Epsom & Ewell CF hosts ‘How to get the Young into Councils’

By Alex Clarke (Chairman EECF)

This month was a special month, as many of Epsom and Ewell’s Conservative Future’s Committee members had been recently told they had been successful in being selected to run for borough council. With that in mind we had organised for some young councillors to come along and tell us about how they were elected, about how they cope with the pressures of work and being a councillors, and mostly to provide us with their ideas on how to be a good a councillor for the residents whom you represent.

The list of those who made it to the panel is pretty impressive; Rowan Cole is the Councillor for Walton Central (Elmbridge Council) as well as the recently appointed CF Area Chairman for Surrey, Michael MacDonald who is the first conservative councillor for Trench (Tonbridge Council) in many years, and of course chairing the panel our very own Leader of Group and defender of Epsom and Ewell’s residents Cllr Sean Sullivan of Woodcote.

Each Speaker was invited to give us a quick 10 minute rundown on themselves and their own view before opening up the floor for questions. It was very interest to hear the different stories, and how they differed even where the conservatives are in the majority of the councils. However it was during the discussion, the questions and the eloquent but not verbose answers which really showed both the level of interest in the room as well as how the position of these councillors

This discussion/debate brought about a brilliant interplay of the differing views as held by the various members, with none, young or old not feeling perfectly at ease and able to offer a full opinion. This was brilliant as it allowed those whom attended, ranging from activists, to would be activists, and people who just were interested so came along; all voters and non-voters, it allowed everyone to express themselves and for the intricacies of local elections, local politics and most importantly perhaps local government to examined in detail.

All those that were there expressed a desire to see if Sean and Michael will come again soon, Rowan as CF Surrey Chair of course has a standing invite; many confirmed their wish to attend the next event, general election commitments permitting, at which a panel of composed of Professor James Boys (Richmond American University), Allan Sykes of the UKNDA, and guests, with myself Chairing will be discussing the future of the ‘Special Relationship’ and how the general election could impact upon it! Please wish me luck, or even better come along to see how I do! This will take place on the 26th of February at the usual venue, the Epsom Conservative Club; attendees are invited to arrive at 19:30hrs for 20:00hrs start.

All of these events are featured in greater detail on our Facebook EECF page http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=108271599880 so please come and have a look or e-mail office@epsomconservatives.com for a full list of events and literature.

Epsom and Ewell Conservative Future is currently looking for a New Campaign Secretary; all are welcome to apply by sending about half a page of why they think they would good for the role…applicants have till the 10th of Febuary…all applications to be sent to me at AlexanderDouglasClarke@googlemail.com