Why I am standing as a local independent councillor

“2020 showed us how strong we are locally when we work together. This year
we have an opportunity to make our town even better, supported by a council
that consults, listens and instinctively says ‘How can we help?’”

– 

Seeing as my twitter profile until recently began with the word "busy", you may be wondering why I have decided to jump into the puddle of local politics at this time.

This last year has made many of us realise that local action does not need to wait for authorisation before it happens. I, like many others, was involved in mutual aid neighbourhood groups which were set up and running within days thanks to the power of social media, and were then endorsed and supported by statutory services, who were invaluable at providing a framework and tools to bolster our volunteer enthusiasms. And, that's why I am standing....because I am convinced that greater partnerships and citizen involvement in all aspects of our governance is the way forward.

Power has evolved over the centuries from Kingdoms to Parliaments to Universal Suffrage, and it is now evolving further to include genuine participatory democracy, with phrases like citizens assemblies and liberating structures echoing in council chambers and boardrooms alike.

The above quote comes from another independent candidate standing for the Bude-Stratton Community Alliance in Cornwall. Inspired by the qualities and strengths of the community’s response to Covid and operating on the principle that Bude needs councillors who support and represent the locale, the alliance is fielding a host of candidates representing diverse backgrounds and occupations. They include a plumber, teacher, baker, shopkeeper, writer, bar worker, project manager, artist, business owner, cook, charity founder, full-time parent, software developer, publisher, designer and shoemaker.

People have said that this couldn't happen in a Unitary authority like Plymouth, but why not is the question I've been asking. Find out more https://flatpack2021.co.uk/about-flatpack-2021/. I am proud to be a tiny part of the yeast of change that is shaking up our local governance to really deliver something really special.