Daisy Ford has resigned from the Independent Network’s Executive to concentrate on her career after eight months of voluntary involvement. She was the only member of the Executive to not be standing for election this year, meaning that she was able to provide level-headed input and guidance to the Network from an objective perspective. Her insight into the student vote and youth movements was extremely valuable in the run-up to the election.

The Independent Network (IN) is recruiting volunteers to act as local IN conveners to provide support to local independent candidates.

Independent Network (IN) Executive Member, Jim Thornton wishes to gather information from previous parliamentary candidates for a handbook on campaign techniques for independents.

Jim Thornton is writing this to book to encourage others to stand as an independent and help them succeed. Political parties provide comprehensive manuals for their candidates, but independents usually have to conduct their own research on running an effective campaign.

You cannot get your point of view in the papers if you do not do the basics. These include:

• Press releases / Statements / Letters
• Contacting various forms of media - e.g. radio, local, online
• Canvassing / Door Knocking
• Contact details and materials available on a public domain

The major parties maintain lists of candidates that they send to journalists and some of these are published online. However, independents and minor parties can be overlooked.