Conservative Party candidate Salvador Pereira (second from right) during his campaign in the London Borough of Hounslow.
LONDON
When thousands of Goans began moving to the UK over the past few decades, they began taking active part in social and religious activities amid efforts to preserve and promote their Goan identity and traditions.
With the Goan population now having grown significantly in certain areas, a number of Goans have gone to be social workers to take up issues pertaining to the Goan community, and they eventually became politically active.
Dozens of candidates of Goan origin have now been picked to represent different parties at elections to various councils across the UK on May 7.
Over these past few weeks, these Goan candidates have been busy campaigning and meeting up with voters in their wards to share their plans and promises for the community.
When many of these Goan candidates were contacted, they said their purpose to contest elections had been to represent the community and to be their voice in their respective municipal councils.
Salvador Pereira, Conservative Party candidate from the London Borough of Hounslow, said Hounslow has a very large Goan population, and their issues must be addressed.
“Unless we have a Goan councillor, only then can these issues be addressed. My desire is to help the local community and also raise various issues that Goans face. Unless we have someone in the council, these issues which are ignored will not be addressed,” said Pereira.
Pamila Rodrigues, a Labour Party candidate contesting from Hounslow Central, said she has been an active social worker around Hounslow and beyond.
“I have been helping Goans who face various difficulties, and I feel it is important to be in the Council to assist not only Goans but also others within the Borough,” she said.
Chris Da Cruz, a Conservative Party candidate in the London Borough of Sutton, said he is keen to address and protect the local green area and its local environment.
“I have been in the UK for several years and like to protect the area, keeping it for the future generation,” he said.
Joyce de Souza, a Labour Party candidate in the London Borough of Brent and a social worker in and around Wembley, felt a Goan voice is a must to ensure Goan issues are addressed, which will help change their way of living.
“I want to help the Goan community with their issues and also other local residents within the Brent Council,’ said de Souza.
Sandra Assucao, the Reform Party candidate in the London Borough of Brent, said she is concerned with issues linked with knife crime.
“Students carry knives even in school, which is a concern, and changes are needed urgently. Our diverse community is in need of law and order changes, which need to be addressed,” said Assucao.
HOUNSLOW
From the London Borough of Hounslow Council, the Goan candidates contesting from the Conservative Party are Salvador Pereira (Heston Central), Vivek Ganachari (Hounslow West), Alister da Sa (Hounslow West), Joseph Lobo (Hanworth), Anthony Mascarenhas (Hounslow West) and Vilber De Costa (Cranford), while Pamila Rodrigues is the Labour Party candidate contesting from Hounslow Central.
BRENT
In the London Borough of Brent, Angela Joyce De Souza is the Labour Party candidate contesting Wembley Hill, while the Conservative Party has fielded Floyd De Sa for Wembley Hill and Ryan D’Souza for the Wembley Central ward.
The Reform Party candidates are Jolene Dias (Wembley Hill), Sandra Assucao (Wembley Hill) and Vanita Mendonca (Wembley Hill).
SWINDON
From the Swindon Borough Council, the Labour Party candidates are Imtiyaz Shaikh (Queen’s Park), Adorabelle Amaral Shaikh (Broadgreen), Ana Fernandes (Rodbourne Ferndale & Western Ward), Domingos Dias (Broadgreen), Princia Fernandes (Gorse Hill), Danial Vales (Parish Councillor), Jocelina D’Souza (Parish Councillor), Lourdes De Oliveira (Parish Councillor), Anthony (Tony) Fernandes (Parish Councillor – Rodbourne Ferndale) and Meural Cardozo (Parish Councillor – Broadgreen).
The Conservative Party candidates are Natasha Vas (Rodbourne, Fernandale & Western Ward), Anabelle Pegado (Broadgreen), Savio Teles (Broadgreen), Albano Lourenco (Broadgreen), Inacio Victoria Da Silva (Queen’s Park), Livio Joe Camelo (Queen’s Park) and Rochelle V Cardozo.
OTHERS
The Conservative Party has fielded Chris Da Cruz in Carshalton South and Clockhouse at the London Borough of Sutton and Mark Barreto from Roxbourne Ward at the London Borough of Harrow.
