From 2006 to 2010, I was a councillor for Lee Green ward in the London Borough of Lewisham. During that time, I blogged regularly and in 2009 I won the Tim Garden Award for the Best Blog by a Liberal Democrat Holding Public Office. My blog posts from my term of office are archived here in case they prove of use to former constituents, or to those who share my annoyance with faulty street furniture
After a few weeks where I’ve been pretty hesitant to mention my involvement in party politics for fear of people asking me about my expenses (I haven’t got a moat, a second home or even a pink laptop, for the record) I’ve had a bit of a spring in my step over the last couple of days.
The first boost was Nick Clegg’s launch of the Take Back Power campaign last week, which pretty much sums up what I think needs to happen to restore faith in British politics. What’s more, Nick’s outlined a 100 day plan to make it happen – and he says MPs shouldn’t get their summer holiday until it happens. So, Dave and Gordon, how about it?
The second boost came from an unlikely source – the Sunday Telegraph. Because as well as the all-too-predictable MPs expenses story, they also had an ICM poll showing the Lib Dems in second place for both European and Westminster voting intention. I’ve seen too many polls to believe just one, but this is the first time this has happened since I was 6 years old, so heartening for a Lib Dem, and cause for me to buy the Telegraph for the first time in a long while.
Thirdly, I was pleased to see The Observer endorse the Lib Dems for Europe in their leader yesterday. They say:
“While MPs from all parties are tainted, the parties themselves are not equally guilty. A credible record of support for transparency and for constitutional reform reflects well on Nick Clegg’s team. This Thursday’s vote is being held in a uniquely febrile climate. It should be about Europe; it will be about the expenses scandal. On both counts, it is a moment to reward the principled consistency of the Liberal Democrats.”
Finally, a quick good luck wish to a few people I know who are standing for election on Thursday. Sarah Ludford has been a hard-working MEP for London, and deserves to be re-elected. Jonathan Fryer is a great friend of our local party here in Lewisham, and would make a fantastic second Lib Dem MEP for London. He missed out by just 0.06% last time. Good luck too to Fiona Hall, defending the Lib Dem seat in my native north east, and to Alan Butt Philip who’s hoping to gain the first Lib Dem seat in Wales, and as well as writing some of my set texts at uni, is also a good mate of mine’s dad.
