I didn’t want to be the person who is always moaning about the way life is, I wanted to be the person who did something about it!

My party was really supportive, so it wasn’t hard, just terrifying.

You have a pre-selection “interview” to make sure you’re suitable, then you have to give a 5 minute talk followed by 5 minutes of answering questions in front of the branch members of the area you want to stand in.

Speaking in front of the branch members and answering questions. By this stage, I really wanted it, so that made it even more nerve-wracking.

I think this is a skill that you can only really gain by experience. During this part, fortunately it’s a friendly audience, which helps.

The local Labour party and particularly my branch (which included my predecessor, my campaign organiser and 3 City Councillors). They encouraged, supported and answered questions.

I loved canvassing. Meeting such a wide variety of people and hearing so many views and opinions. If someone says they’ll vote for you after a chat, it’s an amazing feeling.

Election day itself, it’s such a long day and exhausting. Then the count, you don’t quite realise how invested you’ve become until that point. Then you realise that if you lose, you’ll probably cry!

I don’t think there’s anything.

I was lucky enough to get elected. I’d like to help those who need it the most in my communities.

I honestly don’t know how to answer, I’m in a group of 7 Labour County Councillors and 6 of us are women!