This series of posts (#Leggatts2018) is based on my reflections after standing for the Liberal Democrats in Leggatts in the May 2018 Watford Borough Council Elections.
TL;DR
I didn’t win (but I did okay)
I learnt a lot, and had fun, standing in a local election
Candidacy:
I was the Liberal Democrats Leggatts Candidate in the May 2018 Watford Borough Council Elections.
I stood primarily because I’m a passionate liberal. I believe that all humans have equal value, that communities are better when they work together, and that individuals should be free. (Liberty, Equality, Community). This was a fantastic opportunity to fight for those values and to give back to the community in which I live.
I didn’t win (but I did okay)
I came in second place, receiving just over 700 liberal democrat votes against labour’s 1000. As a first time candidate I wasn’t standing in a target seat, and this result was higher than we had predicted before the election.
While I obviously wanted to win, this was a good result for the party. In the context of the wider Watford Election the Liberal Democrats won the Mayoralty and gained a seat from Labour, holding all others. The council is led by the Liberal democrats who hold 26 seats out of a total of 36.
I think my campaign went well due to; clear messaging on why I was standing; a robust literature campaign delivering with monthly leaflets (by our outstanding Watford campaigns team); and a robust online campaign which I coordinated with door to door canvassing.
I had 3 basic messages during the campaign:
I lived locally to where I was standing.
My professional experience is relevant and useful.
I wanted to be a councillor for everyone.
Traffic and transportation is a significant issue in North Watford so it was very helpful have significant professional experience in this area.
I learnt a lot, and had fun, standing in a local election
I learnt a lot about myself, politics and my neighbours.
The experience helped me to recognise my own privileges in life: the advantages I’ve had that other people, through no fault of their own, have not.
I am thankful for; my super awesome wife; my supportive family; my education (which my mum paid for), the opportunities I’ve had to work, travel and live abroad.
Talking about thanks – I have to specifically thank Peter Taylor, Ian Stotesbury, Ian Port, Robbie Laird, Amanda Grimestone, Steven Giles Medhurst for their support during the campaign. There are many residents who I can’t thank by name (GDPR) but were unbelievably supportive and encouraging.
Which is one of the other things I learnt: Watford is full of lovely, fair minded people who care about where they live.
Liberals instinctively fear “the tyranny of the majority” and at a national level it seems that popularism is on the rise. From my experience, Watford does not seem to be following this trend, instead continuing to follow sensible, pragmatic, fair minded politics.
Another thing to mention is that I didn’t experience any direct racism. The only time immigration was raised it was about legitimate concerns to do with availability of social housing. The only frustrations about multiculturalism were that people wanted to engage more with their community (not less). I’m sure racism (and unconscious bias) exists – but I didn’t experience it.
Last but, not least, standing was fun! Talking and meeting my neighbours was a positive experience. Lib Dem’s live by the values they believe in – so the local party and volunteers were warm, open, and accepting. The buzz and energy during action days and on election day itself is electric. Tens of volunteers all coming together focused on the same objective. By the end of the election period there was a huge sense of camaraderie. It was a fantastic experience and I am really grateful for having had the opportunity to be a part of it.