Why a Conservative?
It is a question that a lot of people have asked me over the last fortnight. “You seem too young to be a Tory” and “you don’t talk or sound like a Tory” are two of the comments I am getting used to hearing as I go from door to door.
I would describe myself as a zealous supporter of public services, fanatical about the environment and sustainability, and passionate about helping society’s most vulnerable people.
Yes, I was fortunate enough to go to one of the best universities. But contrary to the suspicions of a resident on Sherbourne Drive, I had to work very hard to get there! I went to the Astor of Hever School, and stayed there even after I had the option of going to a Grammar school for sixth form.
In my time at Cambridge, I spent a considerable amount of time working with campaigns and schemes to help people from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds put together Oxbridge applications. I was fascinated by the subjects of building successful communities and tacking social exclusion, two issues I continue to hold very close to my heart.
Over the last three years, I have become a keen advocate of Rural Revival – including managing a research project to look at how young people can play more of a role in this goal – although I am not keen on hunting with hounds.
I support the reform of prisons to tackle the criminogenic needs of offenders, and favour treatment and prevention measures over punishment “for the sake of punishment”. Very “unconservative” views, you may say.
In actual fact, people are surprised to hear that I am not a lone voice in the Conservative Party. More and more people with similar views to my own have seen the opportunity, brought by David Cameron, to shape the party into something that reflects the desires of modern society.
With regards to young people, I genuinely now believe the Conservatives are now the only party taking young people as seriously as they (we!) should be. I was very excited to hear that our local leader, Cllr Eric Hotson, has appointed Cllr Ben Sherreard, 23, to be a dedicated spokesperson for Youth Affairs, and look forward to working with him over the next few months. It’s about time young people in Maidstone got the voice they deserve, and I wish Ben well with his new duty.
The Conservative group are a friendly, diverse bunch of people who I am delighted to now be a part of and contribute to.
I would describe myself as a zealous supporter of public services, fanatical about the environment and sustainability, and passionate about helping society’s most vulnerable people.
Yes, I was fortunate enough to go to one of the best universities. But contrary to the suspicions of a resident on Sherbourne Drive, I had to work very hard to get there! I went to the Astor of Hever School, and stayed there even after I had the option of going to a Grammar school for sixth form.
In my time at Cambridge, I spent a considerable amount of time working with campaigns and schemes to help people from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds put together Oxbridge applications. I was fascinated by the subjects of building successful communities and tacking social exclusion, two issues I continue to hold very close to my heart.
Over the last three years, I have become a keen advocate of Rural Revival – including managing a research project to look at how young people can play more of a role in this goal – although I am not keen on hunting with hounds.
I support the reform of prisons to tackle the criminogenic needs of offenders, and favour treatment and prevention measures over punishment “for the sake of punishment”. Very “unconservative” views, you may say.
In actual fact, people are surprised to hear that I am not a lone voice in the Conservative Party. More and more people with similar views to my own have seen the opportunity, brought by David Cameron, to shape the party into something that reflects the desires of modern society.
With regards to young people, I genuinely now believe the Conservatives are now the only party taking young people as seriously as they (we!) should be. I was very excited to hear that our local leader, Cllr Eric Hotson, has appointed Cllr Ben Sherreard, 23, to be a dedicated spokesperson for Youth Affairs, and look forward to working with him over the next few months. It’s about time young people in Maidstone got the voice they deserve, and I wish Ben well with his new duty.
The Conservative group are a friendly, diverse bunch of people who I am delighted to now be a part of and contribute to.
Labels: Values, Why Conservative
posted by Stephen Paine at
20:53
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