Neither of us have ever had much to do with Liberal Youth. We are experienced activists and party officers who were impressed by the potential of Liberal Youth next year and thought we’d have a punt at being Finance Officer. We hope our experience and total lack of ambition will mean we can serve the organisation humbly and well, protecting and improving its finances as we have done together in our student branch.

We met at Oxford University where we eventually ascended to the co-chairmancy of the university branch of the party. In those dim and distant years (2011) Oxfordshire didn’t have much in the way of Liberals or youths, let alone a Liberal Youth, so OU Lib Dems gave our substantial weight and money towards helping with local party campaigns. We were both candidates for city council seats. One of them was even winnable. But eventually we were forced to part ways: James to study Byzantine history, whatever that is, and Robin to work in what he farcically described as the real world.

And so we bumbled along happily. Until one day James rang Robin up. He suggested we put our experience to good use for Clegg and Country. James was adamant. In addition to our experience he gave three superb reasons for standing.

One, Liberal Youth has lots of potential next year. There are good people involved in it who will make it work.

Two, we are bloody good and know what we’re doing.

Three, the current LY chair had explicitly called for new blood in a Lib Dem Voice article. It was this that particularly inspired James’ phone call. “We’re precisely the sort of experienced yet outsider blood the members are looking for”, he wisely pointed out.

And so, quite suddenly, we find ourselves standing for Finance Officer. We hope you could lend us your vote. But for now, we’ll lend you our ears. Do hurl us a Facebook message, or send Robin a tweet, if you’ve got any suggestions or comments. Until then, keep Youthing. Or look at our blog.

Voting in the Liberal Youth elections opens on Friday 3 May and continues until 12 noon on Wednesday 29th May. All candidates for the contested officer positions have been offered a 500 word piece on Liberal Democrat Voice to be published by the opening of voting. You can find out more about the elections and read all the candidates’ manifestos on the Libertine and if you are a member of  Liberal Youth you can ask them questions on their National Liberal Youth Chatbox on Facebook. Discussion also takes place on the #lyelects tag on Twitter. 

* James King and Robin McGhee are standing to be Finance Officer of Liberal Youth