Headlines
The Review Online
Former Student Hits the Election Trail
8th June 2007
Daisy Blench was a student at College in 2004–06, during which time she studied for A levels in Modern History, Local Government & Politics, English Literature, and Drama & Theatre Studies, as well as General Studies. After her gap year she stood as a candidate for the Green Party in the recent local Council elections, and tells us of the experience here. She also happily encourages other young candidates to offer themselves for election.
To stand as a candidate for the Green Party in the local election was a really valuable experience.
I was given this chance in Upton, a rural ward near Leominster - my home area. I have always been interested in politics; my Mum has stood for election in European, General and Local elections and was elected to the District Council twice, and my Dad was a Green Party town councillor, so it kind of runs in the family!
Energetic debates with friends and family about a whole range of issues is something I greatly enjoy too. Studying politics at Hereford Sixth Form College just increased my interest in the subject. I thoroughly enjoyed the course: British politics in the first-year gave me some factual basis for my opinions and better understanding of how the government operates. American politics in my second year was a total contrast but just as fascinating, and gave me a better idea of the political system there, which was useful when I visited America for the first time earlier this year.
I had put my name forward as a possible candidate before going abroad for part of my gap year, which resulted in my needing to sign the consent papers and airmail them back from New Zealand which was pretty hectic! When I got back I was thrust straight into the election campaign.
Anyone who has stood for election, or has had a relative standing in an election for any office, will agree that it makes for an extremely manic household. With my Mum standing for election, as well as me, it was even more crazy!
As a first-time candidate I tried to be realistic about my prospects, particularly as I was standing
against a very well-regarded and long-term councillor. However, there were no other candidates and if I had not offered myself as a candidate there would have been no election. As it was my first opportunity to vote as well I was glad that I was able to cast my vote for a party that I believed in and give other people a choice of candidate as well.
Although candidates in target wards were able to put in more time and resources to their campaigns, I did distribute leaflets in the main villages in my ward to give voters some idea of my policies and the issues I would tackle if elected. As a Green Party candidate, naturally issues connected with climate change were top of my agenda, including working for an integrated public transport system, more local food production and better waste reduction and recycling, all issues which local government has real influence over.
Local housing and speeding traffic on the A49 in Ashton were very much among the local issues of real concern to those living in the ward, along with worries about lack of democracy and openness within the Council.
I was extremely pleased, and pleasantly surprised , at the response that I received. Many people were really glad that a younger person was standing and were very encouraging. I ended up getting just over 20% of the vote (225 votes).