Jill Skalla selected for Colchester

This is how Jill described herself on the official blog for the open primary:

"I was born in Essex, am married to Bernard and mother to Sam 14 and Louisa 12. I have been an active Conservative since campaigning in the second general election of 1974. I have worked in general lections, by-elections and stood in a local election.

After working as a Cost Analyst for the Daily Mail Group I moved to National Children’s Homes as Head of Operations. Through building a strong team and introducing sensible procedures we achieved savings of £1million, enabling many projects to continue. Besides working in a national children’s charity, I am a school governor and for over 7 years worked in a voluntary capacity as a Mental Health Act Manager in open and secure units, helping adults with learning difficulties.

I believe I am the best candidate for Colchester bringing experience, energy and a natural integrity. I believe we must support those who save for their future, those who want a sound education for their children and those who need the NHS. I am committed to reducing the states role, cutting wasteful bureaucracy and introducing grammar style streaming. I will work passionately to become the face of Colchester and win Colchester back for the Conservatives."

Comments

[Tim Aker]

"I am committed to reducing the states role, cutting wasteful bureaucracy and introducing grammar style streaming."

Excellent! A candidate with her own mind and real conservative values. Good luck Jill.

[Rachel Joyce]

I've met Jill a number of times and she is a very down to earth, sensible and lovely person. Well done Jill.

[Justin Hinchcliffe]

Well done Jill - a bigger prize than the GLA, no? Justin

[Dave]

I have never met Jill and know nothing about her.

[malcolm]

It's going to be tough in Colchester. Bob Russell is adept at self promotion but is also an assiduous constituency MP and is well 'dug in'. Good luck 'though Jill you sound great, hopefully you'll be able to flay the Lib Dems on National issues.

[Toryboy]

Haven't met Jill but i'm sure shes a great candidate. Look forward to helping her take the seat off that horrible Bob Russell since i'm in essex uni cf and one of our main priorities is to win back the seat of colchester. Congratulations once again

[Camulodonum]

The feedback from some Colchester residents who attended the open primary last night is that it was Jill's sincerity, her life experiences and her team building skills that swung it.

[SimpleTory]

Phew!
This will help the 50% campaign - it's been a lean year so far.
The more women the better!
Well done Jill!!!

[Henry Lamprecht]

Colchester picked a fantastic candidate. Jill is sincere, hard working, comitted, compassionate and a lady with firmly held beliefs.

I am slightly jelous of her new agent... I was her last agent when she stood for Enfield Council and she is a brilliant candidate to work with.

I have got a message for Bob Russel too: She might look nice and friendly but beware, she'll handbag you out of the way!

I can see it now:

Colchester (Con gain)

[Andrew Bradley]

Keep working on the speling Henry as all agunts need to do.

[Pat Guide]

Jill Skalla has a mountain to climb. The Colchester Conservativesare are a fairly disorganised bunch. They should have turned over Bob Russell during the last election but Conservative never looked up for the fight. The Colchester Convervatives haven't really gone after the so called working class areas of Colchester like St Andrews Ward (dominated by Labour) and St Annes Ward (dominated by Lib Dems). Unfortunatly for Miss Skalla if she really wants to win in Colchester she will have to get her hands dirty and start cultivating these areas before the BNP get a foothold. the impression from the local Conservative councillors is that they don't want to know about areas like St Andrews or St Annes.

[David T Breaker]

Jill now has a website at www.jillskalla.com