And Thank You

Elections are over — for now — and I have had chance to catch up on sleep, after the marathon of Thursday and Friday. You will no doubt know the result in Banbury: we came second, improving our vote and putting ourselves in a strong position for the coming years. This was also reflected in the local elections where we did creditably in several seats.

I want now to thank all of you who supported our campaign for real change in North Oxfordshire, whether it be by being one of our local candidates, or delivering leaflets, or putting up a poster, or just turning up at the polling station and voting. It’s was so encouraging to find people coming forward, offering to help and wanting to be put of our movement. We have built up momentum and our next step is to ensure we not only keep that but we help it increase.

As you know, this was the first time I had stood for Parliament and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. If I were to pick out one element I found most rewarding it would be the visits to schools, listening to students’ views and engaging with them. But that was one high point among many. It was also a real pleasure to work with an enthusiastic and growing team, and to be standing in an area I know so well.

On election night, one of the journalists present asked me whether, if I was given the opportunity, I would stand again. I had a one-word answer: absolutely.