MICHAEL SPARLING, 26, lives near Tavistock, West Devon, alongside his family who have lived in this area for four generations.
One of the main reasons Michael joined the Labour Party was his belief in the guiding principles of fairness and equality and having recently lived in Manchester and London, Michael has seen at first hand the benefits local Labour representation brings.
He has an Honours degree in Philosophy and Politics, was elected to the executive National Committee of the British Universities North America Club, has worked for a Labour Member of Parliament and is working towards a postgraduate Masters degree in politics, specialising in global development and middle eastern affairs.
Official Labour Party Candidate for Devon County Council local government elections June 2009
(Tavistock Division)
Official Torridge & West Devon CLP delegate to Labour Conference, Brighton, 2009
WEll, just a couple of days left now.
It is so beautiful here in West Devon right now. A little more ugly is that person or persons unknown have been going around taking down all my billboards. I've encountered some outright hostility.
Not pleasant and quite amateur and pathetic. Thank goodness Darren Jones, the PPC, is coming to help deliver leaflets tonight. I'd rather not do it alone!
As I've mentioned before, however, it's encouraging to acknowledge the core support that still prevails, even in Torridge and West Devon.