The Rock Blog

Stuart Davenport is Councillor for Dunchurch and Knightlow ward in Warwickshire. 

According to research by the LGA the average age of a Councillor in the UK is 56. This in itself is a figure to put off most people of CF age. However, when an opportunity to represent your own ward comes along it is very difficult to say no. This is what happened to me in February 2007 and after a fraught election campaign I became the duly elected member for Dunchurch and Knightlow ward.

Throughout the election campaign I saw CF at it’s strongest: in campaign mode. Putting aside differences, leaving ambition at home and uniting in the shared cause of Conservatism. A team of 10 CFers launched an offensive in my ward that made everyone sit up and take note. Blue rosettes, a diverse mix of people and a sense of humour that was infectious! I have no doubt days like this played an important role in my victory.

Yet the old stigma of ‘Young Conservatives’ still rears it’s ugly head sometimes. Henry Kissinger once said: ‘University politics are vicious precisely because the stakes are so small’ and in a way he was right. Out with national and local elections CF often seems hell bent on squabbling like children. For someone like me with no Parliamentary ambitions I sometimes get cross: the people destined to represent me in the Commons will surely get there whether they are in CF or not?

Council life is hard but enjoyable. Juicy issues are outnumbered by prosaic ones, however being given the duty of representing other people is a tremendous honour! If you have the time and the commitment I would wholeheartedly recommend it.

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