Taking to the political stage at a tender age STOCKPORT EXPRESS
Young Stockport councillors on their rise to power
FOR most of us, our 20s are the time we begin to find our feet as adults – getting to grips with our first jobs, looking for a place of our own and starting to make our mark on the world.
And – without wishing to resort to stereotypes – it’s probably fair to say that the lure of the pub and nights on the town continue to loom large in many of our lives.
It’s an exciting time, but also one that can also be full of new challenges.
The world of local politics – the business of fixing potholes, ensuring bins are collected and ruling on planning applications – isn’t usually on our radar.
But, for some, the drive to make a difference in their communities has taken them all the way to the town hall and the local corridors of power.
Here three young Stockport councillors explain what inspired them to stand for election and describe life in what has traditionally been seen as the preserve of the retired and middle aged.
●●LAURA Clingan, 29, Labour councillor for Manor, Stockport.
Laura was 27 when she won the seat at the 2019 local elections, but her interest had been piqued well before.
“I grew up in a household with strong Labour values and a trade union background, we had regular discussions about issues in the news,” she explains. “From an early age my parents took me to demonstrations and rallies which exposed me to people with interesting and inspiring ideas.”
Overall she has found the last two years to be a positive and worthwhile experience.
“I have really enjoyed it,” says Laura, who works as a regional organiser for Labour.
“There are certainly moments where it can be difficult to prepare and fit in all the meetings, but it is rewarding to be able to represent members and be in a position to be able to help address issues or concerns.”
For a councillor who lives in the ward she represents, the most rewarding part of the role has been fixing problems for residents.
“Whether it’s something small like a pothole, a broken street light, or rehousing victims of domestic violence,” Laura said.
She classes her biggest achievement as part of the Labour group as providing financial support for free school meals and ensuring carers are paid a living wage.
●● CHARLES Gibson, 28, Lib Dem councillor for Hazel Grove 2019-2021
Charles’ interview was carried out before he lost his seat at the local elections on Thursday night.
Charles won his seat at a 2019 by-election after his predecessor chose to stand down, and was the youngest Lib Dem on
Stockport council.
He admits being voted in outside of the regular electoral cycle was ‘a bit weird’, as it meant he didn’t immediately get the training laid on for the new intake of councillors.
But despite having something of a baptism of fire he soon began to learn the town hall ropes.
And it’s the ‘little wins’ for his community that have meant the most to him since taking on the role.
“Lots of it is great,” he says.
“It’s simple things that members of the public really struggle with, that aren’t as easy as they should be – being able to fix those, I really like.”
It’s the monthly area committee meetings – which focus on matters such as traffic issues, small grants to community groups and some planning applications – where he feels most useful.
“I would be lying if I said I really loved the four hours we spend in full council,” he admits.
“It’s the theatre of politics, it’s the part of the process, but that’s not what I’m in it for – it’s not my happy place.”
At times he has been surprised by how difficult it can be to get apparently simple matters sorted.
“The bureaucracy and all the stuff required has been far harder than I thought it would be – and most people would think it would be – that’s the biggest surprise for me.”
The limitations of a councillor’s role can also take an emotional toll.
“What I find hard, personally, is when people contact you in serious distress with major problems and there’s nothing you can do,” says Charles.
As well as one of Stockport youngest elected members, he was also one of the few LGBT voices on the council.
And he feels the authority could be doing more to more around events such as LGBT History Month and Trans Day of Visibility and Lesbian Visibility Day.
“It would provide easy wins that visibly makes such a difference to people in the community who feel a bit more excluded or a bit more on the outside’.”
He adds: “I think it’s important that voice exists. It’s not the be all and end all and the reason I got into politics or go on to the council.
“But I think it’s important that someone is there with some of that lived experience can ask those questions and make those points.”
●●TOM Dowse, 24, Conservative councillor for Marple and High Lane 2016-2021
Elected to the council at the age of 19, Tom’s involvement in local politics came about by accident after a Conservative candidate knocked on his mum’s front door.
“I chatted with him and he was surprised that I said I’d help him with some leaflets,” recalls Tom.
“From there I got more involved in the local party, and then many encouraged me to stand. I’m not from a particularly political family, but I do remember as a kid, mum taking us to the polling station and showing me how important it is to go and vote.”
Tom stood down from the council this month to read history at King’s College London. He also works in parliament as a research, policy and communications officer.
But he speaks fondly of his time at the town hall – which included an extra 12 months due to Covid cancelling last year’s elections.
“On the whole, I have really enjoyed it,” he says.
“I’m a Marple lad through and through and it has been really rewarding to represent it.
“There have been challenges – lots of challenges. But largely it has been deeply rewarding.
“At the end of the day, the role is what you make of it. The more you put in, the more you get out. You learn pretty soon on that everything is about compromise and debate- fundamentally, being a councillor helps build wide ranging skill sets that are needed more than ever.”
For all that, though, he says there’s no getting away from the fact that elections are a tough and ruthless business.
“They’re nasty and personal,” he adds.
“I was the election agent for a female candidate a few years back and that was a real eye opener.”
Tom’s casework also brought some ‘desperately sad situations’ to light.
“Even reading these cases sometimes can be harrowing,” he says. “But you are in a position a lot of the time to help, so while some cases can be heart breaking, it is even more rewarding at the end when they get the right outcome.”