I moved here to continue my higher education and then start contributing
to its economy through employment, and paying my share of national insurance
contributions and income tax. Whilst the larger argument for cutting the total
immigration numbers may clash with the convenience of groups of individuals,
whether they be prospective students of London Metropolitan University, or
residents who have spent a considerable amount of time being part of this
society, there may be more at stake than representing the United Kingdom as a
less hospitable country towards international students, young experts, and
enthusiastic medium-weight entrepreneurs.
This nation’s identity,
partly built on its openness to people, to diversity and to businesses is
receiving a blow from recent developments. I have my theories on how a more
successful immigration regime could be achieved, and I would be more than
honoured to share them with you, should you wish to receive them. However, for
sake of simplicity and succinctness, I shall refrain from doing that in this
letter.
Dear Prime Minister, this
is a very personal and a very individualistic letter. I know that it is one
that you may appreciate because it is also a sincere and a true one. I felt the
obligation to respond to your letter thanking me “for the part I played in
making the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games such a huge success”. I
would like to continue to play my role towards future successes and I know that
I am not alone in this. It would be a massive benefit to everyone if I and
people who are in my situation could feel that Your Government share the same
view.
Thank you very much for
taking the time to write to me and for considering my letter.
Sincerely Yours,
Ömer.
