Tom Day

Councillor in Rugby

When I meet people and tell them I’m a councillor people often respond ‘you’re far too young to be a councillor, shouldn’t you be out enjoying yourself?’  

To an extent they are right, being a councillor is a serious commitment, but I can genuinely say that being a Councillor has been a lot of fun and the skills and knowledge you gain from being a councillor can open a lot of doors.

Yes, it is nerve-wracking knocking on doors asking people to vote for you and yes, the council meetings can occasionally be a little monotonous, and it is sometimes hard to keep a straight face when I am in ceremonial attire wearing a cloak and Nelson hat! But when things change and you know it’s because of you, it’s a great feeling.

There aren’t many opportunities for young people which allow you to have a direct say in how millions of pounds are spent, or which give you the ability to make a phone call and get a problem sorted out for a local resident. 

People say it a lot but it is true - all you need to be a good politician is the drive to make things better, and a little confidence to step forward.