I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself to people on a more personal level. It’s not possible for me to be able to meet and speak to everyone in the ward I’m standing in, so I thought this could be a way for some of you to get to know me a little.
Some basic facts to start with:
Born in Stepping Hill Hospital.
Grew up on Bridgehall.
Have also lived on Offerton estate and Lancashire Hill.
Currently live in Adswood, I live in a council house with some family members.
I’m a 30+ year old cisgender gay working class man.
Went to Bridgehall Primary School and then Avondale/Stockport Academy for high school and sixth form.
Studied at university for a couple of years but dropped out in the final year as I was deeply unhappy with where my life was and I wasn’t studying something I was truly passionate about.
Work part time in a supermarket.
Spend most of my spare time on politics, volunteering and activism.
Outside of politics and work etc,
I watch tv and movies. I’ve been watching a lot of stuff on various streaming sites mostly political videos and educational content along with some more light hearted stuff. I go to the cinema with my friends. I attend a weekly Saturday morning meet up with a lovely group of LGBTQIA+ people.
I take photos and create digital art (No AI!) and play video games. I read on occasion, even though I always enjoy reading a new book I don’t read as much as I’d like.
Some of my struggles
I think its important for us all to be willing, if comfortable, to talk about the things we struggle with. At times I struggle with confidence and self image. I can also be nervous and anxious. I’ve been trying for years to get a full time job. I want to spend my working life helping people unfortunately paying jobs in this area, which I am also suitable for, are few and far between. As such its been a struggle to survive on a part time, just barely above the minimum, wage for years.
I definitely don’t rest as much as I should almost 10 years in politics, volunteering and activism and I have scarcely taken more than a couple of weeks of real break in that time. I have an awful habit of having the week off my paid work and filling it with unpaid activity.
Some positives about me
I also struggle to say positive things about myself but its important to try.
I’ve been told I am kind, funny and speak well to people. I try to be polite and understanding.
I am a very curious person and love learning about new things. I recently read a fascinating book about the immune system called Immune I recommend it to anyone wanting to learn more.
I have a genuine deep seated desire to spend my life working with others to make the world a better place for us all.
I can be a little socially anxious at times but I do genuinely enjoy spending time with people once I feel comfortable.
When and why did I get involved in politics
I first got involved in politics a few days after the Brexit vote. Despite the timing this wasn’t due to Brexit itself, it was more that Brexit acted a catalyst for me getting involved.
I got involved in politics because I was tired of watching things get endlessly worse and doing nothing about it. As mentioned above I really do want to work with others to make the world a better place for those in it.
Campaigns and groups I am/have been a part of
Campaigns
First campaign I got involved with was to try and stop the Farmfoods that used to be in the centre of Stockport from closing.
I was involved in a successful, at the time, campaign for Stockport to keep providing 2 rounds of IVF on the NHS. This is now under threat.
I spent a good few years as part of a campaign where we held regular stalls outside of Stockport’s job centre to inform attendees about their rights and where they can get support.
I’ve been involved in a campaign to try and keep Central Library as a library. As well as trying to save the free 300 bus that used to go around the town centre.
There are no doubt more campaigns but these are the one that come to mind at the moment. In general the campaigns I’ve been involved in have been against austerity, in defence of public services and for equality.
Groups
I was a trustee of Stockport Pride for 5 years. I am still very active in Stockport’s LGBTQ+ community.
I have alternately been Chair, Secretary and Treasurer of a local anti-austerity organisation.
Have been a key local organiser in various left wing parties such as Left Unity and now Your Party.
I have supported the actions of various other groups as well. Around Palestine, protecting the NHS, equality, supporting migrants, asylum seekers and refugees, housing, workers rights and more.
Political issues and matters which are close to my heart
While all political issues are important of course. I don’t think its unfair for us to admit some of them we each feel more personally connected to than others. As an aside about the election, rest assured regardless of if the issue you might bring to me is on this list or not, if elected as your councillor I will take it seriously and help you if I can.
Opposing war and genocide. These things must be opposed in all their forms. They bring nothing but misery, pain and death.
Being a gay man the rights of LGBTQIA+ people are deeply important for me.
I have spent my life poor and working class. The issue of poverty, austerity and public services is very important to me.
I believe in the need for the wholesale change of our democratic, legal and economic systems. Ultimately I think we need to build new systems from the ground up. Where power truly rests with the people.
Thanks for reading! If you have any questions feel free to get in touch at stockportyourparty@gmail.com.