Top tips - getting selected

Observing lots of selection meetings, I was incredibly impressed by one candidate who had taken the trouble to find out a couple of locally specific statistics eg what proportion of each ward lived in social housing and therefore how important an issue it was locally. It gave her speech real credibility. (LGC member)

• What's your track record in campaigning? The party members who turn up to the selection meeting are likely to be the core activists who do the most campaigning, and being able to tell a good story on your track record and have some good ideas about how you can help them do this locally will go down well with them.
• What other life experience do you have that will enrich your work as a Labour councillor? This could be gained through your work, your voluntary activities, any community responsibilities such as being active in your faith group or residents' association, and from your family or caring responsibilities - anything that has given you skills and experience that will help you be a better councillor.

• Prepare your speech in advance. Think particularly hard about your opening line and closing line. A good opening line will help capture the audience's attention and a strong closing line will be remembered.
• Remember the ward is likely to hear lots of speeches in a short space of time - focus in on a few key messages that you want them to remember, not a complex argument.
  One way to do this is: "say what you're going to say, say it, then say what you've said" - ie have a clear introduction, make your few key points, then recap to remind the audience what you want them to remember.
• Practice giving your speech by speaking it out loud and timing it - you'll be surprised how quickly your time will go. Ideally practice in front of friends or family and ask for feedback.
• Try and practice enough so that you don't have to read the speech at the meeting - have it with you as a reminder or put the key points down on prompt cards to refer to.
• Think about whether you want to stand or sit to give your speech - your voice will carry better if you stand and it may give you more authority and confidence, but if the meeting is small and informal you may feel more comfortable sitting down and making it more of a conversation.
  Remember you are among friends and don't forget to smile, however nervous you are feeling!
• Think about the questions you may be asked in advance. The preparation you do for getting short-listed and for your speech will help with questions too. The ward will be asking the same questions of all the candidates in line with equal opportunities guidelines, so don't be thrown if you think you've already answered one question, but use it as an opportunity to expand or emphasise your key points again.