(Originally published on my Yola Blog on 24th November 2011)
Update: I wrote this article during my election campaign last year, and it really does still stand today and for always. We are all one team. Now lets start acting like it. As I said during my campaign last year, I do not and will not tolerate negative campaigning. I have never and will never participate in it.
(To quote a statement from my campaign last year “Sarah-Jane says that it is most important that candidates act in a mature and professional manner throughout this year’s election. Bitching and smearing of candidates’ names is completely unacceptable. Bullying is also 100% intolerable. We should all show that we can represent respectably and with honour.”
I think Lady Thatcher sums it up pretty well “I always cheer up immensely if an attack is particularly wounding because I think, well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left.” If candidates feel they need to smear each other, the only logical explanation is because they can’t refute the opposing candidates policies.
It does not need to be inevitable, and certainly shouldn’t be an inevitable part of the Conservative Future election. We are all on the same side at the end of the day, and this kind of behaviour is just petty and immature.)
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Having been enlightened to some commenting activity occurring on the blog “London Spin”, I am deeply unhappy in the way that some are acting. As Conservative Future, we should be working together in the best interests of the party and its membership. It would appear that some would choose not to compete in a fair and clean environment. I ask you all, both candidates and supporters to keep this election clean. Let us set an example to the rest of the Country inside and outside of the party. If individuals continue to behave in such a manner that is both immature and disrespectful, what hope do we have in gaining the respect of others around us? How will we raise our platform higher to achieve bigger and better things, if some continue to behave in such a way? The renown American author and poet, Mary Angelou once said this “If we lose love and self-respect for each other, this is how we finally die. I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future and renders the present inaccessible.”
How will we regain respect from those who have lost their trust in Politicians, when all they see is infighting, immaturity and a lack of respect for the work of those around you? There is no place for dis-respectfulness in Conservative Future. If we are all to be the future, and this is how some are behaving now, what hope do we have for times to come. “Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men from beasts?” We must learn from history, that this behaviour will not help us to achieve great things.
For those of you aware of the legend of Lao Tzu, you will agree with me that being content with your own merit, and not seeking to wallow in something not rightly yours, will earn you respect. Smearing others names, will loose you trust. I wish to be elected as Deputy Chairman Membership, because I truly believe that I can represent you all, as members of Conservative Future, taking all opinions and ideas into consideration. I believe that everything happens for a reason, everything and everyone has their time, and their place and I believe that this is my time to support YOU. Over the past year, I have worked tirelessly, passionately and considerately. I trebled my branch membership in just five months. I engaged with members who were not active, and helped them to step out onto the platform allowing them to be active, to have their say and allowing them to put their foot through the door of the world of the future. I aim to extend this idea nationally.
I was saddened to hear of Ellie Howard pulling out of the election, as a respectable member of the Kensington, Fulham and Chelsea Branch. Shortly after her announcement, I was contacted by Mr Hunter-Clarke, asking me to pull out of the race , for similar reasons to those which Miss Howard gave for stepping out. I have no intention of doing so, as I feel I am the best person to fulfil this role. Despite having only been a PAID member for nine months, I have long been a supporter and believer of the Conservative Party. My achievements so far show my dedication and passion to the party, and to the membership. In the spirit of Democracy, I believe that members should have the choice of who they want to represent them as National Deputy Chairman Membership, not be given someone. We live in a Liberal Democracy; elections should be free and fair. My campaign team and Ihave not, and will not be party to any name smearing, disrespectful and dishonourable tactics. I ask observers and participants in this election, to stop posting defamatory comments.
I wish all candidates the best of Luck, and I would like to say thank you to everyone who has and is showing me support.
Sarah-Jane Sewell 