Sorry again!

Sorry again for the delay in updating the blog!

I've been extremely busy with multiple projects. Training at work has been quite intensive, but I've enjoyed writing essays again (I know, sad!) and the course is very relevant to my work with disaffected young men (one of whom was from Fant. Safe to say - I decided not to introduce myself as his local Tory candidate!).

My research project for the Farming and Rural Issues Group and SEEDA (more details can be found here) has been turning up some really promising findings, and I've now begun the arduous process of inputting and analysing some of the 2000-odd surveys sent out over the last couple of months.

Campaigning in Fant is going extremely well. The Liberals put round another one of their misleading leaflets, this time suggesting that they had played some part in any of the recent improvements to Gatland Park! That said, I was grateful to see they have pledged money to support our team's bid to get hold of picnic tables. We've already got two free of charge from the council, but the more the merrier - it would certainly be an improvement to the status quo.

The Greens are now on the Fant bandwagon, and it's welcome to see Stuart Jefferies standing as their candidate. Whilst he and my party leader have had a few public debates (over KIG), I have always found him to be a very pleasant man who comes up with some very thoughful proposals. I'm particularly pleased with the work he has carried out to bring a farmers' market to Maidstone, and agree with his members' desire for a concert venue in Maidstone (perhaps in the Millenium park guys?)

Whilst I haven't had very much spare time with all the goings on, I have tried to give some support to my colleague and friend John Wilson, who is working very hard in Coxheath and Hunton at the moment. I've spent a couple of days helping him deliver leaflets along with Helen Grant, our PPC.

Helen, incidently, joined me one evening (a fortnight ago) to introduce herself to Fant residents. She's a marvelous candidate and was extremely well received by those who met her. I look forward to her coming again, and will get some photos of our day on the website soon!

Anyhow, I think this will do for now. Back to work!

Labour party asked Helen Grant to be councillor...

Apparently the Croydon Labour Party branch offered Helen a seat in their local elections.. pfft! If they appreciated talent when they saw it, they would have made her their PPC!

Pragmatic politics is all about throwing away the outdated idea of 'morality by patronage' (i.e. I'm doing this because my party does this, and my party does this because that's what we've always done) and voting on principle. At uni, I voted alongside Labour, Lib Dem and Green party members throughout my 3 years in the student union, despite fraternising with the Conservative student body.

My reason for settling with the Conservatives was because it was the only Maidstone party open to fresh ideas, the only party willing to nurture my candidacy in Fant, and the only party really able to make a difference to the problems we face on a daily basis.

I hope the press don't go crazy over Labour's admiration (and attempt to seduce) Helen. Politics is a funny game, and it seems harsh to condemn anyone for doing a bit of "window shopping" before finding a comfort zone - haven't we all?

Helen Grant wows Maidstone and the Weald

It's been a tough few weeks for 9 candidates contesting to become PPC for Maidstone and the Weald, but finally their wait has come to an end. Today, MWCA voted for Helen Grant to succeed Ann Widdecombe as the parliamentary candidate.

All the contestants went through an intensive programme of interviews with exec members, QA sessions with members of the local community and businesses, and assessed canvassing. They also had to deliver at hustings held at Oakwood House, and answer questions put to them by Ian Hisplop from BBC's 'Have I Got News for You'.

Helen Grant is a great candidate, a wonderful person, and a safe pair of hands for Ann's legacy. She is bright, personable, and friendly. Throughout the selection process, she was the one candidate who took a particular interest in me, my background, and the job I was doing in Fant. Her knowledge of Maidstone & the Weald was impressive, and I couldn't but admire her life story. Growing up as a single mum in a tough estate, Helen surmounted the challenges thrust on her by studying law and later establishing her own successful firm. She is now happily married to Simon, who has supported her throughout the contest.

I look forward to introducing Helen to the residents of Fant over the next two years!

Evening Standard - 20th June 2006