Paul Gilbert election notes

“I am so proud to be Cheltenham’s prospective Labour Party candidate.

I am told by lots of people that I am a no-hope 100/1 chance, but then there was Norton’s Coin. So until Election night itself I will do all I can to make a difference and to honour the responsibility placed in me as a candidate.

Who am I?

I grew up in Wiltshire, the eldest of three, mum a nurse, dad a mechanical engineer. I went to a comprehensive school and was the first in my family to study for a degree. In 1987 I qualified as a solicitor and a year later I joined C&G. I left ten years later as their most senior lawyer, proud of the company, proud of my role. In 2000 I set up my own business training and coaching lawyers around the word. An international business with a great reputation based in Cheltenham.  I am blessed to have had my life chances and grateful for every day.

What do I stand for?

As a teenager my granddad inspired me with tales of the early Labour movement, I joined the party as a young man. I care passionately that we protect the most vulnerable, that we develop talent wherever it is and that we put back into society if we have been lucky enough to do well. I will soon be 53. This is my time to give back for the people of the town I love.

I have lived and worked here for 25 years, I’m not a politician, but if that 100/1 shot came running in up the hill, I will be the hardest working MP in the country, dedicated every day to making a difference in this town for our people.

Labour is the coat I wear, not the whole man I am. I’ve been an executive at C&G in its heyday, an entrepreneur who has built a business from nothing; I’ve been a governor of Cheltenham Ladies’ College and Vice Chairman of a national charity enabling our poorest citizens to receive free legal advice.

I feel at home with Labour people, but that does not mean we have all the answers or we will always get things right. A little more realism and humility would do all politicians a power of good. However I trust the Labour Party to do the best it can for ordinary working folk, the elderly, the weak and the most vulnerable. I trust the Labour Party to have more policies that rebalance injustices and inequalities. I trust the Labour Party not to pander to the wealthy, the powerful and the insincere. I want the Labour Party to be attractive to all good people and now I want to bring those values and put my skills and experience to work to make a difference for the people of Cheltenham; a local man, a Labour man, working on our local issues.

Getting to know me

I would like to meet as many people as I can. I have promised to meet each of our members in Cheltenham, but I will also speak at schools, community centres and to companies and groups who would like to know more.

Things I care about, big picture 

1. In the race to make everything efficient and cost effective, can we please make sure that those without power, influence and money at least have a stake in how we build our Society? Can we please not risk our NHS, can we please invest in education and life chances, can we please ensure we protect public services which matter to our most vulnerable citizens

2. I am so concerned that we have such poor investment in mental health services. Mental health issues can be devastating to families affected and we simply must do more.

3. The dismantling of legal aid and the assaults on our justice system will leave a mark on our society that should shame those responsible. We mess with access to justice at our peril.

4. Can we please value more our democracy, can we please encourage people from all backgrounds who have life experience to enter politics, can we please all vote?

Things I care about locally 

1. We can all see that the roads are a mess, that health care feels weakened and housing is beyond the reach of so many. However I don’t want to be someone stating the bleeding obvious. An MP that points at a hole in the road and says “look, a hole in the road – how dreadful” is not making a difference. Let’s do something about it. If it was properly a focus, if we genuinely put energy into it, we can change things. We can make a difference.

2. If this town’s MP took up each issue and didn’t put it down until a difference was made, things would get better for the people concerned.  

Why vote for me? 

I have lived and worked here for 25 years, I’m not a politician and I don’t want to be a minister or sit on ego-stroking committees. I just want to be the hardest working MP in the country, dedicated every day to making a difference in this town for our people.

I want to reach out to our children, what are their needs? I want to reach out to our most vulnerable and the people who do not vote. What are their needs? I want to reach out to those who do not feel politics and politicians make a difference, and then to show them that a difference can be made.

I am not going to make cheap shots, make dumb statements, or fool anyone that a picture of me in front of a hospital makes a difference.

What makes a difference is doing things on the ground, a step at a time, away from the PR opportunity.

I just want to be the best MP there has ever been in this town and to put my all skills and experience to work to make a difference for all the people of Cheltenham. Take care

Paul”