Wilford L. Augustus is a UK local government Conservative Party politician and entrepreneur, currently serving on Chesham Town Council in Buckinghamshire, England. Of Caribbean heritage, Wilford was born in Belize, a Caribbean Community and Commonwealth country – formerly British Honduras – on 7 October 1975. Additionally, Wilford has had the privilege of living and working in Latin America and Scandinavia. As a well-travelled professional, Wilford has developed an extensive network of business connections and friendships around the world.
As a boy, living on the shores of Western Caribbean, Wilford says, ‘Back then we were brought up to believe in the values of the Commonwealth, and in our historical ties with Britain’. The latter being of particular importance to Wilford, as it was the deployment of HMS Ark Royal in 1972 to Belize, the then Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier and British Forces In Belize that deterred Guatemala in their tracks from invading the country in the 70's and thereafter.
Without Britain’s resolve to protect Belize, as demonstrated in the Falklands Conflict, the result of invasion would have been catastrophic; so for Wilford, there is pride in remaining British! There’s no agonising over our colonial past or resentment for historical wrongs, as his position is, ‘We live in the here and now, and it’s up to us as individuals to make the most of it. I will not sit around moaning about the past, about slavery or about racism, when there are so many wonderful opportunities in the present for us all in this great nation. Furthermore, Wilford believes that it is only the Conservative Party which offers a successful vehicle to upward social mobility without the need to indulge in divisive ethnocentric arguments.’
As an entrepreneur with international experience — now multilingual in English (native), Spanish (fluent), Norwegian (elementary) — and versed in cross-cultural engagements, Wilford has accumulated a wealth of experience in corporate communications, public affairs, and international trade and FDI promotion, with extensive experience in public speaking and corporate event management — organising, hosting and moderating panel discussions with business leaders and policymakers from around the world, especially with those who promote international trade, foreign direct investment and ESG investment strategies.
Describing himself as a 'fiscal, liberal and compassionate conservative', Wilford says that his principles are informed by his profound belief in the value and diversity of the Commonwealth, his experience living overseas and engaging with the world, and the rich tapestry of opportunities presented to us all in the United Kingdom.
As a pro Commonwealth, pro American, pro European, patriotic internationalist and free trader, Wilford voted to leave the European Union on the grounds that he strongly believes in the sovereignty of the nation state. Furthermore, he believes that the undue overreach of supranational organisations like the EU, degrades democracy by reducing national parliaments into states of pantomime, with foreign directives being handed out by unaccountable bodies and irremovable bureaucrats the local electorate do not know and cannot remove at the ballot box. Ultimately, Wilford believes that whatever the cost of Brexit, this proud, productive, prosperous nation is perfectly capable of standing on its own two feet in the wider world, and he is fully committed to doing his bit to contribute to the success of his local community and the country as a whole.
Wilford moved to Chesham from the City of Westminster in 2017, but still remains engaged in Bayswater where he first cut his political teeth. He got involved in local politics in Chesham in 2019, and by May 2021, was elected to his role as Councillor by the people of St Mary's ward, and later as Deputy Mayor in May 2022-23 and Mayor of Chesham 2023-24 by his colleagues on the Town Council.
As Councillor and Mayor 2023-24, Wilford is fully committed to supporting everyone in his ward and town, regardless of their political affiliations or beliefs and is fully committed to promoting Chesham. ‘At the end of the day, I’m here to serve the whole community. That’s what I promised to do, that’s what I am doing, and that’s what I will continue to do.’
Approachable, friendly and direct, Wilford describes himself as a ‘people person’, perfectly at home chatting to people from all walks of life, socio-economic status or cultural backgrounds, treating them all with respect. He says, ‘I get on well with people in general, I’m comfortable with most people, I like getting to know new people, and I enjoy engaging in deep business, geopolitical and philosophical conversations with them.’ Nonetheless, this proactive, energetic and charismatic politician is no pushover; being unafraid to speak his mind and to advocate strongly his beliefs and for his community.
For a politician whose aspirations lie both in his local community and on the world stage, Wilford is a local man dedicated to the people of his ward and town, yet keenly aware of the bigger geopolitical picture, and how that impacts the diverse and inclusive community he’s so proud to serve in Chesham. Wilford says, 'self-reliance, self-pride, and civic pride' are the things he was brought up to respect and value, and this is what he reflects in his work as a politician in his local community today.
By Nick Jordan
Nick Jordan Media
https://www.nickjordanmedia.com/
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