Lib Dem candidate in Telford & Wrekin Council by-election was spurred to political action by the ‘broken voting system'

The Liberal Democrats candidate in the upcoming Malinslee & Dawley Bank by election is a 28 year old exam invigilator who was spurred to political action by the ‘broken voting system.’

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Patrick Jerome Doody, aged 28, of Withywood Drive, Telford, is a cinema-going film fan with  a keen interest in tabletop games and history which he is studying at university.

He agreed to answer a series of questions which were put to him and all the other candidates in the by election on Thursday, July 2, 2026 by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

When and why did you first get involved in politics?

I first got involved in politics four years ago canvasing for the Liberal Democrats, I had been tired of over a decade of Tory decline and wanted to try and help show there was a different way forward.

Among this were the issues of our broken voting system spurring me to action, where so many votes can be wasted and a candidate with less than 50 per cent of the mandate can represent 100 per cent of the people.

Have you previously (or are you currently) a councillor at parish council level?

No.

Have you held other public positions (organiser, volunteer etc)?

I have not.

Have you previously been a member of any other political party?

I have not, I had considered Labour or the Green Party but ultimately chose the Liberal Democrats as I felt their goals and views most closely aligned with my own.

Do you have any favourite hobbies?

I’m very keen on history, the current subject I’m studying at university! I’m also often found at the cinema as I love films, I also have a keen interest in tabletop games.

What pledges/promises are you making to the electorate?

I promise to help maintain our greenery and help with local event planning. It is incredibly important people in Malinslee and Dawley have places outside of their home they can go to relax and meet others in their community, I want to help facilitate that.

If there was one local issue that you could solve, what would it be, and why?

We have an issue with many people finding themselves homeless in our area, I want to try and work on making sure people in our area don’t have to worry about where they’ll sleep or where their next meal will come from.

If there was one national or international issue that you would could wave a magic wand and solve, what would it be?

Our NHS, the health of our people directly relates to so many issues they face and solid access to healthcare has a large knock on effect.

If you are unsuccessful, will you try again?

As long as I live here and the party will allow it, I will keep trying.

How will you be accessible to the electorate if you are successful?

I’ll set up a dedicated email I’ll check daily and will organise constant times every week to speak to me face to face.

What is your pitch to the voters – what will you tell them on the doorsteps?

I will keep our NHS safe, keep our nature beautiful and keep antisocial behaviour down.

Why is this election important?

We are voting to replace the seat that held the head of our council, in many ways this is a reflection of the will of our people overall and their current feeling.

Only voters in the Malinslee & Dawley Bank ward will be able to take part in the by election. Other by elections for town and parish council seats in other parts of Telford will be happening at the same time.

The candidates are:

• Ben Carter (Labour Party) of Springhill Road, Dawley,
• Telford.
• Patrick Jerome Doody (Liberal Democrats), address in Telford & Wrekin.
• Doug Halsall (Reform UK) address in Telford & Wrekin.
• Jazz Holmes (Green Party), address in Telford & Wrekin.
• Thomas Paul Hoof (Local Conservatives), address in Telford & Wrekin.