Why a Conservative?

Several people have asked me why I am not standing as an Independent. Surely, they say, party politics is not really relevant in local government?

This indeed was my mother’s view. She sat as an independent councillor for Stratford upon Avon Rural District Council for some years in the 1960’s and early 1970’s, and believed firmly that this gave her more freedom of action.

When contemplating whether or not to become a candidate I did consider standing as an Independent, but swiftly rejected the idea. While it is true that many of the decisions taken by local politicians have no connection with party politics, none the less I am, I think, fundamentally a Conservative, and to stand as anything else would not be honest.

What do I mean when I say I am a Conservative?

I believe in small government, and where government is obliged to get involved to seek to achieve good value for money. The result of this should be to keep taxation as low as possible.

I believe that relying too heavily on the ability of the human race to plan the future is dangerous, and that well regulated market forces often deliver better results.

Finally, and probably most importantly, because I value the tried and tested and am keen to conserve English heritage and the countryside, I believe that change should only be undertaken with great care. On the Today programme last week Tony Blair stated that ‘All politicians want to do things’. My reaction to this is ‘Well yes, but not by indulging in perpetual activity that in its haste destroys that which is good and worthwhile’. Change should be safe change; I am totally opposed to reform for its own sake.

Conservatism is not a particularly ideological creed, and the principles set out above should be read as pre-dispositions rather than inflexible mantras. If I am elected as a councillor I will be approaching all issues with these guiding principles in mind, while recognising however that each and every situation should be assessed on its own merits.