This is the question that the vast majority of people have asked me as I have been knocking on doors throughout the last 4 months.
And the answer is simple.
After 29 years it is highly unlikely that any borough councillor will have the same levels of drive, enthusiasm and ambition as when they started their role as an elected official. Everyone I meet agrees with that view. So we need to bring in a fresh perspective to the role in 2015.
I will bring new ideas which you can read here, the ability to reset important relationships across a wide range of important stakeholders, I will bring energy and a much longer term view to the role.
I walked to the Stevington Windmill today (left), to take stock of my 4 month campaign.
I will not join every committee going; I will use my energy for the issues that matter and dedicate myself to making a positive difference to the people in the Ward and to Bedford more broadly.
Since 1986 the Council in Bedford has been ‘hung’ and you can see the result; a dilapidated and dreary town that nobody wants to visit. The lack of a majority has resulted in a lack of consistency in policy implementation and the independent councillors have swayed with the breeze, supporting this vanity project and the other. The current Mayor has served our town very poorly and we have a chance to change this but only with a Conservative majority will Bedford ever get the chance to put together a long term plan for the regeneration of the town.
As you can see from my website, I would be at the forefront of that programme if I am given the chance. And I would blog about the experience so that people know what is happening and not be left in the dark over the future of our Ward and our county town.
Yes, a Borough Councillor has responsibilities for the people of the Ward, tackling long term issues as well as those that bubble up. And the Borough Councillor should be accessible to everyone, regardless of age or issue. But the role must also demonstrate leadership in the Council; the town has been allowed to drift because of a lack of vision and decisive leadership and this has to change.
We need a more inclusive Borough Councillor and I am the only candidate in Oakley Ward who has the life experience to deliver this.
So if you are reading this now and you want to see a new, fresh approach to how local politics is run in Oakley ward, then vote Ade Clewlow on Thursday and let’s make a change together.
There is so much to be done…
Ade Clewlow MBE 