What Makes Bill Tick as a Parliamentary Candidate - answers to a recent questionnaire! (Flintshire Liberal Democrats)

Flintshire Liberal Democrats <info@flintshirelibdems.org.uk>

What Makes Bill Tick as a Parliamentary Candidate - answers to a recent questionnaire!

March 1, 2010 9:01 AM

1. What was your first political experience? I suppose thirty years of policing!

2. Why did you join your party? Basically they were people I got to know on community issues and I liked their approach, the good way they dealt with issues and problems. It was a development rather than an ambition or sudden epiphany.

3. What did you do before becoming a PPC? Interesting idea that everything else stops when you become a PPC! It doesn't - its something you do on top of whatever else.I retired as Deputy Chief Constable of North Wales six years ago - since then I have carried out consultancy work and hold a number of public appointments, largely in the health field.

4. What are your biggest interests outside politics? Walking with our dogs in the hills. Playing my guitar. I am an active campaigner on motorcycle safety issues.

5. What's your favourite political song? I'm not sure what a political song is, and what isn't, so Leonard Cohen -Hallelujah or Bruce Springsteen- Born to Run.

6. What's your favourite political movie? Apocalypto - something about there always being a surprise round the corner!

7.What makes you suited to representing your constituency? I care about the area I live in, and the people.

8. Why do you think you would be a good MP? I work hard and I care.

9. What are your main policy interests? Law and Order and Health. Thirty years of policing gives me a wealth of experience, and concern in that first area. Life's trials and tribulations give you more and more experience of the health sector - I do some work in that field too. They are key concerns to many people.

10. If you had the chance to pass one law, what would it be? A sunset clause in all new bills, so we don't have a mass of old, outdated and outmoded laws.

For any new law an old one should be deleted!

11. Who is your favourite political figure and why? A very unfashionable question - to think anyone in politics might be popular!

I studied politics for three years at university, so maybe an amalgam of a number of different people. Gladstone - local to me in north Wales, came from Liverpool where I spent most of my career,

resigned at one stage over a matter of conscience, and a great reformer. Of course he had his critics - but everyone does.Then Bevan for his health care work - 'The collective principle asserts that... no society can legitimately call itself civilised if a sick person is denied medical aid because of lack of means'. [Aneurin Bevan , In Place of Fear.] I wonder if Obama has read that?

12. Summarise your beliefs in one sentence. Politics should be about fairness, and power should always be moderated.