A Nepali-origin man from United Kingdom's Conservative Party has been elected the Mayor of Swanley Town Council in the United Kingdom.

Shanker Gaire, a taxi entrepreneur, became the first person of Nepali origin to be elected to the post of mayor in the UK.

Gaire, a candidate from the ruling Conservative Party, had been elected the Councillor of Christchurch Ward in the previous year. He was then elected the Deputy Mayor of Swanley Town Council under Councillor John Barnes.

“This is a win for me, my motherland and all the Nepalis,” said newly elected Councillor Gaire talking to the Post, “I, a person from Rupakot village in Gulmi, am extremely delighted to be elected as the mayor of a British town.”

Outgoing Councillor Barnes, the youngest Mayor in Swanley’s history, handed over his duty and office to Gaire who will serve one year term.

Gaire had migrated to the United Kingdom on 1994 and has been residing in Swanley since the past 13 years with his wife, Laxmi Gaire and two sons.