Local elections and who should I vote for?

Local elections and who should I vote for?  In our ward, we have quite a choice and it is bewildering knowing who to vote for, even more so with two votes.  I have a cunning plan.

Our candidates are: two Conservative, two Labour, one Liberal, one independent and one from the Green Party.  Now if our existing Councillor was standing, I would have no hesitation in voting for her as she has been excellent.  As she isn’t,  I just don’t know.

This was brought home when we had a visit from a Conservative candidate who was trying his hardest to enlist our support and even trying to have a selfie taken with us (which we declined).  I was most disappointed although he was very keen and enthusiastic with a solid professional background.  He didn’t live in the ward and he seemed to know little about the needs in our community and yet he is standing for election.  Chances are, he will be elected since our Council area is predominantly blue Conservative.

I am always bemused at why party politics have to feature in our local elections.  If someone can explain that to me, please do.

To address my uncertainty about who to vote for,  I have written to the candidates, or rather their agents, and have asked the following questions:

1. 1. 1. 1. Without divulging your home address, where do you live, is it somewhere in the ward?

1. 1. 1. 2. How well do you know the ward and what do you think are the main areas of concern?

1. 1. 1. 3. Why is standing as either an independent or as a member of a political party important to you?

1. 1. 1. 4. How many hours each week do you anticipate working as a Councillor?

1. 1. 1. 5. If elected, what would be your first priority?

1. 1. 1. 6. If you aren’t elected, would you serve the community in any other way?

It seems so many people know little about the candidates they vote for and probably vote along party lines.  I am simply unsure of who will stand up and fight for our village, who would have the gumption to do what is right and, most importantly, have the time to serve us well.  For our existing Councillor, from the moment she was elected she became ‘full time’ as she carried out her duties, sometimes working up to 60 hours a week (I think that’s what she said).

Watch this space…..