Bilbrook: Labour Party Q&A
Where I live now is on the edge of nice. I can see it from my bedroom window, the fields all around us are in walking distance, local amenities where everyone knows your name and pleasant greetings to all who pass. The business owners who's services you use because they're your mates, the farm shop near that scenic spot by the canal and the conservative political banners peeping from the hedges. Yet still only a mile from where I grew up, because why leave?
Tomorrow is polling day and what that means for me and my son is no Playgroup. So we'll spend time, in the morning before I'm fully awake, playing a game of Transformers; in which the autobots battle to destroy the evil forces of the decepticons - a new obsession; *good vs evil, where good always wins, but the baddies are far more intriguing. They have more gadgets and a thirst for seeking the power of ‘the crystal’ but can never quite get the better Optimus Prime, even though he dies, he comes back.
But at some point I will vote, and I will vote for Labour!
I've been a member of the Labour Party for over a year. I'd always voted Labour in general elections in the past but I really wanted to support Jeremy Corbyn, who’s words spoke to me on a level other politicians hadn't...
I asked our local Labour candidate, Adam Freeman, a few questions. There hasn't been a hustings nearby (which he explains). I did receive a leaflet, in which he states his five key points but I wanted to ask a few questions of my own, to see what he’s about.
Me: You're pretty young, by the usual candidate standard, but how long have you been involved in the Labour Party? What's your history with the party?
AF: My political life started when I joined the party when I entered Sixth Form during the first year of Ed Milliband’s time as leader. Once I went to University in Hampshire I got involved in Student politics, campaigning for NUS against the University Tuition Fees and twice standing for Council on a Student ticket, one of the youngest people ever to stand in the local Council. I finished University in 2014 and returned home, I returned to the local party and was selected as a candidate for the following year’s District Council elections. I quickly joined Kevin McElduff’s Parliamentary campaign in the same year enabling Labour to hold onto second in the South Staffordshire set. Once the General Election was over I was selected as CLP Secretary at 22 as part of a push for the younger generation – whilst only two years in the job I have led the local campaign in the EU Referendum, being the Agent for Stronger IN for Europe for South Staffordshire, and this year was the Agent/coordinator for all 9 candidates for the Staffordshire County elections the Penkridge West By-Election, in these elections we got our best results since 2011. Whilst young, my experience standing in now five council elections, attending and running a number of local counts.
Me: What kind of things have you been involved in for the betterment of our local area?
AF: I have been involved in campaigns to stop local schools being forced to become Academies, along with our Councillors I have pushed for greater funding and allocation for schools and nurseries. Promoted and signed a number of petitions in terms of local development opportunities, protection of green belt and wildlife landscapes. I was involved in the standing of a Labour candidate in Codsall, who promoted Labours polices in the Staffordshire County Council – extra funding for pot holes, cut energy bills, increase community allotments and an increase in house building.
Me: I was disappointed that there weren't any hustings taking place in Bilbrook/Codsall, could you explain why?
AF: I was contacted by the Churches Together group that tried to set up a Hustings in Brewood, sadly the organisers needed more than two candidates to attend and only I and another candidate were able to attend, this meant that the hustings was cancelled and the possibility of replicating in other villages was also missed. It must be said there were no hustings in 2010 or 2015 either locally due to not enough candidates being willing to attend the hustings.
Me: You must be disappointed to not campaign in the area you were brought up and live in?
AF: I was born in Perton and have lived there my whole life, I am honoured to have stood for Council in my home village twice now, the most recent in May this year saw me get the best result for a Labour representative in Perton for twelve years. Since becoming CLP Secretary in May 2015 I have pushed for as much campaigning in Perton as I can, with a notable appearance by Sion Simon MEP during the European Union Referendum. My dissertation for my Masters Degree in Cultural Heritage saw me analyse the relationship between heritage and development especially in line with the proposed building of new homes in my village, I was part of the recent consultation period that finished last year on this proposal.
Me: I've seen your five points, what would you personally like to see changed?
AF: Of the five points I have presented to South Staffordshire, three have now become part of the Labour Party’s 2017 Manifesto – No to Fracking, No to Grammar Schools and Triple lock for Pensions, so if Labour win these will become law, that leaves Brexit and the Youth Parliament. The greater involvement in politics locally by Youth and workers is something I am passionate about and this is one I would like to see happen, and would be happy to work with all parties to get this off the ground, I am also a support of voters for 16 year olds.
*Actually the Transformers universe is far more compelling and complex than winners and losers, goodies and baddies, the colour coded badges they wear displaying their alliance. But at least you know the side you are meant to be on. The one in which your children would get a decent and free education, without prejudice and backdropped by a series of wars. Without the killing of animals being a sport that they have to get used to and maybe just maybe they could own a house of their own, in the future. For me that means voting for Labour.
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