I have been quite surprised by the number of candidates that are standing for the elections on May 7th, who don’t even live in the areas they are contesting.

It as if some of the political parties had trouble recruiting and have simply decided to stand paper candidates. I guess all parties are encouraged to do this so that people at least are given the option of voting for their preferred party and don’t so much about the candidate and whether he or she will be actively working and supporting the community.

The newish law that allows candidates to withhold their home address (for security reasons) enables this. I suppose it makes more important that if you have a local candidate who is visible and knocking on doors and delivering leaflets then it is only right they get support for that reason alone.

Pictured here, Cllr David Millar and team in Bartley.