Samuel Flewett

I am choosing this role as my first preference for two main reasons. Firstly because I live in Livingston where we need a sub branch but don't yet have one, and secondly because my political experience in a secondary urban area is likely to be applicable to this role. Looking towards Holyrood, I believe that we must provide an alternative to the SNP/Labour duopoly, listening to the concerns of our neighbours in towns, villages and cities, and present solutions which are both credible and ethically sound. Reform UK is rising in the polls, especially in regional and outer suburban zones. By strengthening local Party structures, we can play a leading role in ensuring that they will not pass!

I have been a left wing activist since my university days in Aotearoa/NZ and Australia, and was branch convenor during 2020 for the local branch of the current governing party of Chile (at a time when they were in opposition). Early on I was Involved in SWP type organizations, however over the years I have come to the conclusion that a more pluralistic ideological basis is necessary in order to present effective solutions to the complex problems affecting our world. As branch convenor in the town of Concón, I experienced first hand some of the challenges of working in an area where left politics were considered "atypical", and had the satisfaction of being part of the team that got our first councillor elected.