Marvin Rees has simply challenged the ‘stereotypical Establishment figure’, which Owen Jones described as a ‘white male who followed an effortless path … into a lucrative an influential job’. But dealing with the processes of the local governance which have created exclusive environment and structures for the stereotypical figure will be more problematic.
Most of the inner-city voters agree that the mayoral election is going to be a two-horse race. They believe if Marvin Rees is to be elected, he must win the first round of the counting; but if it goes to a second ballot George Ferguson will get elected.
Voting has already started across Britain this morning – 5th May. And the Somali voters in Cardiff, the local elections will certainly help them influence change. Equally, it will empower them feel belonging, included mainstream society as one of their beloved sons is standing for a party that they have never been associated with or voted for.
You didn’t help us because our once beating hearts are now dead.
The love and hope deep inside us has now died.
This period of melancholy will always be with us.
For Mahadi Sharif, the upcoming local elections are not only about improving political participation. It is, and more importantly, about embarking on a political career. But for many Somalis in Manchester it is about electing the first Somali councillor, who would in turn enable them gain access to the local decision making platforms.
The time has come the Somali voters make sure that their votes cannot be taken for granted. They must understand who is best to serve their interests before they decide. At the same time, they should challenge the status quo by not being silent about issues that affect their daily lives because, as Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
Maayarkii 2012kii Bristol loo doortay wuxuu hoos u dhigay awoodii xildhibaanada golaha deegaanka. Xildhibaanadu “si taban ayay u arkayeen, halka hoggaamiyeyaasha bulshada, ganacsatada, iyo ururada bulshadu ay isku raaceen in hab-maamuleedka maayarnimadu uu dantii Bristol si fiican uga shaqeeyay.” Si kastaba ha ahaatee, habka maayarnimadu danta bulshooyinka magaalada degan si siman oo isku mid ah ugumuu shaqayn.
The only time I feel included is during the election campaign, when politicians knock my door and convince me they will solve all our problems if we elect them,” … “As a Somali woman, the local elections don’t mean much to me because politicians become invisible after they get elected. And although I don’t believe they will keep their promises, I vote for them – same as many other Somali friends.
Warbixin laga soosaaray hawlgalii Brooke ayaa cadaysay, inkastoo dhamaan inamadii la xidhay ay Soomaali ahaayeen, in “aanay jirin wax cadaynaya in isirkooda iyo dhaqankoodu uu qayb ka ahaa wixii dhacay”. Waxa kale oo ay warbixintu cadaysay in “inamada la xidhay aanay ahayn kuwo isku duubnaa” oo dhacdadan si qorshaysan u fuluiyay. Tani waxay ka soo horjeedaa wararkii sida aadka ah saxaafaddu u baahisay ee ahaa in ay ahaayeen koox abaabulan oo u soo tabaabushaystay in ay si qorsheysan dembiyada u fuliyaan.
The “Somali sex abuse gang” headlines had sent shock waves through the Somali communities in Bristol and in the UK – and elsewhere. Somali speaking media had shown interest … and many others had taken on social media cursing Bristol Somalis and accusing them …
