Some Candid(ate) Thoughts
April 11th, 2005The worst thing about the pre-election campaign for a candidate is
the sheer uncertainty of the election date itself. Holidays, work,
family - everything has to await the great announcement. It is as if
your life is on hold. My job as a criminal barrister is demanding and
unpredictable, but there is nothing quite like an election campaign.
For the candidate, the campaign is a white knuckle ride of highs and
lows, of boosts and knocks. Over the next few weeks, I hope to share
with you the campaign experience. Although serious issues are up for
debate, there should always be an element of fun.
Am I doing this as an amusing alternative to real life? Not a bit
of it. I am genuinely interested in trying to improve the way we
govern ourselves, and believe strongly in a vibrant House of Commons.
I am a Conservative because I think that government does not always
know best, and in fact almost always does NOT know best - an inelegant
phrase, you may think, but one that sums up the core of my beliefs. At
the same time, I continue to admire the great traditions of British
life and believe that it is the duty of Conservatives to uphold and
preserve those traditions. Our society, which is subject to so much
breathtaking change, needs elements of stability and continuity in
order to survive.
We are suffering under the yoke of an arrogant and over-mighty Labour
government that thinks that it always knows best. 1997 was for them
"year zero", which meant that everything which occurred before that
golden moment was old and bad, and that suddenly New Labour had the
monopoly of wisdom. No part of our system of governance has been
spared. This Government’s ability to unravel years of good sense has
been remarkable. They are happy to erode our civil liberties, yet fail
to make a clear and compelling case as to why this has become
necessary. Their reliance upon spin has made them, quite literally,
incredible. It is time for a change. On my website
southswindonintouch.com, you will see an outline of proposed
Conservative Action in key areas. This blog is the story of one
candidate who is determined to see these proposals put into practice.
As the campaign develops, I shall try to take you down the highways
and byways of South Swindon, into its meeting halls and over its front
doors (if allowed!). We will do our best with photographs, but I am no
David Bailey, I can assure you!
