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 Iain Stewart,
candidate
for Milton Keynes South. Having stood in 2001 and 2005 in Milton Keynes South West -
which makes up most of the new seat - he was fast-tracked as PPC soon
after the last election. Following the boundary changes, Iain is facing a notional Labour majority of 1,497 against the incumbent MP, Dr Phyllis Starkey.
Monday 22nd June
The alarm bleeps into life at the usual 5.45am. It’s never my best time of day but this morning I’m feeling even more sluggish than normal as I got back home late on Sunday after a flying visit to Scotland for a family event.
Most days I get the 7am train from Bletchley into Euston for my day job. I’m a headhunter for Odgers Berndtson, working in Virginia Bottomley’s team. In the current climate, our services are much in demand! Working with Virginia is great fun but also incredibly demanding. She is also an unofficial mentor to me, giving me wise advice on my budding Parliamentary career; and she is incredibly understanding when PPC duties intrude into normal work time.
Today I’m also keeping a close eye on the race to become the new Speaker. I had a vested interest in John Bercow winning; my seat is part of a grouping arrangement with his and, with him contesting the next election as a Speaker candidate rather than as a Conservative, that could free up valuable resources for Milton Keynes!! Seriously, I do wish him all the best in helping to restore the battered image of Parliament.
My other distraction today is trying to get to grips with my new iPhone. I wouldn’t say I’m a technophobe but it took me the best part of lunchtime to work out where to put the SIM card!
I dash out the office at 5.30pm to catch the 5.54pm train back home for a Shenley Brook End & Tattenhoe Parish Council meeting. I’ve been a Parish Councillor for the last four years (not claiming any of the expenses to which I’m entitled!) and it is a rewarding role and gives me a valuable insight into local issues. Mention Parish Councils and most people conjure up an image from the Vicar of Dibley but our Parish serves over 20,000 residents and has a budget of approximately £400,000. Tonight’s meeting covers a wide range of topics from awarding grant to a local youth football team to our future business plan. The meeting finishes at 9.45pm and I get home just in time to catch up with the Speaker election on the news.
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