About me: Councillor Anthony (John) Barnes

I was elected councillor for Ticehurst in 1997, three years after I moved to the area with my family. I am experienced in local politics, having served on Kent County Council (1973–89) and Greenwich Borough Council (1968–73).

But how did I get here?

I joined the Young Conservatives at university and became PA to Ian Fraser MP in the 1959 General Election. Subsequently I was active in student politics in Cambridge, nationally and internationally.

I stood for Parliament, contesting the safe Labour seat Walsall North in 1964, 1966 and 1970. I was indirectly elected as an Alderman on Greenwich Borough Council in 1968.

In 1973, I was elected as a county councillor in Kent.

My community

My division has some of the most beautiful villages in Britain with some fine churches and many historical buildings. The communities I serve are lively, each of them with a very different character. They are served by some excellent schools.

The High Weald is an area of outstanding natural beauty and a historically important landscape. It provides excellent walking. As a keen birdwatcher, I am glad to be in a county with some very important habitats for birds.

My home life

I am married with three married children and nine grandchildren.

My spare time and other responsibilities

I recently retired as a teacher of government at the LSE (1964–2003) and before that I taught History at Cambridge (1961–4). I have chaired the Bexhill and Rother Primary Care Trust since 2001 and I also chair the Bexhill and Battle Conservative Association. I am a trustee of the Etchingham Under-Fives.

Writing is a spare time occupation but in addition I enjoy classical music, visiting historical buildings and I’m an avid reader.

Although I’m very much an ex-cricketer, I do try to watch as much as I can.

I also maintain my own website, barneshistorian.com

Find out about my politics and how I represent the people of Rother North West