IF elected, says Labour’s Eastcott candidate, I would be proud to be the first member of Swindon’s Goan community to serve on the council.

Imtiyaz Shaikh is a South Swindon parish councillor and is this May hoping to take up a seat in Euclid Street beneath the Labour banner.

He is frank and sincere when laying out his pitch.

First and foremost, he says, “I want to work together in cooperation with Eastcott residents to improve our community. Parking and the growing number of HMOs in the ward is a particular issue specific to Eastcott. With parking I want to find a consensus on how we can address this issue, as currently there are too many permits being issued by the council.”

He speaks about his desire to see a licensing scheme similar to Labour-led Oxford City Council for all HMOs to ensure particular communities are not overly effected by the increasing number of HMOs.

Imtiyaz knows that the things which affect most people’s lives are small, local matters that can be dealt with at the borough level. It can perhaps be summed up in the phrase ‘Bins over Brexit’.

Poor air quality, prevalent fly-tipping and general cleanliness are all important issues on which a newly-elected Coun Shaikh would focus his attention, as well as tackling problems with neighbourhood security.

Speaking about Swindon in more general terms, he says: “The council faces financial challenges under the current government and I support Labour’s plans to find new income opportunities to address these financial challenges.

“Particularly, Labour’s pledge to build new private rented homes which will offer quality accommodation to tenants and a new income source to the council.”

He adds: “An insufficient number of affordable homes is another important challenge the council faces. We are not building enough homes to meet local demand.”

He places great stress on honesty and openness and the ability of individuals acting in concert to bring about change.

“I’m keen to help in any way I can and, most importantly, I’m eager to bring about much needed change. Change can only take place with team work and by treating each other equally, both of which I want to champion in this election.”

The Goan spoke of giving the town “a renewed sense of pride” through restoration of key heritage assets, trumpeting the benefits it will bring to Swindonians.

“Restoring our other heritage buildings will substantially benefit the Eastcott ward.”

We end by touching on the national picture and I ask where he fits into Labour’s broad milieu. He fully backs Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, adding: “I am united with all sections of the party.”