A choice between those who work to unite us and those who work to divide us

Last week saw the appointment of Crawley’s first poet laureates. Congratulations to Woodzy and Iffat Rahman, both of whom gave a fantastic account of themselves through their work following the announcement.

Nationally, the role of poet laureates is to bring poetry into public life, capturing significant moments in our national life, occasions which bring us together. In Crawley, they have the daunting task of uniting us through their work.

In my lifetime, I can’t recall a time when society has faced greater attempts to divide us than today. Looking back through history we can certainly see times people have gained power through division and hatred. Yet, whatever the short-term success of those who seek to divide, history also shows us they always fail in the end, with their supporters suffering by their actions.

The contrast today could not be more stark. While the council seeks to create opportunities to bring people together across political beliefs and across demographic divides, some local politicians not only don’t participate, they actively attack such efforts.

As elected representatives, we’re elected to serve our whole community, not just part. To bring people together, not to divide. To work to improve the town, not talk it down. When one party alone rejects hope and offers only despair, whose interests are they really serving?

Attending Labour Conference last week I found an event filled with hope, a hope focused not on polls, but on the good we intend to do for the country. The response to Andy’s speech has been widely praised, including by those who might not politically agree with his plans for rebuilding the UK, as the first time in a long time that any party leader has offered a clear vision for the country and one which they genuinely believe in.

In public life there will always be areas of disagreement, but it’s not too much to hope that politicians will genuinely work to bring the country together, to plan for a better future, and say what they really believe. Yet, unity will only defeat division, if voters are prepared to vote for it.