Newliberal
I joined this Forum in February but hitherto haven't introduced myself. I have been a fan of the Liberals since I frogmarched my grandfather to meet Jeremy Thorpe in 1973 and at Uni was a member of the Union of Liberal Students. Then I dropped politics until the early 1990s when I bumped into Rob Wheway during the 1994 European Elections and lent him a hand. I gave Colin Hallmark a hand in Wolverhampton in 1997. I then attended a meeting in Cov after the '97 election when Rob was trying to set up an Association, or at least, get Liberals together. I didn't join then and subsequently joined another party ('ahem) which shall be nameless, and after being elected a Parish Councillor in 1999 I was elected to our Metropolitan Borough Council at the first attempt in 2000. In the four years I was on I learnt a lot, campaigning with Lib Dem councillors who became personal friends. I did not run for re-election in 2004 (my seat has subsequently been taken by the Tories) and again gave up on politics, disgusted with the Iraq war, which our Lib Dem friends thought was wrong till it started then changed their minds (or so it looked to me). Since 2004 I have aquired a new job in a new area and a new wife who isn't the slightest bit interested in politics. In Derbyshire I'm quite isolated apart from my Uncle in Sheffield who is a life-long Liberal and at the age of 80 still campaigns for the LibDems and regards the continuing Liberals as a bit of a joke. I have always followed the Liberals' fortunes and periodically subscribed to Liberal News. Something in me is deeply attached to the radical policies of this principled party. I am enjoying this forum and see signs of hope and renewed interest. There seem to be several political newcomers out there who could do with getting together and meeting- above all, with older more experienced party activists. Lets see what happens- particularly at Assembly this year!
I joined this Forum in February but hitherto haven't introduced myself. I have been a fan of the Liberals since I frogmarched my grandfather to meet Jeremy Thorpe in 1973 and at Uni was a member of the Union of Liberal Students. Then I dropped politics until the early 1990s when I bumped into Rob Wheway during the 1994 European Elections and lent him a hand. I gave Colin Hallmark a hand in Wolverhampton in 1997. I then attended a meeting in Cov after the '97 election when Rob was trying to set up an Association, or at least, get Liberals together. I didn't join then and subsequently joined another party ('ahem) which shall be nameless, and after being elected a Parish Councillor in 1999 I was elected to our Metropolitan Borough Council at the first attempt in 2000. In the four years I was on I learnt a lot, campaigning with Lib Dem councillors who became personal friends. I did not run for re-election in 2004 (my seat has subsequently been taken by the Tories) and again gave up on politics, disgusted with the Iraq war, which our Lib Dem friends thought was wrong till it started then changed their minds (or so it looked to me). Since 2004 I have aquired a new job in a new area and a new wife who isn't the slightest bit interested in politics. In Derbyshire I'm quite isolated apart from my Uncle in Sheffield who is a life-long Liberal and at the age of 80 still campaigns for the LibDems and regards the continuing Liberals as a bit of a joke. I have always followed the Liberals' fortunes and periodically subscribed to Liberal News. Something in me is deeply attached to the radical policies of this principled party. I am enjoying this forum and see signs of hope and renewed interest. There seem to be several political newcomers out there who could do with getting together and meeting- above all, with older more experienced party activists. Lets see what happens- particularly at Assembly this year!