Risk Consultant,- Football Ref,
- Fly Fishing Enthusiast,
- Liberal Democrat Councillor in Bury.
I blame Vic D’Albert, local Councillor and parliamentary candidate. He was out leafleting one Sunday morning down my street. We knew each other from years before when I was a “Young Liberal”, and he asked me outright. I’d just been inspired by reading “Stupid White Men” by Michael Moore, so thought “Why not?” Until then all I had done was help with my local Neighbourhood Watch.
I thought it would be a great opportunity to get more involved in local issues. I was concerned about some very poor local decisions and inaction, especially planning matters. Since being elected I feel I have helped reinvigorate a sense of community, especially in the potential redevelopment of my local town centre. I like proving to people that we CAN change the world we live in, by fulfilling the promises I made when elected.
As well as making sure there is better representation for the people of Prestwich, especially those of working age which is a larger in this area than other towns in the Borough, I feel a real involvement in the community that I didn’t have before. It also helps make up for the solitariness of my day job. Getting elected and working as a team allows me to develop my “soft” skills.
I have lots of outside interests, including learning to fly fish. It is a lot to juggle with a home with lots of animals and a job that has an unpredictable workload, but I am proud of being a councilor – it’s a respectable hobby!
