.comment-link {margin-left:.6em;}

Monday, May 04, 2009

Anniversaries

Today is the 30th Anniversary of Margaret Thatcher being elected Prime Minister. It was the first General Election I was able to vote in and I stayed up for 48 hours to watch the results and take in the full impact of the outcome. I was devastated.

I have only just realised that yesterday marked 25 years since I was first elected to public office. I took the Cwmbwrla ward on Swansea City Council off Labour with a majority of 1,108 and 67% of the vote. It was the first time that a Liberal had been elected in the Swansea East constituency for over 50 years.

I sat on the Council as the sole Liberal for two years and had the time of my life making my mark and fighting for the people who had elected me. When I stood for re-election in 1988 my majority was 1,650, this time in a three way contest. I had 72% of the vote and I led a group of six, soon to be seven after a by-election a month later.

The Liberal Democrats now lead the Council with a group of 24 Councillors.
# posted by Peter Black : 8:28 AM
Comments:
Credit were credit is due, well done.

Excuse my ignorance - were you ever an SDP candidate then? Or a liberal one?
# posted by Blogger Sweet and Tender Hooligan : 12:11 PM
 
Hey Peter, My 25th anniversary came up yesterday as well!
# posted by Blogger Onlinefocus Team : 1:20 PM
 
What happened to Alex Bosman who was elected to West Glam CC with you in 1985? I little known fact is that Alex was one of my part time students on a one year A level History course I used to teach at Swansea College. He ended up with an a grade A even though it was a traditional A level course designed to be taught over 2 years. I've often wondered what happened to him.
# posted by Anonymous Jeff Jones : 2:06 PM
 
Alex is living in Huddersfield and working for the Crown Prosecution Service. He still comes back to Swansea when he can.
# posted by Blogger Peter Black : 2:43 PM
 
Love the penguin! So much nicer than a dodgy bar chart. More penguins please!
# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 3:24 PM
 
what a record! If you dont mind me saying you look quite handsome indeed in this early photo!!
# posted by Anonymous riddlerwales : 7:21 PM
 
Peter, I salute you - fellow 80s Lib Dem breakthrough.

I've just been abolished (thanks Blears) after 26 years - was never a sole member, but had experience in a group of 2!!

Happy days.
# posted by Anonymous crewegwyn : 8:00 PM
 
Post a Comment



<< Home

This page is powered by Blogger. Isn't yours?