LONDON
There has been considerable interest within the Goan community in Swindon-UK to participate in local decision-making processes, as around 14 Goans are contesting elections to Borough Councillor and Parish Councillor seats in the Swindon Council which takes place on Thursday.
Given the sizeable population of Goans in Swindon, two leading parties “ Conservative and Labour “ have fielded a number of Goan candidates for the Borough Councillor seats and Parish Councillor seats in the elections.
For the first time in the UK, every voter will have to carry an ID card to be allowed to vote at the Swindon Council polls, in order to curb electoral malpractices.
Goan candidates in the Conservative Party for the Borough Councillor seats include Raul Fernandes, Brenda Fernandes, Agnelo Estrocio and John Barreto, while the party’s Goan candidates for the Parish Councillor seats include Anabelle Pegado (who is the sitting councillor for the Borough Council), Edwin Rodrigues, Romaldo Fernandes, Vilma Crasto, Norton Fernandes and Agnelo Estrocio.
For the Labour party, sitting councillor Adorabelle Amaral-Shaikh is the Goan candidate for the Borough Councillor seat, while party’s Goan candidates for the Parish Councillor seats include Domingos Dias, Danial Vales and Joseph Pereira.
Mariano Rodrigues is the lone independent Goan candidate contesting for the Borough Councillor seat.
Councils in the UK are generally classified as a Parish, Community and Town Council, County Council or District, Borough and City Councils and they have provisions for elections to Parish and/or Council seats, with each of them assigned different responsibilities.
PRIORITIES
Swindon’s first Goan-origin woman councillor Adorabelle Amaral-Shaikh hopes to get re-elected in Central Ward Swindon.
Adorabelle, a Shadow Cabinet member for Labour Party with her portfolio for Swindon as Communities & Culture, said she is passionately working to better all communities and residents of her ward.
“I often walk with the police and officials in the area showing them first-hand issues that residents face every day. I believe if you walk in the shoes of others, the problem is better understood first hand,” said Adorabelle, who hails from Panaji.
“It has been a privilege to serve my ward which is so diverse and yet different to other parts of Swindon. I have a proven track record of delivering outcomes, am responsive to my case work which has earned me merit among my residents and peers, hoping that residents make Swindon a better place to call home.”
Brenda Fernandes is the first-time Conservative Party candidate for the ward of Gorse Hill & Pinehurst.
“I want the opportunity to ensure that views and issues of locals are represented and fed into the decisions by the council,” said Brenda, who traces her roots to Siridao.
“I also hope to inspire younger Goans to come forward and consider standing for public office. My purpose is to support our local businesses, backing local community groups, charities and sports groups to secure facilities and grants, working with local partners including the police, highways officers and health groups to create a safe environment for families to live in and organising regular community clean-up sessions.”
Agnelo Estrocio, Conservative Party candidate for the Walcot & Park North ward, had lost the last council elections by a small margin but has decided to contest council elections a second time.
“People often ask me why I want to be a councillor. There are many reasons but one of the biggest is that no other role gives you the chance to make such a huge difference to the quality of life for people in your local area,” explained Agnelo, who hails from Caranzalem.
Agnelo said his focus would be to ensure that residents are well represented on both local and national levels.
