Philip Olanipekun, Conservative candidate

OBV Shadowing scheme participant Philip Olanipekun, has been selected as a Conservative party candidate for the 2011 Borough council elections.

Olanipekun, who is a senior operations manager in the security industry from Epson, Surrey , is taking part in the 2010 Parliamentary Shadowing Scheme. He is being mentored by Oliver Letwin, Minister for Government Policy in the Cabinet Office and is one of thirty-one shadows taking part in the scheme.

Olanipekun who says he ‘embraces a set of family and state traditional core Conservative values’, signed-up for the scheme to become more involved in political affairs. Adding that he wants to put his ‘experience of life and professional capabilities’ to good use as an effective political representative.

He says: “The MP Shadowing Scheme has proved to be an invaluable experience in providing a close quarters opportunity to experience the daily demands and commitments of an elected representative while observing constituency work and numerous Select Committee meetings”.

Olanipekun says the experience has enabled him to work on his own political development in the run up to standing as a councillor.

He now wants to make a more formal commitment to helping his community by representing local residents as a councillor.

He said of his selection: "I would like to add to the fine work being undertaken by many BME Councillors and MPs up and down the country, and  help to further redress the balance of minority representation and ensure that my community has a real voice”.

Ashley Burton-Lynch