Local elections, Strood Rural Ward, Medway Unitary Authority
I am standing as an independent again (also stood in 2007) for the ward I live in. Last time I came 4th (3 Conservative elected), Labour and Liberal Democrats also put forward candidates as did another independent grouping.
Perhaps my best opportunity for years. I have been a Parish Councillor in part of the ward for 27 years and have been elected unoppossed for a further 4 years.
I do have extensive experience of the former district and also the unitary authority having been a Labour councillor for 13 years until 2000. I used to chair committees such as Planning and Transport as well as Finance, Education and various others. It is more difficult to stand as an independent as resources are more limited and the ward is semi-rural with over 5,500 houses to contact. My aim is leaflet as many as possible, but I wish I had a way of making more personal contact - just not enough time. I have published Facebook and Twitter contacts to see if that will help.
Backward step unfortunately. Despite a lot more work in the area over the past four years and a leaflet delivery to about 99.5% or ward (it is semi-rural) my vote was less and the Labour Party candidates who had not worked in the ward and did not deliver anything at all managed to squeeze me doen to 7th place. In other Medway wards Independents also lost out and failed to make any inroads apart from one ward when ex-Lib Dems stoood as independents against Lib Dems. Poor election for independents in our area and no sign of any breakthrough.
At first glance there are lots of poor showings for Independents around the country. But when you tot up the number of votes in any given area it is usually a significant number of people who have chosen to think independently. I like to think of these as "Quality Votes" people who didn't vote off the colour chart! They are voters who deserve a second chance! Rural areas are tough for independents in terms of getting the message out to the voters, but as more and more of the outlying folk get postal votes, the chance to get the message to them in good time is harder for all candidates. I'd work them hard during the year if you can. It takes time to get over the disappointment and once the campaign is over there is relief followed by one of two other emotions 
or 
Sometimes the latter experience makes us more determined next time. Or you could always use that experience to help the IN as a Convener? You've served your community well and could do so mentoring others?
