This is the latest in ConservativeHome's new ongoing series in which each week a different PPC provides us with an insight into life as a candidate and gives us a flavour of their own campaign and interests. If you are a candidate and are keen to be featured, please email Jonathan Isaby.
This week's diary is written by Deirdre Alden, candidate for Birmingham Edgbaston. She fought the seat in 2005, halving the majority of sitting Labour MP Gisela Stuart to 2,349, and she was readopted soon afterwards. Having originally trained as an actress, she has worked in the theatre, as an English teacher at Berlitz, and as a freelance writer for over 25 years. She is currently a full-time councillor, representing Edgabston ward on Birmingham City Council. She also writes a daily blog.
Monday
As well as being Edgbaston's PPC, I'm Chairman of two Birmingham City Council Committees - one of which is Health Overview & Scrutiny. In this role I keep an eye on the work of the 11 NHS Trusts which operate in the city. Over the weekend, the Chief Executive of one trust has resigned, so Monday morning sees me heading straight for my office at the Council House to discuss the weekend's developments with officers.
From there it's on to another council office, this time in the Edgbaston constituency. We have partial devolution in Birmingham, which means each of the 10 new parliamentary constituencies which come into place at the next General Election (currently we have 11 MPs in Birmingham) has a corresponding council committee. My second council chairmanship (unsurprisingly!) is of the Edgbaston Constituency Committee.
Home from my meeting late afternoon and it's straight on to the computer to deal with casework. Then off to a local hotel for a meeting of the Edgbaston Supper Club - a branch of Edgbaston Conservative Association. The speaker, Sir Bernard Zissman, gives a talk on "The Changing Face of Birmingham". Interesting speech, good food, good company, and raising money for party funds at the same time. Can't be bad!
Continue reading "Diary of a PPC: Deirdre Alden (Birmingham Edgbaston)" »
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