Fresh-faced MP with a knack for asking awkward questions
In June, Ben Lake was elected as MP for Ceredigion. He’s one of the youngest MPs in the country. Ruth Mosalski chatted to him about his campaign and first few weeks in Parliament
IF you’re involved in politics, chances are you remember where you were on April 18 this year.
It was the day Theresa May shocked the country by announcing there would be another general election.
Ben Lake was among those surprised by the announcement.
Days after Mrs May called that election, Plaid Cymru selected the unknown 24-year-old as their candidate in Ceredigion.
It may have been one of few gambles that paid off in the election of 2017, as he secured the seat.
The night he was selected, he drove the 14 or so miles back to his Lampeter home with a dawning realisation.
“I remember just thinking, ‘Blimey, what’s going to happen next?” he said.
What followed was zig-zagging across his home county campaigning for votes.
“That was without doubt the best bit,” he said, but at the time he saw it as an experience rather than a realistic shot at victory.
He only felt the tide turn as the campaigning drew to a close.
He remembers visiting two villages at different ends of the county and in both, he arrived to find people waiting to meet him – even though he’d never visited either location before.
But as he went into the count on June 8, he said his fear was that he would score so few votes he would lose his deposit.
In fact the count was so close, it was followed by not just one but two recounts.
As day broke, he ousted Lib Dem leader Mark Williams by 104 votes.
He doesn’t know what won him the election, but he’s happy with the way the campaign played out.
During the last general election, current Cardiff council leader Huw Thomas stood as a Labour candidate. Controversial comments he had made as a student came to light after he called for the resignation of Plaid’s candidate Mike Parker for his own controversial views.
It wasn’t a great period for politics in Ceredigion. Even in this year’s campaign, Mr Williams had to apologise for Facebook advertisements and leaflets which made false claims about Plaid.
However, Ben has no criticism of his predecessor.
At a recent public meeting in Aberystwyth, I may not have been the only one surprised to see the pair sharing not only a more than civil chat at the beginning, but also sharing comments throughout the meeting, having unintentionally taken seats within whispering distance of each other.
“Mark was very kind to wish me well straight away,” said Ben.
“He wasn’t just the MP for Ceredigion but he was my MP too. The work he has done, I appreciate.”
But now it’s time for Ben Lake MP to make the headlines. The Lampeterborn-and-bred Oxford graduate is the son of a policeman and his mum works for the local council.
He grew up in the town but has plenty of family who live in rural Ceredigion.
He’s worked for Plaid AM Elin Jones.
Far from being a problem, he thinks his young age could be an asset.
“When it comes to age, other people might be more experienced but that’s not always the most helpful. It can be a hindrance. Younger people can be more receptive to bringing in new ways.
“There’s around 10 MPs in their 20s and we are certainly challenging and inquisitive. Your duty is to question – and we are.”
He remembers as he was given a tour around Parliament on his first day, asking why he had to bow at certain points.
He wasn’t trying to be awkward or insolent, just curious. And he was amused to discover the staff didn’t know.
“They couldn’t answer,” he says, chuckling.
Another query has been why the summer recess is so long.
But he is settling into Westminster life – even if it does involve a commute involving a two-hour drive and four-hour train journey.
He has set himself a bold agenda – he wants better broadband, public services and basic infrastructure.
Any rural MP has the same concerns, he says.
Broadband has to be viewed as an essential amenity he says, not just for leisure but also for business, medical assistance and more.
He admits that is a “big ask”. But he believes it can be done, if a way can be found to keep young people in Ceredigion, or tempt them back there for their careers.
“You need new people as well as experienced,” he says – something which is probably as much a motto summing up his own career as it is his next big policy idea.