Why go into politics? Trinity’s Luke and William explain

William Deacon and Luke Patterson share three things in common: they studied Human, Social and Political Sciences at Cambridge, they work in East Anglia and they are standing for office in the May elections.

Trinity Schools Liaison Officer and Lucy Cavendish alumnus Luke is the Liberal Democrat candidate for Castle Ward in the Cambridge City Council Elections. History & Politics teacher and Trinity alumnus William is the Labour candidate for St Ives South in the Huntingdonshire District Council Elections.

We caught up with them both prior to elections, which take place on 7 May 2026.

Why go into politics?

William: Although it’s a cliché, I want to be in politics because it’s an effective way to help people. Local government has a lot more influence than many people give it credit for. It’s an excellent way to give back to the community.

Luke: I can’t blame people from being switched off politics at the moment. It can often feel overwhelming, too difficult to know where to start, and impossible to see how things can get better. However, more than ever, I feel it is important to get involved, give a voice to those who are excluded from politics, and to stand up for the issues I am passionate about. I care deeply about supporting others and helping my community and believe that politics can be a vehicle for good in this.

What do you want to change?

Luke: Above all, I would love to bring a sense of hope back to politics. Things are tough for a lot of us – the cost of living, health waiting lists, the climate crisis, and conflicts around the world. The City Council isn’t able to solve all of these issues; however, it can work to rebuild trust, hope, and get things done. I love living in the north of the city, which is growing, and we need to ensure that we have the adequate facilities to build communities and bring us all closer together. I am particularly passionate about sports and leisure provision, protecting and enhancing our environment and green spaces, and standing up for our city’s values.

William: I want the electorate to feel heard and to know their representative will work for them no matter the circumstances. Ever-increasing numbers of voters believe our system is completely broken and as a result think our politics cannot help them at all. Of course, one district councillor will never change that, but I want to do my best to prove politics (and politicians!) can help the average voter and our communities.

Was there a specific moment when you decided you wanted to go into politics?

Luke: Growing up in Northern Ireland, politics has always been an ever-present feature in my life. From the school I attended, to the sports that I played, growing up in a divided post-conflict society meant that politics was never too far away. The EU Referendum mobilised me into being much more aware of politics, and the impact that it can have on our lives. I joined a political party and campaigned on and off over the years, however it is only more recently, after moving back to Cambridge, and working with young people from underprivileged and underrepresented backgrounds in my day job, that I decided to take the leap and stand for election.

William: I’ve always known I wanted to be in politics, but I struggled to put it into words for a while. It came into focus for me at a politics conference when I was15. There was a debate about how groups best effect change and I was completely convinced that progress is impossible without your hand on the levers. Protest and pressure groups do essential work, but until someone in elected office agrees with them, we can’t get anything done! Ever since I thought about it in those terms, I’ve known I wanted to be in politics.

How did your time at Cambridge shape your interest in a political life?

William: Studying politics as Cambridge was a joy, but it wasn’t a good preparation for local politics; Hobbes and Marx don’t come up on the doorstep as often as you might expect! The student politics in Trinity has been more relevant. I was Vice President of Trinity College Students’  Union, and the core cycle of listening to the voter, exploring the problem and the feeding back is very similar to what I have seen at the local level.

Luke: Studying Human, Social & Political Sciences, some may argue that I was destined to get involved in politics. However, I would argue, that an academic exploration of politics would likely encourage one to avoid politics altogether! As a student I was JCR President and volunteered in the local community, both of which highlighted to me the wide range of issues facing people in our city. Cambridge is a wonderfully diverse city, and meeting people from all different backgrounds is a highlight of my time in Cambridge.

What has been your experience of politics so far?

William: It’s really rather fun! It introduces you to people you’d never normally meet and gives you a much more comprehensive understanding of your town. What’s most striking is just how small-scale local politics is; you knock on the door of every single voter and can listen to everyone who has something to say. The funniest side of it though has come from being a teacher. The students always look horrified when you knock on their door at the weekend. They also don’t really know what the District Council is. A few of my Year 9s thought I was running to be Prime Minister!

Luke: The number one thing that people say to me on the doorsteps is that it is great to see a young person taking the leap and standing for election. I have really enjoyed meeting residents, getting out and about speaking with people and helping them out with any problems they may have. It has also been wonderful to see a diverse coalition of people coming together to support me, whether that be delivering leaflets, displaying a poster, or chatting to their friends and family about me. This support means a lot to me.