A personal letter to Ellie Chowns following Ilkley visit 28th Jan 2026
Dear Ellie,
Thank you for visiting Ilkley. I had to respond personally.
This ‘Oldie’ was 100% inspired!
Shortly after, I watched Hannah Spencer’s inaugural speech – guess who supporting her 100%?
I then watched the same person on national TV news – real voices, genuine comments – perfect timing.
Finally, we are getting the recognition we thoroughly deserve, even getting positive podcasts from Jeremy Corbyn.
Each of the above separate events was tremendously inspiring for myself and our local team.
The Greens are the only UK party with any chance of ever rebuilding trust in British politics. Whilst it is a formidable challenge, it is one we all enthusiastically accept – our new collective reality.
5 MPs however are not enough. Our SMART goal, next election, must be 195 at the very least!
I now need to figure out how best to ‘Fast Track’ myself onto one of the Green’s Policy Task Groups.
- Ideally – to help develop and build a robust MP mentoring programme, incorporating Hannah Spencer’s ongoing experiences. I come from a working-class background and recognise the critical importance of motivating as many people into politics as possible who have similar life stories.
- Applying appropriate AI technology to create a range of personalised individual programmes.
- Just imagine 200+ Green MPs in parliament confident, competent and ready to go.
Win Win Win – each new MP focusing on their specific interests and subsequently delivering confident and effective speeches.
My boots are now firmly on the ground doing everything possible to win as many seats as possible in Bradford, including standing as a paper candidate for the first time and canvassing for Hannah on her election day victory in Manchester.
I appreciate just how busy you are, but I wanted to provide you a shortish ‘Heads Up’ clearly demonstrating just how vital your talk was to our small Ilkley team. We carefully listened to every word and suggestions. This letter is my first action.
No immediate action is needed right now.
If formal systems are already in place for fast tracking new and potential MP’s, other opportunities will start to arrive at pace as the party moves rapidly forward. My quantitative degree – finance, computing and management (Trent Polytechnic) was enhanced with over 20 years’ work directly in the FE UK sector and some shorter periods overseas, including Zambia and Malawi.
My son lives in Cambourne and I often visit him. I’d really appreciate a brief meet up with you after the May elections. Alternatively, I can visit London after the elections to examine further ongoing HR /AI issues. 
I also follow Mark Carney with keen interest on his post-Davos world tour beginning in January.
Zack’s link up with Carney moving forward, could prove very useful in securing Zack’s wider international recognition, especially at the next general election.
Kindest regards
Ian Linnegan
BA (Hons) PGCE CIPD (Retired)
p.s. I really love this latest podcast undertaken through Simple Politics – your conversation was honest and truthful – just what people want!!
Not sure of the Green message? Listen to her covering every aspect she got tested – there was a lot and decide for yourself.