Young PPCs blog, week 1: Emily Benn, Labour

1st February, 2010 by Emily Benn

Every Monday, Catch21 will be getting an update from some of the young people campaigning to become MPs at the General Election. This week, we’re kicking off with an article by Emily Benn, the 20 year old Labour candidate for East Worthing and Shoreham in Sussex…

I was selected as Labour’s PPC in East Worthing and Shoreham on September 12th 2007 – a day I will never forget! The past two and a half years have been a bit of a roller coaster, politically and personally. I was 17 when I was selected, and had a year left at school taking my A Levels, and in October 2008 I started at Oxford University, where I’m studying History and Politics.
Emily Benn There are occasions over the past 28 months that really stick out in my memory. Firstly, it was a real honour to lay a wreath at three Remembrance Day Services on behalf of the Labour Party. At services in Shoreham, Worthing and Southwick I was privileged enough to meet and talk to some of our ex-servicemen and women, along with members of the St John Ambulance. It is a very important day, and I am proud to have played a part in services to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

I have very much enjoyed going into schools and sixth forms in the constituency, and outside, to talk to students about their thoughts and experiences. I’m lucky to have had the chance to speak to school councils, sixth formers and at school prizegivings (a daunting experience, considering I was the same age as some of the prizewinners!). Education is one of my biggest political priorities, and I am passionate about creating a society where young people are able to fulfil their potential – too often talent is wasted, and opportunities are missed. I hope that, as Labour has proposed, every young person will be guaranteed an apprenticeship, training or a place to study at school or college up to 18.

There are many pressures involved in being a PPC – not least the balancing act we all have to play between our campaign and the rest of our lives. While my position cannot be a full time job, and is completely unpaid, it is my passion – and I spend as much time as possible on it, while still fulfilling my obligations at University, including trying to write nearly two essays a week, which is tough! There are things in Oxford I have had to miss out on, and many friends I haven’t been able to see, but it’s a sacrifice I am more than happy to make to fulfil my responsibility to the Labour Party and my Constituency. It is also a financial sacrifice, as lots of the cost of travel and the campaign are borne personally by me and a few members of my constituency party, who are investing a great deal. We are constantly trying to raise money to be able to run an effective campaign, which isn’t easy. During term time, the commute is three and a half hours each way, and as I’m in the constituency around twice a week that’s quite a lot of time taken up on coaches and trains!

Tags: Labour, PPC