Goan sworn in as Swindon Mayor

Newly-elected Mayor of the Swindon Borough Council Imtiyaz Shaikh along with his wife, Councillor Adorabelle-Amaral Shaikh and their two children.

LONDON
In a major boost to the huge Goan community in Swindon-UK, Councillor Imtiyaz Shaikh (48) on Friday became the first Indian and Goan Mayor of the Swindon Borough Council.

Mayor Shaikh had previously served as Deputy Mayor and takes on the chains from outgoing Mayor of Swindon, Councillor Barbara Parry. Incidentally, his wife Adorabelle-Amaral Shaikh is also councillor at the Swindon Council.

Shaikh moved to Swindon from Vasco in 2005 and will serve in this role for 12 months.

In a statement on social media, the Swindon Borough Council stated that Swindon is incredibly proud of its strong Goan community.

“Today, Councillor Imtiyaz Shaikh became Swindon’s first Indian and Goan Mayor of Swindon at a special ceremony. The Mayor carries out a range of civic duties on behalf of the Council and acts as an ambassador for the area, to represent the local community and local democracy.”

The Swindon Borough Council added that “this year, the Mayor is supporting two local charities. The ‘BEST - Be a Better You’ is a small registered charity who supports at-risk children aged 11 to 25 through sports mentoring and fun sessions.”

“The ‘Changing Suits’ is a non-profit organisation committed to bringing to light the stories of South Asian and ethnic minority groups.”

According to a report in the Swindon Advertiser, Imtiyaz Shaikh, the Labour member for Eastcott who was first elected in 2018, took up the chains of office at Swindon Borough Council’s formal annual meeting.

“The Goan councillor did so front of a chamber packed not only with councillors and local and county dignitaries, but members of his family, friends and community leaders,” stated the report.

Cabinet member councillor Kevin Small who nominated Shaikh was quoted in the report as saying: “Swindon has a good record of electing mayors from its differing communities, and Shaikh will be the first Indian and Goan mayor.”

“He shares my love of cricket, which is good enough reason to nominate him, but also he will very much suit the robes.”

Speaking to the Swindon Advertiser, the new mayor Imtiyaz Shaikh thanked Councillor Parry, his friends and family for the constant love and support during his time as a councillor and along his political journey and as a social activist.

“I’ve always been a believer in shattering your own glass ceiling and offering to others what might not have been offered to me. It is the privilege of my life to be Swindon’s first Indian and Goan mayor. But I will be a Mayor for all here. I will represent all those who call Swindon home.”

“There are many challenges in the year ahead, and the council will work hard to transform Swindon. But over the last year, serving as deputy Mayor, has been incredibly eye-opening and rewarding. Swindon has never just been a location on a map for me, it has always been my home and I want to help raise the expectations of our children to build a great future,” Shaikh was quoted in the Swindon Advertiser report.