As a Londoner I have never lost my enthusiasm for the city. I would not have joined the Liberal Democrats if I did not passionately believe in the core values that the Party has to offer. The only way we are going to gain seats in London is by working as a team, having clear objectives and methods of campaigning and fund-raising, and a co-ordinated approach which I believe will see us getting our message across.
I believe I will generate media interest as I have a good story to tell and will improve Liberal Democrat representation across London as Mayoral candidate in a hugely multi-cultural city giving us an opportunity to get our message across as part of our wider GLA campaign.
As a member of the Liberal Democrat parliamentary committee in which I take a lead on waste, part of my role is to advise ministers, Liberal Democrat MPs & Lords on policy and to explain the benefits of coalition to the wider business community.
I have a good working knowledge of the GLA and its committees as I have been a GLA committee member for some years now. My experience as a councillor for over 16 years and working with the former mayor’s advisor on a wide range of issues has provided me with an excellent understanding of the workings of local and national government and the relationships between them.
I have a good understanding of the needs of various communities and the barriers that hinder them. The priorities between inner and outer London are wide and varied making sure that the policies that we put in place are the right ones that affect all of London is vital. The balance of rights and responsibilities of the mayor and the GLA members are always going to be a challenge but I have never shied from making tough decisions.
I was a Member of London Councils Transport & Environment Committee, contributing to the development of policies in a political environment and overseeing the strategic direction of London, engaging with both mayors and their advisors. I also liaised with GLA staff and elected members, LDA and Transport for London at board level, as well as regularly meeting with Government ministers to discuss issues affecting London’s environment.
I want to continue to use this extensive knowledge and experience to help deliver policies and initiatives for Londoners. More than ever, I have the strength, drive, ability and enthusiasm needed to be the Mayor of London. Working with Liberal Democrat colleagues, Parliamentarians and local councillors as a team has further convinced me that we are the only party which can take LONDON forward.
If we are to enjoy any real success in the London elections, we are going to have to persuade voters whom we have not traditionally attracted to make a journey. I have, myself, made that very journey, and I know how to persuade others to do the same.
I am asking for the opportunity to continue promoting Liberal Democrat policies, strategies and vision to deliver a social, economic and environmental wellbeing and fairness of opportunity for all Londoners. Contact me at [email protected]
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6 Comments
Nice introduction.
I think a fair few of us on here didn’t really know you yet so it was quite interesting to find that you had these roles within the party.
Some concrete examples of decisions you’re made and policies you’ve contributed to would help give us an even better idea of the kind of work we could expect from you as mayor.
Are you planning follow up posts to share a vision of London? Both Mike and the other Brian have written various articles where they spell out their vision to deal with issues like housing. It would be great to see some more competing views.
(I’m not a Londoner btw, just inviting following the contest! 🙂 )
Hello Brian
You write: “I would not have joined the Liberal Democrats if I did not passionately believe in the core values that the Party has to offer” and of “a co-ordinated approach which I believe will see us getting our message across.”
What are those values? What is that message? What’s your philosophy?
Something I always ask someone seeking my vote in a Lib Dem election – and I’ve done it from local PPC hopefuls to party leader candidates – is this.
People say all politicians are the same. Everybody talks about experience, hard work, listening to local people. So what really motivates you? What makes you different from any other party?
Brian, if someone asked you on the doorstep, the hustings or on TV to sum up in one or two sentences what the Lib Dems, uniquely, stand for, and why anyone should vote for us, what’s your answer?
Because I don’t get any sense of that from your article. If you did a “Replace All” on the words “Liberal Democrat” with “Labour” or “Conservative” and told anyone this was from a candidate seeking election for those other parties, I don’t see a single other word that they wouldn’t say.
And if other Brian, Mike or Lembit fancy giving their own answers to the same question, I’d be happy to read them.
“A co-ordinated approach which I believe will see us getting our message across.”
You are right that the Liberal Democrats need to be able to get across a good strong message about liberalism, and why it is important for London to have Lib Dem Assembly Members (and hopefully a Lib Dem Mayor). Your CV is impressive, and when I met you, you were engaging and seemed a good candidate. BUT . . .
You may have a story to tell, but Brian, I’m yet to be convinced you’re going to be able to tell it. You seemingly have no website, no presence on Facebook and Twitter, and your manifesto is a prose essay.
All candidates from all parties need to be able to get their message across, and that does mean using mediums that real people are actually going to look at. Now, I don’t expect everyone to be able to do everything, but I would hope that a candidate can put together a team that can compensate for his/her weaknesses.
Nice to hear from you, Brian, and I’m happy to see a new face in the running. It sounds like you have some great strengths and experience, but I agree with the other 2 comments that your writing style at the moment comes across too much like a CV cover letter – it’d be nice to hear some ‘top 3 priorities’ type stuff. Don’t forget that when selecting a candidate members are going to look for not just who has the ability to be effective in a committee meeting, but who can inspire voters (and activists) to turn out for them and who can inspire a dynamic campaign.
What are you passionate about? What makes you proud to be a Lib Dem? What makes you angry on behalf of the people in London who are being let down by our society and our institutions? If you were given the power to make a single change to the capital, what would it be?
If I weren’t a Lib Dem and you had 10 seconds on the doorstep to try and convince me to vote for you and other LDs in 2012, what would you say?
Brian – I tend to agree with some of the comments above. You look like an excellent candidate and I am sure that you would do a good job.
However, you are not going to win this internal selection – partly because you are relatively new but mainly because the material you sent out is simply not up to scratch. I would love to see you come back again next time working with some people who can help sharpen your message and help market you more effectively.
Brian, I understand that whilst a local labour councilor in Saint Anns ward and before defecting to the Liberal Democrats your informal application to join the Conservative Party was refused because it was subject to you being offered a job by the Conservatives. I also understand that your business interest in Haringey Council remained undisclosed. I also understand you were not always present at your ward meetings- a bone of contention in your ward!
What do you say to people who describe you as a political prostitute and that you not the kind of person fit to tell our story to the public?