What does North Shropshire mean to us?
Liberal Democrats won a stunning victory in North Shropshire, taking one of the Conservatives' 'so-called' safest seats.
Will Aczel went up to North Shropshire to campaign all day Wednesday and Thursday last week with fellow young people from the South West, here is his take:
"I spoke with many voters on the doorstep who brought such a smile to my face because we agreed what a good MP, and PM, would look like.
A member, local to North Shropshire, and who had little to no experience in campaigning, stopped me in the street and asked if he could help join in. I was over the moon! I explained how we canvass on polling day and did most of the talking at doors. This was easy because polling day questions have clear answers and practically everyone was so friendly, particularly where we were in Oswestry.
There are many different roles in a campaign and different people are better suited to different roles. Some prefer leafleting to canvassing, some prefer clerical work (such as stuffing envelopes), and some prefer to just put a poster up in their window. Any way in which you can contribute to our campaigns locally and nationally would be greatly appreciated.
After meeting Helen Morgan by chance at Wem HQ last Wednesday night, it became very clear to me how she is a lovely, grounded person standing up for her local community. By contrast, some of the other candidates came across as very ingenuine. We need more grassroots people like you to help us by volunteering, standing in elections, joining the party (if you haven't already) or donating.
Let us know how you can help here:
We are now 70% women in parliament, voted for by the public, and we'd love to stand more women candidates here in Exeter too, as well as people of other underrepresented identities and backgrounds.
Overall, this was a positive campaign for which we can all be proud - and fills me with hope going into a second uncertain Winter with regards to COVID-19. Though this time, with vaccinations thanks to the wonderful NHS.
I found this a fantastic experience and I can't stress enough the importance of campaigning for what you believe in - because, together, we can make positive change happen.
If we can come from 3rd to win a Conservative safe seat held for 200 years - we can win anywhere.
Here we are at 7am in Oswestry about to deliver good morning leaflets before a day of chatting with locals.
If you would a more in-depth analysis of how incredible the result was and what this means, I would recommend this video.