YEAR OF THE HUSTINGS - AND NOW THERE ARE MORE....

For someone who is basically terrified of speaking in public, 2009 has been a baptism of fire.
To date, three Parliamentary hustings in Keighley and another in Calder Valley. OK I did not win those paticular battles but it was very good experience in overcoming stage fright.
A friend who is a trade union leader gave me the sound advice many months ago that the only way to beat nerves on these occasions is just to keep on keeping on doing it. And, yes, it gets easier. A bit.
Which is just as well because I will be facing some rigorous questioning at the LRC Conference on November 14 when I will be one of four candidates standing for two places on the CLGA slate for the NEC.
I hope this will all be done in a spirit of friendliness and comradeship and I hope that whoever wins will take the LRC forward and work towards a more cohesive and constructive presence on the NEC.
I'm also standing for re-election as LRC Vice-Chair and I hope those who attend our conference will recognise the hard work I've done in the last 12 months at various locations/meetibgs/campaigns and re-elect me so I can carry on building LRC groups across the country and encouraging activists to get involved. Much remains to be done ......