It's Your Choice ...

I write this post on the eve of the local goverment elections for the new Wiltshire Council. And I want to stress that it is a new council - and one which bring both opportunities and challenges for us all in the years ahead.

The whole point of the move to 'One Council for Wiltshire' is to allow local communities to have a greater say in their affairs - for people to have more influence on what happens in their locality - and to have a closer contact with the new council through their directly elected councillors on the local area board.

The opportunities are tremendous. We have the chance to place more emphasis on the issues and aspirations that really matter to local people. A real opportunity for local people to engage with local government directly and to help shape the future direction of the community on which they live and work.

But there are also serious challenges if this new council is to be more than a veneer. Some of those elected will undoubtedly be people from either the former district or county councils and I am sure some will be effective council members who are really committed to the people they represent. but I am also concerned that there will also be an expectation of 'business as usual' with an automatic reversion to the ways things operated before - but with an ever increasing centralisation of beaurocracy and control from Trowbridge HQ - the very opposite of what we have been promised.

That is one of the main reasons I have stood as an Independent candidate for Corsham Town. I have had a great campaign over the past few weeks supported by a fantastic team of people with a strong sense of purpose. I have also met so many local people committed to Corsham and with a strong sense of value and respect for the town.

Tomorrows vote is as unpredictable as it is fascinating. I know people choose their vote for an enormous variety of reasons but I hope tomorrows vote will be to elect the person we all feel is best suited for the task ahead. One who shares in our vision for a vibrant community, unhindered by party politics, or by a history of 'how things were done'.

I shall, of course, be at the count on Friday afternoon and will be awaiting the result with a mixture of of excitment and trepidation. I've really enjoyed the last few weeks and look forward to working with you all in the future. Thank you all for your support.

Independents Take to the Streets

On Saturday I spent a useful morning talking to many local residents in the High Street. As well as developing my suntan it was a great opportunity to be able to explain how important this election is for the people of Corsham.


At the ballot box on Thursday we have a real opportunity to ensure Corsham is represented by someone who:

• lives and works in the heart of the town
• is committed to creating a vibrant and sustainable community
• will be an Independent voice on the Area Board
• represents all people in Corsham

I was joined by Allan Bosley who is also an independent candidate standing for election in Corsham Pickward Division - essentialy to the north of Pickwick Road and including most of Katherine Park. We were both very aware that all the other candidates representing the political parties were conspicuous by their absence - perhaps not surprising given the total lack of respect the main political parties have at the moment!

Doorstep deliveries

Over the past two weeks my team and I have knocked on over 2500 doors across Corsham Town Division and I have been very encouraged by people’s reaction to me as their independent candidate for Wiltshire Council. These are the things people are saying on the doorstep:

• I am the only one of the five candidates for the Corsham town Division who both lives and works in the town. This is important and it means I have first hand knowledge of our town 24 hours a day

• There is a real concern about Political Parties as a result of the expenses scandal. It is outrageous to assume that just because they may not have broken the ‘rules’ they are therefore excused from having any moral common sense when it comes to accessing public money.

• People realise that councillors cannot work in isolation. As I have proved in my work on Corsham Town Council things can only be achieved through consensus and by collaborating with my colleagues. Only an Independent can do this without being told what to say and do by the party whip.

• People recognise that there is a real opportunity with the new Wiltshire Council to ensure the voice of our local community is heard clearly and confidently. As an Independent I can do this more easily as I am not bound by party political views.

It is really important that we get everyone we know out to vote on Thursday 4th June. Please help by spreading the word about me and my campaign - and only with your help will I really will be able to make a difference to our community.

On Yer Bike!

What a fantastic Bank Holiday weekend for getting out and about across Corsham. And what better way to do it than by bicycle. I know we don't have much of a cycle network - yet - but the weather was great and it was good to meet so many people across the Town and out to Easton, Westrop and Thingley.

Most people in the Corsham Town Division have now had my Wiltshire Council Election Special which sets out the key local issues for our community and which the new council can actually act on. Fortunately I have not been told to get 'On Yer Bike' yet as these issues do seem to resonate with many local people!

Click on the image on the left for a closer look at what these issues are. I have grouped them broadly according to the themes of the new Council. Share your thoughts and views by clicking on 'Comments' below.

The Party's Over?

This headline comes from last week’s Independent on Sunday which hints at the extraordinary strength of public revolt against the mainstream political party’s over the past few weeks.

Polls suggest that between 40% and 63% of people will not be voting for Con, Lab or Lib Dem which has sent shock waves into the heart of every mainstream politician in the country.

This is clearly a great time for Independents, (whether celebrity or not!) as more and more people are looking for the alternative vote. It is likely that UKIP will benefit – although I question their value in local government. The greens are doing well too and look set to increase their share of the vote.

Fortunately we do not seem to be seeing a wave of BNP support. However, my greatest fear is that many people will simply not bother to vote – voter apathy is the most dangerous thing of all and that is what can let in extremist views as we have seen before in history.

That is why I am getting out there in Corsham Town – knocking on every door in the division to let people know who I am, why an independent vote is so important and how I can represent the people of Corsham effectively. The response so far has been excellent with a real look of relief on resident’s faces when I say I am independent of all party politics – and when they realise I am the local candidate – the only one who lives and works in Corsham Town.