I should have posted something to this effect a few weeks ago, but I’ve been busy just getting on with things. Last month I was selected as Labour’s candidate for the Ormskirk West Lancashire County Council seat.

It’s an incredible honour to be given the opportunity to campaign on a Labour ticket in Ormskirk, especially in the obviously difficult times that we all face at the moment.

I’m told that the Conservative candidate lives somewhere over in Parbold, and so it’s doubly satisfying to know that I’m the only major party candidate who actually lives in the town.

It’s a short period of time between now and June 6th when the election will take place, and most of my spare time has been spent going out talking to people around the town about the issues that face them. I expect that I’ll be doing that right up until polling day.

I’ve been at it for about two weeks now and I’m pleased to say that most people have been extremely welcoming considering that for most I’m just a stranger knocking on the door. In many cases I speak to people who disagree with the Labour party and what they stand for. I can quite understand, particularly considering what we get in the media each day, that natural Conservative supporters will feel quite bitter towards the current government – and therefore me, on their doorstep.

However, it’s good to see that many people, of all backgrounds and points of view, are pleased just to have _anyone_ come around and talk to them.

There is a massive political disengagement in Ormskirk, which comes across when you talk to people about the things that really matter to them. People feel incredibly let down by those currently in control. Some of this is systematic in the way that they deal with “casework” and some of it is simply down to political dogma by those in charge. Either way, the net result is that there is no trust in those that look after the interests of the town.

Over time, I’ll write more on the specific issues that have been coming up while canvassing. However, there is a common thread across all the issues that are raised. People feel like they’re on their own – despite reaching out to local politicians and those who work at the Council, they still feel like there isn’t anyone on their side.

That’s something that I would try to change. But regardless of whether or not I win – for the sake of our town – we have to clear out the cynicism in our local politics.