A few weeks ago I was asked if I would be interested in standing as a candidate in the forthcoming County Council elections. After giving the matter due consideration I replied "Yes". So soon I will be starting a new blog, which I'll write under my real name, and which will follow my election campaign from start to finish. It should be interesting; I've never done anything remotely like it before. I'll start posting on that new blog very soon - first I just need to sort out what legal niceties I need to comply with. Then I will put a link to it on this blog.
I've already written my election leaflet, or at least the part about myself and why I'm standing. I sent that to the election agent on Friday, not sure what to expect back. It did however get an enthusiastic reception. "I liked your words (they made me chuckle). They hit just the right note". That response was most encouraging. Now I just need to persuade over 2,000 people to vote for me!
I will have an uphill battle against the present incumbent County Councillor, who I assume will stand for re-election, and who has been the County Councillor for my division for eight years. He got one third more votes than my party last time. Its a nice area and the majority of the people I've met appear to be conservative with a little c. I just need to persuade more of them to be Conservative with a big C.
I hope you'll join me on my new blog as the campaign gets underway and follow my new adventures. Keep an eye on my sidebar for the link to it.
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32 comments:
As you know, I am not the slightest bit interested in politics but I will be following your new blog and cheering for you all the way because I consider you a friend. Good luck!
DJ - I really appreciate that, I couldn't ask for a nicer blogging friend!
Sounds very exciting. I'll definately be following your new blog and would like to wish you the very best of luck.
I wish you well - can't begin to agree with Conservative policies as a rule, but that isn't a reason not to wish a friend well!
Debs - thanks, I wonder what I've let myself in for - will soon find out!
Catharine - I appreciate your well wishes. My key aim will be to demand real value for money and question all subsidies in these difficult times when everyone is having to tighten their belts. That's not too radical I hope! It is already a very well run council with a top 4* star rating giving excellent value for money.
Well I wish the very best of British and will follow your campaign with interest.
Will Mrs Troy be buying a new hat for your inauguration?
Ooh. This is exciting news. The very best of luck... I am one of those irritating people who like a little bit of each party but not the whole one. Just the type of person to get on board... there are a lot like me at the moment... persuaded by good sense and a yearning for better times. I bet you have one and are striving for the other. Best of luck! Will look forward to reading the new blog.
Sarah - thanks, let me know if Labour send you a postal vote.
Helen - if I get in I'll pay for her hat myself.
LWM - I like to think I have common sense. I think the next few years are going to be pretty dire whoever is in power as the everything has been totally screwed up and will take a lot of painful fixing. It has been fascinating to see how the bad news has been leaked out in dribs and drabs over the last twelve months. I think there is a lot more still to come.
Just to clarify that my comment to LWM above was talking about the national (and international) picture. At our County level things are better with the County Council having been in safe Conservative hands since 2005.
Gosh, how exciting for you!
Good for you. I shall be following with interest.
Good luck!
Aha! The first 'clarification' of the campaign. May there be many, many more to keep us entertained. (Personally, I'm a fan of any politician who can be entertaining - Boris is my hero. So, when he moves on the Number 10... will you have a crack at it?)
... I should make it clear that Hansard meant to record the words, 'moves on TO number 10'. The Honourable Gentleman was not referring to an omnibus...
Lane - thanks!
harris (Sarah) - welcome! I'm pleased you are enjoying reading my blog and hope I can keep entertaining you. Thanks for leaving a comment and introducing yourself.
Dotterel - thanks for your clarification. I was just about to hop onto the "omnibus" to meet him so your timing was fortuitous. I'm a great fan of Boris. He will put his foot in his mouth a few times but he is real genuine guy.
Good luck Mr T - I hope you do well, and at the very least enjoy the experience. x
Good luck to you if thats what you want. Mind you, Brian Clough had it right politically!
Is this the first step on the road to No 10? Will be watching with interest.
Kitty - thanks for your support.
Ken - I preferred his football tactics to his politics and diplomacy.
CW - probably the first and last step to coming second in these elections but we'll give it our best shot.
Troy, I could barely say I know you yet when I read what you intend to do I was beaming from ear to ear. From the way you write and what you write of, you seem like a good and highly capable man. I would like to see your new Blog, so yes please do post a link to it.
Dave PnM - Gosh! I'm lost for words (so not a natural politician then!).
Best of luck. Have subscribed to follow your new blog.
It all sounds very exciting. If you were in my constituency I'd certainly be voting for you. Keep 'em what for.
CJ xx
Suzanne - your support is appreciated.
CJ - I know you followed my friend John's campaign in Northumberland last year - now it's my turn, this time hopefully without an Independent splitting the vote.
It says you have posted today... and there aint nothing there... gives new meaning to no post today...
LWM - is that (a) an it project (b) an it girl or (c) just an it?
Good luck with it all! If Obama can have Twitter, I'm sure you'll have no problem having a blog! hehe.
Trixie - thanks! Obama is also spending trillions of dollars which is not a policy I intend to emulate.
I just need to clarify some wording on the foot of my blog if it is to be part of my election campaign. Should have that answer soon and then go live.
I can't quite bring myself to hope you win - my own dyed-in-the-wool allegiances, I'm afraid, prevent it! - but good for you for standing, and I look forward with great interest to hearing the inside story of the campaign.
Rosy - well I feel it a privilege to offer the electorate a democratic choice other than the present incumbent councillor.
I can't help thinking that Mr Brown must be straining even your dyed-in-the-wool allegiance.
Although election expenses are tightly controlled I'm very tempted to buy you some blue dye.
Thanks for leaving a comment!
How exciting. Good for you.
I would have thought that, given the current state of the country, everyone would be voting with a very big C...
Good luck!
Shirley - you and me both, yet the opinion polls still show 28%-30% support for Labour. Thanks for your comment.
You're a brave man! You'll be brilliant. Good luck. TTx
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