The political parties will have decided whom their candidates are for the forthcoming local elections. From now until the elections in May we can expect a steady drip of political literature through our letter boxes, unless we live in a 'safe' seat in which case it is likely nothing will be delivered until April which is election address time.
It disappoints me that people vote at local elections for parties rather than individuals and that is why I applaud individuals prepared to stand as independents. Sadly, national politics rather than local issues determine overwhelmingly voting behaviour in local elections.
The election in the Borough of Tunbridge Wells should be interesting as there are a number of marginal seats.
Southborough & High Brooms is being defended by the Conservatives. Has 2 Conservative and 1 Labour councillor. This is a seat Labour might have been expected to win had it not been for a stunning Conservative gain last year in a by-election for Southborough Town Council. Local factors may well play a part, as there is vigorous opposition to plans to develop land and build a supermarket.
St John's has 2 Conservative and 1 Liberal Democrat councillor. The seat is being defended by the Conservatives, who won a seat from the Liberal Democrats last year.
Pembury also has 2 Conservatives and 1 Liberal Democrat councillor. The seat is being defended by the Conservatives who had a good result last May which made up for an earlier defeat to the Liberal Democrats in a by-election.
Broadwater is being defended by the Conservatives. The other councillor for the ward, a Liberal Democrat, died recently and it is possible that a by-election could be held, although one would hope that a by-election is not called and that both seats are contested in May.
Benenden & Cranbrook has 2 Conservative and 1 Liberal Democrat councillor. Should be a Conservative hold in May.
Rusthall. UKIP won a seat from the Conservatives last May. This year the defending Conservative councillor is also Leader of the Council. The Liberal Democrats have held Rusthall in the past, so it will be an interesting three-way contest.
I thought Labnour had also held Rusthall at one time someone called Blackburn?
ReplyDeleteBlackburn held Southborough East. There was one Labour councillor at the time of the Poll Tax demonstrations, but that was before the ward re-organisation. Since the re-organisation no Labour councillor elected in Rusthall.
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