May 6th council candidate aims for a Wirral first, but has a tough fight on his hands

Shabil Syed hopes to break the mould in Wirral Council on May 6.

It is believed that Mr Syed, 40, from Prenton, will be the first ever BAME (black, asian and minority ethnic) councillor elected to the local authority if he wins his contest in this year's local elections.

The school teacher is standing as a Labour candidate in Eastham.

He spoke to the Local Democracy Reporting Service about why it has taken so long for ethnic minority candidates to put themselves before the electorate in Wirral.

Mr Syed said: "With the generation before me there was the language barrier and a confidence issue.

"The older generation primarily wanted to work and look out for their families, they didn't have the confidence to go for things like this.

"But we [our generation] are raised and brought up in Wirral, we were schooled here and we work here, we feel that natural progression."

But Mr Syed did not feel that racism among voters or political parties was to blame.

He added: "I wouldn't say racism is a part of this. It is more of a cultural gap, the older generation identifies much more with South Asia and that culture.

"My heritage is there as well, but I identify with the culture here, that's where I grew up. There was a cultural gap before, but now there isn't."

Mr Syed faces a very tough battle to win in Eastham.

He is up against Liberal Democrat Cllr Phil Gilchrist, who Mr Syed said had been a councillor for the area for longer than he has been alive.

Despite this, Mr Syed thought his candidacy could achieve a great deal.

He added: "I would like to be a catalyst for change, for people getting a voice and coming through.

"I want to pave the way for others to do great things. People [from BAME communities] are growing up here now and they are an integral part of Wirral and the whole of the UK.

"Politics at home does not really affect us, but the politics of the towns and cities here most definitely does. We want to be a part of this society and a good part of this society."

Mr Syed thought there was the potential to change politics in Wirral and said that Wirral Labour has set up a BAME group.

One drawback in this election is that Mr Syed is less able to get out and meet up with voters due to the pandemic.

But he has seen it as an opportunity to pioneer a new form of campaigning. Mr Syed said: "I've done leaflets, online social media videos and set up surveys for people to fill in.

"There are different ways to campaign, we need a brand new digital approach and that is what we are doing."

On policy, Mr Syed said that as a teacher he is passionate about children and younger people.

He continued: "I want to see places like The Hive [youth centre], Europa Pools and leisure services and clubs thrive.

"These things can help children thrive, they are our future and if they have a good upbringing that gives them a real spark.

"You begin to see things such as reduced anti-social behaviour, you get a sense for this as a teacher. It is great to see."

Mr Syed also wanted to support the regeneration projects gathering pace across the borough and support shops and businesses to recover as pandemic restrictions ease.