Four years ago, I had the incredible honour of being elected as your County Councillor for Coalville North, the first and only Conservative ever to win this seat. Coalville has always been seen as a Labour stronghold, and if I’m honest, even I wasn’t expected to win back then. But I did, overturning the Labour Leader’s majority, and I’ve never taken that responsibility for granted.
From the very beginning, I set out to change what people expect from a local councillor. I didn’t just want to do the job, I wanted to do it differently, and do it better.
I asked myself one simple question: what would I want from my councillor if I were a resident?
And to me, it came down to four key things: accountability, action, hard work, and results.
Accountability
I made it a priority to be transparent and accessible. I launched my own website and built up active social media pages where I post updates every single day, from the work I’m doing behind the scenes to important local information. I answer every email and call personally, and for the most part, I’ve been operating 24/7 to make sure you’re heard and supported.
Action
I made a promise to tackle the state of our roads, and I kept it. Are they perfect? No. But they’re significantly better than they were four years ago. Through sheer persistence, I secured funding for key improvements on Mantle Lane, Forest Road, and the dangerous Ravenstone Crossroads, areas that had been ignored for far too long.
Hard Work
In four years, I haven’t missed a single council meeting. In fact, I’ve often stepped in for colleagues, taking my attendance to an incredible 147%. I’ve reported more road defects than any other councillor in Leicestershire, and we’ve got some great ones. I don’t walk past problems. I take them on. When residents on Highfield Street told me about illegal Sunday work starting at 7am, I was there in my high-vis, stopping it in its tracks. That’s the kind of councillor I am, hands-on, responsive 24/7, and community-focused.
But now, I need your help again.
Every poll suggests the Conservatives will retain a strong majority at County Hall, but in marginal seats like Coalville North, it’s going to be incredibly close. Tactical voting could hand this division back to another party. And if that happens, it will have real consequences for our community.
You see, the decisions that shape our county are made by the Cabinet. If Coalville North is represented by an opposition councillor, they won’t have a seat at that table. They’ll be able to criticise decisions, but they won’t be able to influence them. That means Coalville’s voice could be drowned out.
As your sitting councillor, I already do have a seat at that table. I’m a senior, respected member of the County Council. I’ve been involved in making decisions that affect all of Leicestershire, and I always speak up to make sure Coalville gets its fair share.
By re-electing me on May 1st, you’re keeping that voice, a strong, trusted voice that will continue to fight for you.
So yes, this election is about more than me. It’s about what kind of future we want for Coalville. I believe we deserve better, and I believe we’re only just getting started.
If you put your trust in me again, I’ll continue to be the councillor you can count on, always putting Coalville first, and always keeping us at the front of the queue.
On May 1st #ChooseCraig to keep Coalville winning
