I am going to use my column to write to our recently elected 66 councillors, some returning but the majority new:
Dear newly elected Newham Councillors,
As a former Newham Councillor for Beckton, I wanted to write to all 66 of you, from all parties, to share some advice and to emphasise the responsibility that you have taken on.
Firstly, congratulations, I know that for many of you the election was the finish line after a long campaign.
I hope that putting yourself forward for election was not a decision taken lightly, it’s a big job, taking up lots of time and with lots of demand of you.
To be frank, it’s not a job title that naturally wins you friends!
You are now a politician, a label that might not sit comfortably for some of you, but this is the time to decide what kind of politician you will be.
My first piece of advice - do not waste your opportunity or your time.
Four years is shorter than you think, and the time will go faster than you think is possible.
Being a councillor is an extraordinary privilege. People will trust you, rely on you and turn to you for help just because the word ‘councillor’ is before your name.
Residents will share their lives with you, they’ll show you their private correspondence, trust you with intimate details like their finances, and their medical history.
I was always honoured and struck by that trust. Be aware of it, don’t treat it lightly.
Secondly, people will notice if you are not accessible, if you are not delivering.
I meet constituents again and again who I have helped over the years, something that I am incredibly proud of.
These interactions serve as my check that I am doing my job as I should be.
Something that might be surprising is that members of Parliament have no obligation to do any casework at all, in fact there’s a Tory MP who still doesn’t even have an email address.
This is not my approach. If I can help, I always will.
Like me, you have a responsibility and a duty to our community. Especially now, when we must all work to rebuild voters’ trust.
I hope you will all live up to that call.
- James Asser is Labour MP for West Ham and Beckton.
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