Cosford election result

I am sorry that Philip Mutton failed to retain the Cosford Division seat for the Conservatives in Thursday’s election.   He would have offered energy, enthusiasm and fresh ideas to the County Council. He would also have served his residents well and with impartiality.

Through no fault of his own, Philip was selected late and therefore found it difficult to speak to as many voters as he would have liked.   I believe that some people were put off by his relative youth, believing that he would lack the necessary experience to make a difference.  Others were concerned that he would not have time to do the job since he works full time.

These views were misconceived.   Despite his age Philip has a natural maturity of approach and can command the respect of young and old.  A broader point is that we really do need to try to reduce the average age of councillors.  In Suffolk even now this must be well over 60… hardly representative of the population at large.   As far as the need to work is concerned, Philip had the commitment to do the work, his company was willing to grant time off, and in any event should local politics really just be the preserve of the retired and/or the self employed?

Anyway, the people have had their say, and I must congratulate the winner, Robert Lindsay, on his success.  I also wish the residents of Cosford the best of luck.