Election 2024: We quiz the Browne Jacobson partner standing in Lichfield

Browne Jacobson finance head Paul Ray is contesting Lichfield for the Liberal Democrats against Michael Fabricant. We asked him for his views on law and politics

Tell us a little bit about your background and how you got into politics.

I got into politics when I was at uni. I joined the SDP (that was a while ago!!) and that party then became the Lib Dems. And I remember hosting an event at uni when my political hero attended and spoke; Shirley Williams. She had great values, was tough and a great communicator.

What’s the situation with Browne Jacobson? Have you taken time off or are you balancing your work with campaigning?

I am also a councillor on Lichfield District Council and leader of the Lib Dem group which holds the balance of power. I have been a councillor for eight years and have run in previous general elections. Browne Jacobson have always been very supportive and a core value of the firm is to make a contribution to society and our communities whether that is as a business or as individuals.

What does your week entail at the moment?

I have my day job to do as well!! But the evenings and weekends are certainly very busy campaigning. So I do not have much spare time… and my wife and family are certainly very tolerant!

You’ve previously stood for the Lib Dems in Lichfield in 2015, 2017 and 2019, coming fourth, third and third. What would success look like for you on the morning of 5 July? And with the best will in the world, given that you are unlikely to win, what’s the motivation for putting yourself through the process of running?

My dream has always been to become an MP… after a lawyer of course! But you are right it is unlikely that I will be elected but I passionately believe that politics can deliver real change (and we desperately need that) and in the Lib Dem values of fairness, community and being outward-looking internationally.

In Lichfield I will be getting disaffected Conservatives to come across and vote for me. So on 5 July I will be delighted if I have done my bit to ensure we no longer have a Conservative MP. Also during the campaign I am putting out a positive vision for the future of our country and community in Lichfield. So beating Reform and their negative and divisive outlook is another of my key objectives.

What can politicians do to make sure English law remains successful as a global export?

Interesting question. I answer that from two points of view.

1. The legal industry has a big role in supporting UK businesses and we have to rebuild the UK economy – and fundamentally we cannot do that unless we fix our broken relationship with Europe.

2. The legal industry is an important export of the UK. We should be proud of that and we have to continue to invest in the legal industry by, for example, investing in training so we are bringing forward the best people from across all society and developing the new legal technologies for the future. That applies to other industries (as well as legal) and government has an important role in helping business plan and invest for the future for example by re-focusing the apprenticeship programme and supporting business as it invests in the creative, green, digital etc skills of the future.

What’s more stressful – closing a deal or campaigning?

Both can take it out of you but a similarity is the amount of head space they take up as you are planning, thinking through issues, keeping the team fully focused etc. So if you’ve got the two going on at the same time…!!!

Was there anything you had to go without when you were growing up?

Oh dear Rishi. He’s a clever guy but he does lack political judgement and the ability to connect.

I was fortunate and had a comfortable childhood and as a Liberal Democrat I campaign for fairness in our society and wish every young person can be brought up in a similarly comfortable environment as I was able to.