The Most Annoying Thing

Nobody likes losing an election, and in that I am no different from anyone else who has been rejected by their electorate. However, in the aftermath of defeat, some things are more annoying than others. Most people who have the courage to face me start by offering their commiserations, mention the damaging effect of the intervention in the campaign by a would-be candidate who eventually decided not to stand but sought to influence the result by issuing false statements maligning my character and integrity.

But undoubtedly the most annoying thing about this defeat is the sheer number of people who ask: “Who is this woman who beat you? Nobody seems to know anything about her!” It’s one thing to be beaten by a well-known candidate with a well-established record of service to the local community, but it is so much more galling to have been beaten by someone who few people seem to know.

Such is the effectiveness of the Conservative election machine and the fiercely “Independent” Councillor for the neighbouring seat who took two weeks holiday in order to campaign against me. Yes, this may sound like sour grapes, but my intention is to issue a warning to Liberal Democrats – we have to become a lot smarter if we are going to retain our parliamentary and assembly seats in Powys.