Grassroots should be allowed to take a knee

those targeted in recent weeks.

It is not just a Premier League problem - Swansea’s Yan Dhanda and Bristol Rovers’ Mark Little have both been targeted by online trolls.

Bains said ‘in the chase towards equality’ it is crucial all abuse continues to receive a high profile.

‘I want these things to be talked about, but naturally with more exposure you’re going to get the bad side of things coming out,’ he explained.

‘The clubs seem to be coming down on it harder, the police are taking it very seriously.

‘Just by talking about things like this as a topic is a good sign in the chase towards equality.’

Regarding his own role as Mayor of Havant, Bains said: ‘It’s really positive that people are being represented by people from diverse backgrounds.

‘But there’s still a long way to go. ‘The only thing that should matter is someone’s ability to do a job.

‘Positions should be given on merit - age shouldn’t matter, the colour of your skin shouldn’t matter.

‘Things like whether you went to Eton or not, shouldn’t matter.

‘All these things need to be looked at if we are ever going to achieve equality.’

The previous youngest Havant mayor was ‘in their late 40s or early 50s, I had just turned 23 when I became Deputy Mayor and just turned 24 when I became Mayor.

‘I’ve broken the stereotypical mould of what a Mayor should be.

It’s great that I’m a younger Mayor, hopefully I will inspire others.

‘The council is trying to resonate with young people, so who better to represent them than someone who is young and who has that level of empathy?

‘That’s why I put my name forward. Hopefully it’s paid off - it’s been beneficial (during the pandemic) that I’m tech savvy.’

Bains, a councillor for the Hart Plain ward, continued: ‘Some people do expect the Mayor to be someone more older, it can surprise some but that’s not a bad thing.

‘It shouldn’t be all about the chains and the titles.

‘It should be about me taking the time to talk to people and hearing what they have to say, and I think people have appreciated that.

‘Instead of always wearing a suit and tie, if it’s suitable to do so I’ll turn up at an event in jeans and a T-shirt.

‘At times it’s far better to dress more casually - I think children can feel a person is easier to talk to if they’re in jeans and a T-shirt rather than a ‘power’ suit.

‘Visiting charities to help them wrap Christmas presents, our helping out at Food Banks ... you don’t need to be wearing chains to do that.

‘There is a sense of tradition, though, and I respect the tradition of the role.

‘But there are times I don’t need to wear the chains.

‘I’ll turn up and listen to people and what they have to say, that’s really important to me.

‘It’s about engaging with a different dynamic, helping with the relate-ability.’