B
y the time this is published it will be local election time – posters, leaflets, door
knocking, voting on May 3. Elections demand candidates. Why does
anyone volunteer to be a candidate ? Mostly they don‘t. No one chooses it as a career. Many of us who have stood as candidates in elections were assured we wouldn‘t be elected. But we felt strongly enough about the local
situation and local democracy that we allowed our names to go forward on that basis – you won‘t be elected. Often there is a particular issue. My issue was
the proposal by Hertfordshire County Council, many years ago, to turn the A412 into a dual carriageway from Watford to Denham through Croxley, Rickmansworth, Mill End and Maple Cross. It would have involved demolition of hundreds
of local homes. I felt outraged and, in spite of having three very young children, agreed that my name could go forward on the firm understanding that I wouldn‘t be elected. My ever supportive husband said ―it would
good to put your shoe leather where your mouth is‖. It all went wrong. I was elected, just. I was
summoned to the Chief Executive who told me that the council didn‘t want/need women councillors especially those with small children. He made them sound like a fatal disease. That
was a challenge I couldn‘t ignore. He had no business saying that but I was determined to prove him wrong. We campaigned together, residents and
councillors and the road widening plan was abandoned. That taught me an important lesson
– it is worth fighting hard for what you believe is right for your own community. I have known many councillors. In my
experience it is not the richest, the cleverest, the most highly educated, most successful business people who make good councillors. All that is useless unless they have a real
interest in people and in their community. Being a councillor can be frustrating,
harassing and disappointing but also interesting, exciting and challenging. You can achieve things for your community and assist people and their families in ways, sometimes quite small, that make a big difference. Have you ever thought of standing as a
candidate? All communities need democratic representation right across the whole range of interests and needs. Many are nervous because they don‘t know what is involved. Are you interested in your community? Do you
discuss local matters with people you meet? Do you attend community meetings, ring, write letters, send emails to your councillors ? If the answer is ―Yes‖ why not meet with some
of us, without commitment, and find out what being a councillor involves?
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