Party politics in local government.

The problem candidates face at local elections is that their fate is determined by the national standing of their parties. Conventional wisdom has  it that the Liberal Democrats will suffer a major loss of seats in May.  This will have little to do with the merits of individual candidates.  Voting intentions will be determined mostly by the electorate's view of the parties in a national context.

However, local cirumstances may have a bearing on voting intentions depending on how animated voters are about local issues. Such is the case in Tunbridge Wells where the ruling Conservative Group has made blunder after blunder, all well-documented in the local media.  The Liberal Democrats could benefit from this.  UKIP is raising its game as it scents an electoral breakthrough.

Fortunately party politics do not intrude too much into parish council elections and it is to be hoped that the candidates for the newly formed Rusthall Parish Council will all stand as independents.

When urban district councils were abolished in 1974 they were replaced by town councils which have the same powers as parish councils. Southborough Town Council's elections are fought on party political  lines. Barmy.