I’m not sure if I’ve covered this in the blog yet, but it feels like the right time to do so.The question I keep being asked;sometimes directly, sometimes through whispers, is:
“Why are you writing this blog?”
There are lots of reasons, though perhaps not the ones some people might think.
Keeping Sane and Speaking Honestly
First and foremost, writing helps keep me sane.
I was never really “a writer.” I’ve never kept a journal or a blog before. But for some reason, maybe since the arrival of ChatGPT, I’ve found writing surprisingly easy and deeply therapeutic.
And no, this isn’t being written by a computer. ChatGPT just helps me tidy things up and occasionally removes a bit of waffle (and there’s plenty of that!).
What this space gives me is freedom: the freedom to reflect on what it’s really like to be a Town Councillor without worrying about grammar, spelling, or politics.
The Bigger Picture
In the May 2025 town and parish council elections, 7,802 seats, almost two-thirds, were filled without a vote because there weren’t enough candidates.
Even after the elections, 21.5% of seats remained vacant, and 31 councils couldn’t even meet because they didn’t have enough members to legally make decisions.
The average age of a councillor in 2022 was 60 years old. Nearly half (42%) were aged 65 or over, and a significant number had been serving for 10, 15, or even 25 years.
Meanwhile, only 19% of the UK population is over 65. That tells you how off-balance local representation really is.
We need younger people, fresh faces, and more diverse voices on parish and town councils. We need contested wards; real choice, not automatic co-option because there are six spaces and seven names. That’s not democracy; that’s default.
Why I Stood
My faith in both national and international politics has been wearing thin. But I believe local government, parish and town councils, still has the potential to empower people, to give communities a sense of control over where they live and what happens there.
If people feel listened to, even when they don’t agree with every decision, they’re more likely to engage and to trust the process. And that’s what I stood for: openness, honesty, and genuine conversation.
That’s also why I write this blog, not just for our parishioners (though I know some of you do read it!), but for anyone curious about what really happens behind those council doors.
The Reality So Far
I do want this blog to encourage people to stand for their local council.
But I also want to be honest, it hasn’t been easy.
The last five months have been anything but plain sailing. There have been moments of real pride and achievement, but also some low points. At times, I’ve felt ganged up on and, yes, demonised.
Still, the aim has always been to give an authentic account, the highs and the lows, of what it’s like to be a councillor in 2025.
To Be Clear – What this Blog is (and isn’t) About
Let me tackle a misconception head-on:
- This blog is not written to call out or criticise individuals.
- It’s not about people.
- It’s about systems, processes, and procedures, the way things are done within the framework of local government.
For those who’ve been part of that system for decades, it can be uncomfortable when someone new starts asking questions. It might feel personal. But it isn’t.
I stood on a platform of public engagement, transparency, and communication, and that’s exactly what I’m doing.
The Nolan Principles
This blog, in many ways, helps me live up to the Nolan Principles of Public Life, the ethical standards expected of anyone in public office.
Two, in particular, feel especially relevant:
Accountability
Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.
Openness
Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.
That’s why I write this blog.
It’s about accountability.
It’s about openness.
And it’s about ensuring that local government remains connected to the people it’s meant to serve.
Next Steps
I take my responsibility seriously, and I’ve arranged to meet with my local MP to talk about my experience so far as a Town Councillor. I’ll let you know how that goes.
Until then, thank you for reading, for engaging, and for caring. Because whatever else this blog may be, it’s written with one purpose: to keep the door open.
Leave a Reply