Why did I get involved in politics?

In a word “Iraq”. Even now, looking back, it’s hard to believe I was that trusting of our politicians.

I really believed the news reports in the papers and on TV about Saddam Hussein’s Weapons of Mass Destruction. I took at face value the Ministry of Defence’s “sexed-up” intelligence dossier about scud missiles hitting British bases in Cyprus.

Within months of the cessation of hostilities it became obvious that there were no scuds, no weapons of mass destruction, no nothing to be found in Iraq.

Then we had the Hutton enquiry, followed a few months later by the Butler report. The Great British public had been conned.

Taking the country to war, in my view, is the gravest decision a British Prime Minister can take, but to take us to war based on a false premise? To say it rocked my faith in the British political establishment is understatement.

That is why I got into politics, and the more I learn about politics and politicians the more I understand why the country is slowly but surely going down the toilet. In the main I see that this new breed of “professional” politicians are detached from reality. When you are detached from reality, how can you possibly make intelligent decisions about the community or society you govern?

Later that summer I was horrified by the 7/7 London bombings. I can’t help but wonder what were the victims’ views on the Iraqi invasion – were they supporters of the war or protesters against? Either way, the British public have never been influenced by acts of terrorism.

Anybody familiar with the Provisional IRA 30 year terror campaign referred to, with typical British understatement, as “the troubles” will appreciate this. Like many Britons watching Barack Obama’s election campaign last year I was filled with a desire and hope for, to borrow the phrase, “change we can believe in”.

But what of Britain – who is going to deliver the change we need?

The change Britain can believe in?