Comment | Read Comments (18)

ONE of Lancashire's youngest councillors has hit back at claims that he is too inexperienced to represent the Darwen community.

New For Darwen member Andrew Graham, who won Labour stalwart Dave Smith's seat in the Sunnyhurst ward in last week's council elections, said that everyone has to start somewhere'.

And added that critics should remember that Mr Smith was also in his early 20s when he first won his position as councillor.

The 24-year-old undertaker, who is the youngest councillor in the borough, said: "Some people have mentioned that I am inexperienced and I have read comments on the Lancashire Telegraph website that I don't have enough experience.

"I have quite a lot of involvement in the community. I have been involved with several scout groups in Darwen, Lower Darwen and Bolton. I have worked and lived in Darwen all my life."

Labour councillor Dave Hollings, a longstanding ally of Mr Smith in the Sunnyhurst ward, said his own caseload had increased since Coun Graham's election.

He said: "More people have contacted me with council queries.

"I do not want to be unfair on the lad but he's got a lot to learn. He's got experience of voluntary work in the scouts, but he's not done any council-related work.

"Everyone has to start somewhere but people have taken a punt on him with little information to base it on."

Coun Graham polled 875 votes, 67 more than Mr Smith.

The For Darwen party was the biggest winner in the council election, gained three seats bringing its total up to five. Labour lost four seats and the Conservatives gained one.

Coun Graham, who works for Blackburn Funeral Service, New Wellington Street, Mill Hill, Blackburn, added: "I have plenty of experience of working with young people and with adults because of my job as an undertaker.

"I have worked with a wide variety of people. I have already worked for the council before as a swimming instructor so I understand how it works.

"We all have to start somewhere - David Smith started as a councillor when he was 21, he was young.

"I feel a lot of people are criticising my age, but it doesn't bother me to be honest.

"If I can do something to help people then I have done what I set out to do as a councillor.

"I am looking to see Darwen get some importance back."

4:21pm Friday 9th May 2008

Print

Email this

Comment

Add your comment

Name:
Email: *
Location:
**
	e.g. 123-123
Comment: Please note: All HTML tags will be ignored. Format Text:
By posting a comment, I confirm that I have read and agree to the terms of use. Comments are not moderated but we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention and we may delete inappropriate postings. Please treat other people with respect. You must not post anything that is abusive, indecent, unlawful or defamatory. Remember, you are personally liable for what you post on this site. If you wish to complain about a comment, contact us here.
* Your email address will not be displayed ** To avoid register now or login