The Horsell's Mouth Politics, pedantry and personal interests

Fighting for Horsell West - the Conservative team

It’s been a busy day – I was down at Horsell Village Hall at 9am to clear leaves from around the vicinity. Luckily, the strong winds had taken a few of them away but there were still eight bags that we took to compost. The hall is lucky to have a very good team of volunteers and I am by no means foremost among them – we all take pride in making sure the place is as presentable and pleasant as we can possibly make it. A lot of people probably suppose that the trustees hire in gardeners to tend the grounds and sweep the leaves. Not so, we like to spend what money we have on improvements for users and ensuring the hall remains fit for purpose for many years to come.

Then on to the home of Diane and Gary Shepherd for a very successful and well-attended coffee morning for Horsell and Woodham Conservatives. It was superb to see all the Horsell borough and county members there and once again to be in the company of Jonathan Lord, who far from dashing off was pretty much the last person to leave. He gave another upbeat but pragmatic speech on the times ahead before unexpectedly asking me to say a few words.

I’ve never given a proper speech to activists before and probably fell somewhat short of that but for a piece of rhetoric made up on the hoof I was pleased with what I said. I can’t match Jonathan’s eloquence but got a round of applause anyway, although I suspect that was more sympathy than agreement. Inevitably one ends up thinking of several things one should have said after the event; but that it the beauty of learning and I’ll know for next time.

Into a single coffee morning goes the work of many people – the hosts, the organisers, the bakers of cakes, the collectors of raffle and ticket money, the helpers and those who simply turn up to show their support. Thanks to all of them – they are the people who can win the election for me; I am only able to lose it. Without the support of a great team, a candidate is merely a legal requirement.  

I am very flattered that they have seen fit to advance me as their candidate – I only hope I can  justify the faith placed in me.