I was proud to have been selected as the Labour candidate
for the June election. I applied because it was something I had been
considering for some time and although I accept that the opportunity had
perhaps come a little earlier than I would have liked, I was pleased to have
been able to throw myself at the opportunity. It was a huge learning curve for
me and for those around me, even with the campaigning experience I already had
and my experience of being a local town councillor. I would again, like to place on record my
thanks to those that worked for me and alongside me during that campaign.
Without the support of the executive committee, the active CLP members and my
family, we would not have come anywhere near as close as we did. A result that was a surprise to many. We had one of the largest swings to Labour in
the country and now we must go on and win this seat from the Tories.
The campaign was exhausting, but at least I did not have to
maintain my employment during that short campaign and I was able to put on hold
my duties as a Town councillor to some extent.
Since the election I have found it difficult to get back into work mode
and as some of you know, my work takes me away from Cornwall on a regular
basis. But having had to take 6 weeks
unpaid leave for the election, for now at least my work has necessarily become
my main focus. As a town councillor I am
on 6 committees, which is also a huge commitment. It is a commitment I enjoy
and do not wish to relinquish, at least until I can be confident that I have
achieved something for the town.
Most of you will know my political thoughts and where I
stand on most issues. I stand on the left of the party. But I do not think that
the Labour party should only be a party of the far left. It needs to maintain a
broad range of views. It needs this in order to have a useful debate and to
engage with the widest possible electorate.
It makes me feel uncomfortable when people with skills and experience
within the party are overlooked for people with little or no experience just
because they belong to a certain
faction. Even if we do not agree with
another person’s views, the debate can make us all stronger and we can all
learn from the experiences of others, good or bad. This attitude, of rejecting knowledge in
favour of inexperience and the unknown,
is in my view short sighted and will only continue to lead to further division
in the party. I urge you all to not let internal divisions be the reason we
fail to elect a Labour MP here. Working together, respecting the views of
others, embracing all those that want to help us, as well as activating new
members is the way we will win.
I consider the role of candidate a full time job, something
that requires a great deal of work for whoever is privileged to take it on.
They will need a strong team behind them and they will need to work tirelessly
until the next election. But there is no certainty over when the next election
will be. It would be a great honour to be selected as the candidate, but for me
it is not the right time. At this moment in time I do not feel that I would be
able to dedicate myself to the role in the way that is required or that the
people of Camborne, Redruth & Hayle deserve. Right now my job and my role
as town councillor and my family deserve my full attention. It is therefore, with regret that I now
withdraw my application and wish the other applicants well in their campaigns.