Naturally, I was more than happy and proud to have been able to outline my 50+ years in the local area and more than a decade actively helping local residents in matters of housing, school places, community safety and whilst working at Chalk Farm, Belsize and Keats and Swiss Cottage Libraries.
When I give interviews, I am always astonished just how many years I have been active doing community campaigning work!
I was speaking so passionately about local issues that I nearly forgot to tell Kate Ferguson that I was an active member and now Vice Chair of a local SNT Police Panel for over three years.
Unlike many Potential candidates who parachute or suddenly become active in an area and join every possible community forum before an election and then so typically vanish into the night soon after losing an election! I do these community things because I passionately care about my local area and most importantly do them win or lose. My life values are based on solid commitments.
It may sound old fashioned, but I sincerely believe that to enter the sphere of community work and helping people that put all their trust in you is a big responsibility and is a sacred trust.
When I lost by only 52 votes in Belsize ward during the May 2010 General and Local elections the other side of Primrose Hill, no doubt some people thought I may vanish too! But no I continued to do the same community work and indeed even took on board far greater responsibilities by being successfully elected by a selection interview panel of Labour councillors as a co-opted member to the Housing and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee at Camden Town Hall and being elected as Vice Chair to my local SNT Police Panel.
So I hope you see that win or lose I am here to serve you in Camden Town with Primrose Hill and indeed all of Camden Borough as your prospective councillor.
My young 6 year daughter who was one of the 130 children unable to get a school place in Belsize or indeed in Primrose Hill area, often goes with me when I am campaigning, she loves telling me how proud she is of me. What better praise can a Father receive than from his own Daughter.
Photo is of me outside one of my local Libraries, Chalk Farm, where I used to work in my college gap years. I don't think the staff room has changed since all those years!
