Goans in UK congratulate Suella Braverman on her appointment as Home Secretary
PANJIM
The reaction of the Goan community in the United Kingdom to the news of Goan-origin Conservative MP Suella Braverman’s appointment as Home Secretary has been somewhat subdued.
This is the highest position that any MP of Goan origin has risen to in the United Kingdom governments, yet for a community that roundly cheers when one of their own succeeds, Braverman’s appointment has not got those hurrahs from the large Goan community in the United Kingdom. The congratulations were definitely there, but rather lukewarm.
Lui Godinho, a long-time resident of UK, said, “I am very happy for Suella Fernandes Braverman, as a Goan who has achieved one of the highest government positions, despite what her political leaning is.”
Braverman stands on the right wing of the Conservative party.
Relatively a junior in the Conservative party, Braverman played a shrewd political game when, despite being Attorney General, she called on then PM Boris Johnson to the resign and then threw her hat into the leadership ring. When she was eliminated in the second ballot, Braverman endorsed the ultimate winner, gaining favour and also the coveted position of Home Secretary in a Liz Truss cabinet.
Although just seven years as a parliamentarian, she brings much experience to her new role. “Apart from being a politician, a barrister and an MP, she has held various prestigious positions in the UK government, right from being Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, an Attorney General for England and Wales, Advocate General for Northern Ireland and many more. I am sure she will do her best in her new position as the Home Secretary,” Barreto said.
But, whether one of theirs has a cabinet post or not, Goans in Britain persevere in their quest for a better life.
As pointed out by Aldrin Fernandes, a niz Goemkar in London, the support system for Goans are Goans themselves.
“The biggest impact to the Goans are Goans who help each other to start their own businesses and get jobs. Frankly, I was so pleased at the Goa Day this year. All of them doing so well and happy after the initial years of struggle when you move to a new country. The brightest hope is that their kids are going to university and some to Russel group varsities. So satisfying that the gamble their parents took is paying off,” said Fernandes.
Most Goans in the UK were not in favour of Brexit and Braverman being a hard Brexiteer did not help cement a strong relationship. Yet, two years after Brexit, there may be a different take on this.
Fernandes said, “The right wing of the Tory party have an immigration phobia which has resulted in an absolute shortage of workers in all domains.”
“This has helped skilled Goans who are ready to maximise this opportunity. Everyday I see at least seven boards or advertisements outside shops or vans hiring. The only challenge for Goans at the moment is housing which is very expensive but that is impacting the whole country.”
As Braverman gets down to her new job, not an easy one, she will be watched, not just by Goans but due to the nature of her post, the international community. The spotlight is definitely now on this lady of Goan origin who holds a top post in the UK government.
