Josh Fenton-Glynn is Labour’s candidate in the General Election. We asked him to introduce himself.

Childhood?

I was born and brought up here in the Calder Valley.

Family background?

My mother did a great job in bringing up my two brothers and me. I owe her a lot.

Any inspirational teachers at school?

My secondary school was Calder High in Mytholmroyd. I struggled with dyslexia and had some exceptional teachers who went the extra mile to help me. Thanks to them I got the A levels I needed to go to Liverpool University.

Jobs?

I’ve been lucky to work for organisations trying to make a difference. I worked for Oxfam, for the Child Poverty Action Group and then with a trade union for five years. My current job is in the health sector, working with doctors.

Mind you, I also worked one Christmas for a supermarket where I had to dress up in a caterpillar costume. That wasn’t great! Maybe you shouldn’t put that in!

Work took you to London briefly, but then you came back to the Calder Valley. What drew you back?

Yes, I lived in London for a short time, but then moved back. I’ve lived in Brighouse and Hebden Bridge. It’s great to be back. People here are so much friendlier, we’ve got a much stronger sense of community.

Your life changed a year or so back, didn’t it!

Our daughter is now fifteen months. Every parent knows how your life changes when you have a child. It gives you a sense of perspective on the world. It’s made me more determined than ever to try to make our country and our world a better place, so that my daughter’s generation can grow up secure and confident.

I know you’re a Calderdale local councillor. Is there nothing else to life apart from politics?

Well, obviously if we’re to have a healthy democracy, we need people prepared to put themselves forward as representatives. I always urge people to use their vote. But we live in beautiful countryside. I’ve recently started fell-running. Earlier this year I ran the Wadsworth Trog, an epic twenty mile moorland odyssey – and actually enjoyed it!

So why Labour?

I believe in Labour’s fundamental principles, of working together to build better, more caring communities and a better and more equal society. The last ten years have seen growing poverty while a very small number of people have got extremely rich. I don’t think this is makes for a happier society. We need to look out for each other.