Political experience

Since the age of 17 I have been a member of the Liberal Democrats. Whilst I was at Therfield School, I led a victorious Lib Dem team in a mock European election.

At Nottingham University I became very involved in student politics. I took a year out of my studies to work in the elected sabbatical role of Education Officer on the Students’ Union Executive Committee. This involved running campaigns and representing the University’s 24,000 students on 22 University committees. I also assisted and represented students in academic appeals, for example if they had been thrown off their course because they had failed exams. In addition, I conducted many public-relations activities, such as speeches to freshers and to prospective students’ parents. I really enjoyed my year as Education Officer. The highlights were meetings with Ministers, television interviews and giving a speech to 1,500 students – 5 times. The year was an exciting and challenging experience, and hugely rewarding.

After University I moved back to Leatherhead, Surrey. I studied Law in Guildford and joined Mole Valley Lib Dems’ Executive Committee. In 2006 I was the candidate for Fetcham West in the District Council elections and received 519 votes. I also helped Hubert Carr’s campaign to win Leatherhead North.

I have campaigned for the Lib Dems in various parts of Surrey and London. In 2006 and 2007 I was a delegate at Federal Conference, and submitted an Emergency Policy Motion to the autumn 2007 Federal Policy Committee.

During the summer of 2006 I moved to Clapham. In the autumn I was elected a member of Battersea and Tooting Lib Dems’ Executive Committee. I later became its Social and Fundraising Officer and have organised various events for the Local Party. One such event was a barn dance which raised almost £200 and saw the highest turnout of any event the Local Party had held in a long time. I am also the writer and editor of Battersea and Tooting’s newsletter.