All the councillors up for this ‘get me out of here’ are special because they are giving up their time to help make young people get more interested in democracy. Every thing we do is political and making sure that everyone has a voice is important to me. It is shocking enough tregarding the amount of people who do not bother to vote. Every vote is important and really does count.

Absolutely the crucial question to an elected person, this! First, if you mean in a local election, you would have to live in Nortgate Ward and to be sure that i had done some good things for your area. if you mean ‘Get me out of here…’, well, here goes.
First, I am the oldest contestant – perhaps not an advantage, until you think that I have more experience than any one else! I’ve been a councillor for thirty years so I know how things work and how to get things done. Second, I’m quite lively and energetic still although I’m quite old (I still ride a bike, for instance). I help look after my grandchildren who are 10 and 9 and live in Darlington ( I have a grand-daughter who lives in Kendal as well) so they keep me up to date.
Third, I actively like being around young people and I often find myself sticking up for ‘the youth of today’ when older people are critical – and I do think young people get a lot of negative publicity so I like to see good news stories in the Echo and other places. I worry about education and employment and I also think lots of children and young people are very talented, I supported the help given to the Forum when it was threatened with closure because i’ve seen (and heard!) all the good stuff which goes on there. So i think my positive attitude makes me special

I would like you to vote for me because I really do want to make a difference to the lives of young people who live in Darlington. Also if you wanted to talk to me I would really listen and if you want an answer I would be honest .