When Protest becomes Power without Preparation

There’s an article doing the rounds this week that paints a stark picture of what happens when protest turns into power—but without the grounding, the experience, or the intention to truly serve. The piece in Byline Times reports on the growing dysfunction within Reform UK’s newly elected councillors. It’s not written with malice—it’s simply laying out the reality: confusion, missed meetings, infighting, and a fundamental lack of preparation for the job of governing.

But I’m not sharing this to score political points.

I’m sharing it because it says something deeper about the moment we’re in.

There’s a growing frustration with politics-as-usual. A sense among many that their voices aren’t being heard. That promises are made, then broken. That trust has been eroded by years of spin, inaction, or outright lies. And when that happens, it’s no surprise that people start looking elsewhere—sometimes towards parties or candidates who speak plainly or offer an outlet for that pain. 

I get it. I really do.

But what this moment shows us is that protest isn’t a plan. Anger isn’t a strategy. And governing—whether it’s a council or a country requires more than slogans. It demands preparation, integrity, empathy, and a real commitment to the people we’re here to serve.

That’s what local politics should be about.

Turning up. Listening. Making difficult decisions with care. Not chasing headlines but solving problems. And maybe most importantly - remembering that this isn’t about us. It’s about the communities we live in, and the people who put their trust in us.

So where do the Liberal Democrats come in?

I believe we have a responsibility right now. Not just to oppose the chaos and division—but to offer something genuinely different. A politics rooted in fairness, kindness, and competence. A politics that values people over point-scoring. That doesn’t just talk about community—but builds it.
That means:

• Showing up locally, even when there’s no election around the corner
• Listening deeply to people’s pain, not just reacting to it
• Being transparent and human in how we lead
• Making space for solutions that come from the ground up—not just party HQ
• And rebuilding trust, one honest conversation at a time

We are not the two main parties who have left people feeling unheard and betrayed. And we’re not a party of slogans without substance. We’re here to serve—and that means working across differences, leading with courage and compassion, and putting real care into how we show up.

There’s no shame in wanting change. But real change isn’t built on fury—it’s built on connection, collaboration, and care. And that’s the kind of politics I want to be part of.

If that speaks to you too—let’s talk. Let’s connect. Let’s show people what politics can be.