OBV graduate road to election story

Waliur Rahman aims to become one of Britain’s youngest Councillors in the upcoming May Bristol Council elections. He is a graduate of OBV’s Councillor Shadowing Scheme and tells the story of his political journey.

Before 2008, I had the same opinions of politicians as many young people do, with the view that all politicians are liars and power hungry. 

I was working in Education for my Local Authority and was heavily involved in voluntary youth and community work from the age of 15 and had been successful in making things happen in schools and my community. 

I then stumbled across OBV at a community centre, where they were promoting political awareness programme for young BME individuals and people like myself to get into politics. 

I was very apprehensive as I was approached by an OBV representative, but the material given, convinced me right way! It showed me why people like myself need to step up and look at the bigger picture if I was to truly make a positive impact to society. To be part of the circles inside the fence, rather than flying the flag outside and hoping someone will take notice.

Once I applied, I was interviewed and selected to go onto the Councillor Shadowing Scheme back in 2008, being paired with Councillor Jon Rogers.  Little did I know at the time as I sat there being briefed, that this would just be the beginning.

Jon and I were matched very well; we were both dynamic individuals with a drive and enthusiasm for making things happen.  I had no idea that politicians could be down to earth, honest people who really cared and Jon was just that.  As I attended various meetings with Jon, I soon realised that I was being represented and decisions were being made by a Council that did not represent me or the rest of my community.  The seed of politics had been planted in me and I began to understand that I had to be part of the system if I wanted to bring about change and in fact politics is actually an extension to the community work that I had been doing all along.

Having had several conversations with Jon, my local Member of Parliament Stephen Williams MP and other Councillors, I felt that I was ready to take up the challenge and scrutiny of being a Councillor.  I had fantastic support from not only Jon but also other party campaigners and Councillors who allowed me to ‘learn the ropes’ quickly, coupled with some of the best training I’ve ever had through OBV.  I felt geared up, confident and ready to take on the challenge.

Jon and Stephen, who were my mentors in politics, they were both very keen for me to run in Ashley Ward, as I had been shadowing Jon there and had learnt about the dynamics of the community.  I was also well acquainted with Ashley Ward through my upbringing in the inner-city and through my role at CEMVO as a Project Manager, having built strong relationships working with community organisations and community leaders in the area.

My campaigning is now well under way, I have been endorsed by almost all the members of the City Council Cabinet, including the Leader of the Council and also Coalition Government Ministers, who have all supported and welcomed me into the party.

As I have a background in Children and Young People’s Services, I have seen firsthand what is working and what clearly does not work in the city.  My first objective if elected is to work with Councillors and officers to develop provisions for young people throughout the city and ensure officers are providing the best possible support that is needed for voluntary community organisations.  I also have a passion for climate change and will be supporting BME communities to reduce their carbon footprint and support Bristol’s bid to become the most environmentally friendly city in the UK.

This has been my political journey so far and one I hope will inspire others to step up and take the lunge into politics, to build a more representative society by being part of the systems that make the decisions, rather than settle for decisions to be made for us.

Main picture: Waliur Rahman