One of the most common questions I am asked is “so what made you get involved with politics?”  Here is my explanation to why I decided to become a political activist.

I recall an early memory from my childhood when I was on a family trip to central London.  Whilst walking through an underground station I noticed someone begging for money.  Everyone continued to walk past on his or her daily business as did we, but I felt a sense of guilt that we didn’t stop to help.  This is a memory that stayed with me.  Looking back at this today I am aware that the beggar may not have been genuine, we are warned of the existence of professional beggars and people who may spend the money given to them fuelling drug or alcohol addiction.  However it is easy to find reasons not to help people but what if he was genuine?  Can we tell the difference? Do we really care?  

There are plenty of people in society who need support and we all in some way or another need to rely on government.  Without government there would for example be no National Health Service, police force, army or welfare state.  We all at some point in our lives rely on the help, support and understanding of others.  My getting involved with politics is a way of fulfilling a promise I made to myself that someday I would work to make a positive difference in society.  Also I work to encourage other people to become politically active and do the same.

The main trigger to join a political party came from a compliment passed on to me by a former teacher through my mum.  She noticed my growing political interests and suggested that perhaps I should become a politician!  The idea stuck and shortly after the 1997 general election I joined the Conservative Party.  The biggest appeal to me about politics is that it is an area where you’re in a position to be able to influence matters that touch every area of people’s lives.

My drive that keeps me going in politics has always been to assist others who are in need.  It can be difficult being a political activist and sometimes it can grind me down.  Then I will notice a situation of suffering or injustice is being highlighted in the news or I see something first hand that effects me.  Such things always help me put things in perspective and carry on fighting for my political beliefs and the party I have put my trust in.