Marie Pye

Councillor in Waltham Forest

I became a councillor by mistake. I had worked in the 'backroom' of the party for years. There was a by-election and the leader of my party asked if I would put my name forward. We weren't expected to win the seat, it was more just to show willing. Well I stood, but with what I had learned after running campaigns for the previous 20 years going in to my own campaign I, to much surprise, won.

I'm a full time councillor and Cabinet member* now. The decision to pack my job in wasn't easy, but it sort of made itself. At first I missed the manic lifestyle of full time job, family, council but I'm getting used to the way things are now. Mondays are my day at home, my time to not be a councillor. Although because I live in the ward I represent, the casework tends to find me as soon as I go over the doorstep - and sometimes not even that far.

What is it like being a councillor with a disability? I can only speak as someone with a disability, but I do think it is different for people like me. My mobility goes up and down. Getting out and knocking on doors can wipe me out. Physically it can be very hard going. At first I wasn't sure how other would react to me as the councillor with the disability. I have to lie down frequently and I thought this would draw attention to me - either "what's wrong with that one" or the "oh what a shame, how can I help you".

But to my surprise, I got a very human response and for most there was no issue at all. If I had known it was going to be like this I would have been a councillor 20 years earlier. What I have found is that there are lots of other councillors who either have disabilities or some form of impairment - more than I assumed initially. And they are all out there doing what they do.

There is no financial support for the council to provide adjustments or equipment for me, which they would be if I was an employee, so I try to minimise what I need so there is minimal impact on the council and its resources.

There is no formal assistance for when I need to canvass, it's not like being in work - there is no 'access to work scheme'. I rely on my fellow councillors a lot, and we work things out locally.

Councils need more disabled people. We need to be active in for the benefit of the whole community. The council will (and is legally obliged to) provide much or all of the support a disabled person needs to get involved.

* A council's Cabinet is a group of 10 or so of its councillors and is responsible for taking major day-to-day decisions. Each Cabinet member is responsible for a specific area such as services for young people or town centre regeneration.