Reg Copley, Labour candidate for St.Laurence ward
January 24, 2012 Leave a Comment
There are a few for whom the hackneyed expression “needs no introduction” really is true. In Labour circles in south Essex this is the case with Reg Copley.
Here are some questions from me, and some answers from him:
Ward you are candidate for and the ward you reside in
I am contesting St.Laurence ward, where my family and I have lived for 56 years… yes, we paid-off the mortgage some twenty-five years ago.
Have you stood for election before?
Yes, I have stood as a Labour and Cooperative candidate across Southend more that 25 times, winning seats as a Southend County Borough Councillor, a Borough Councillor, a County Councillor, a District Councillor and as a member of the current Southend Unitary Council. St.Luke’s ward, Southend, lost me as one of their elected Councillors in 2004. I served 40 years as an elected member of Southend Councils. Something no other Councillor achieved. I was also Father of the Council, and Mayor 1995-96.
What are your priorities if elected?
To campaign to convince all electors that they really do have a vital part to play in local democracy, and should get involved in getting things done, in league with their elected Councillors, whatever their politics… although Labour would be the best bet.
Your political hero?
Nye Bevan, of course… I was freshly back from serving with the RAF in World War Two (Far East conflict) when I was in the Strangers Gallery in the Commons to witness Nye Bevan becoming the first Secretary of State for Health for the newly formed Labour National Health Service in 1948… a glorious political experience.
Your political zero?
Anyone who challenges democracy in any way, and who encourages racism, sexism, etc, etc. Can’t abide ‘em!
Tell me something about yourself that is not generally known
Having talked about myself, and what I have tried to do, and encouraged others to do for democratic thought and action, I really cannot think of any item of personal political trumpet-blowing that I haven’t informed others about… not that they take any notice of me anyway.
