Coulsdon Liberal Democrats Liberal Democrat candidate Richard Howard explains his journey from a career in Army bomb disposal, to standing as a councillor for Old Coulsdon in the local elections on <strong>May</strong> 3rd. People often ask me what makes you choose to do bomb disposal and the answer is that you don’t, it chooses you. Following Sandhurst, I was selected for training as an Ammunition Technical Officer (ATO). At the end of a 16-month course covering every aspect of ammunition management, you’re taught how to dispose of unexploded ordnance. Everyone who trains as an ATO knows that this could be something you do, but whether you can do it is another matter. What you need to do this is not what most people think. Sure, a steady nerve and degree of manual dexterity are necessary, but the most difficult part of any task was what we called ‘threat assessment’. This was the real skill; working out exactly what you were facing before you had to walk up to it. I managed to pass the Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD) phase and was posted to 11 Explosive Ordnance Regiment, to command the detachment in Colchester. I spent most of my career in 11 EOD Regiment, qualifying as a ‘High Threat’ IEDD operator and completing four operational tours: in Iraq, Afghanistan and twice in Northern Ireland. It was a hugely rewarding time and I really loved what I did, but there were also times of sadness. I lost close friends and colleagues, with others suffering life changing injuries. As I said before, you don’t really choose this way of life, but I was glad that it chose me. I met some of most amazing people and had some incredible experiences. I wouldn’t give these up for anything in the world. So how does all this all this bring me to standing for Croydon Council here in Coulsdon? When I returned from Iraq in 2007 having seen some fairly horrendous things, I went to the supermarket and was suddenly overcome with resentment and anger at the people there. How can they be just getting on with their everyday lives? Don’t they know what is happening out there? It was a fairly dark time for me but eventually I was able to put it all in context and it really made me appreciate the freedoms we enjoy in this country. In the Army, I had to remain apolitical but always upheld strong liberal values. I am a great believer in freedom, not just the freedom to go about your daily lives, but also the freedom to pursue whatever goals, dreams and aspirations you have. However, the Conservatives have turned their backs on liberalism, pursuing a set of policies that will trap a great many people into a life not of their own choosing, but one enslaved by poverty, ill-health and poor education. Labour too have abandoned their liberal principles, moving towards a society dominated by the state, imposing its will on every aspect of our lives and the economy. I realised after the last general election that I could either sit around complaining about the state of politics; or do something about it. So, I did something about it and joined the Liberal Democrats, the only party committed to building both a stronger economy and a fairer society. When I was asked if I would consider standing for Croydon Council, I knew it was something I had to do. The motto of Sandhurst is ‘Serve to Lead’ and this something I truly believed in throughout my Army career. My first loyalty was always to the soldiers that I had the privilege to command. They trusted in me to make the right decisions and I never forgot that it was me that served them, not the other way around. One of the best pieces of advice I received whilst serving was when someone once said: “Remember that at the end of your pen, is a soldier.” What they meant was that the decisions you take have a real impact on real people’s lives. I sometimes think that those currently sitting on Croydon Council forget this. Too many issues are kicked around like a political football, trying to score points instead making the right decisions. I hope to make a real difference if elected on <strong>May</strong> 3rd. We need a strong liberal voice on Croydon Council with the integrity to do the right thing, and the leadership to do the thing right. 8 Log into www.cr5.co.uk your local community website!
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