About me

My name is Julian Gabriel St.John Ware-Lane, son of Cyril Lancelot Ware-Lane and Primrose Valerie de Lobel.

I was born in Westcliff-on-Sea in November 1959. My father was self-employed at the time selling toys at a market stall that he had – I believe he took pitches at Wickford and Pitsea, possibly other places too. Within a short time after my birth he became a window-cleaner, and then a school caretaker.

I left home at sixteen, went to live with my oldest brother on Canvey Island, and took up employment with Her Majesty’s Customs and Excise.

Since the age of ten or so I have had an interest in politics. This was fostered by lengthy chats with my very politically interested father. Although I had a passing flirtation with the Anti-Nazi League in my late teens, it wasn’t until I turned 36 that I joined my first political party – Labour. I joined my second about a year later – the Cooperative Party. I am still a member of both.

I especially enjoy grass roots activism and am an eager campaigner. I have discovered a facility with the keyboard, although whether I am really any good is not for me to judge.

My principles are based around the concept of equality. I also believe that everyone has good in them, that nurture rather than nature is responsible for most evil deeds, and that all deserve respect. I do not like personality politics, although I accept that this inevitably creeps in to all campaigns.

I do not always practise what I preach – I am as flawed as anyone. I can only offer my aspiration to be good.