What does a Non Party Candidate have to do to get elected? (Local Elections)

[Ah Well]

Btw I'm not intending to run as an Independent in the upcoming Local Elections or anything, just curious that's all and seeing the time of year that's in it

I've taken the results from 2004 as a comparison from the County Cork Local Elections being from Cork and being most relevant to me and concerning Independents as were elected (some of these may no longer be Independents or perhaps Councillors elected in 2004 as members of a Party may since have become Independents but this is a handy starting point for reference);

2004 Local Election Results for Cork

Cork City Council - No Independents.

Cork County Council - Only two Independents elected in the entire 10 areas; Noel Collins in Midleton Area and Christy O'Sullivan in Skibbereen Area (who was since joined FF and is now a FF TD).

The 12 Cork Town Councils - this is a VERY different story and there were Independents elected to EVERY one of the 12 Town Councils (bear in mind that there are 9 seats on each Town Council in County Cork);

Bandon - 1
Bantry - 1
Clonakilty - 3
Cobh - 2
Fermoy - 5 (a majority of the Town Council seats)
Kinsale - 1
Macroom - 1
Mallow - 1
Midleton - 3
Passage West - 1
Skibbereen - 1
Youghal - 1

From this it doesn't take rocket science to seem to suggest that if one were an Independent in County Cork (and are resident/suitable circumstances for the relevant electoral area) you haven't most likely an asses roar of getting a seat in the County Council or City Council Elections but possibly do have a legitimate chance for a Town Council one.

I'm assuming this is quite to do with Town Council Electorates being relatively small in number and it's easier to get known/make a stake/etc.

And .... what exactly does an Independent have to do to succeed without the party machine, other backup and droves of minions prepared to scurry around to promote their cause?

[wysiwyg]

Btw I'm not intending to run as an Independent in the upcoming Local Elections or anything, just curious that's all and seeing the time of year that's in it

I've taken the results from 2004 as a comparison from the County Cork Local Elections being from Cork and being most relevant to me and concerning Independents as were elected (some of these may no longer be Independents or perhaps Councillors elected in 2004 as members of a Party may since have become Independents but this is a handy starting point for reference);

2004 Local Election Results for Cork

Cork City Council - No Independents.

Cork County Council - Only two Independents elected in the entire 10 areas; Noel Collins in Midleton Area and Christy O'Sullivan in Skibbereen Area (who was since joined FF and is now a FF TD).

The 12 Cork Town Councils - this is a VERY different story and there were Independents elected to EVERY one of the 12 Town Councils (bear in mind that there are 9 seats on each Town Council in County Cork);

Bandon - 1
Bantry - 1
Clonakilty - 3
Cobh - 2
Fermoy - 5 (a majority of the Town Council seats)
Kinsale - 1
Macroom - 1
Mallow - 1
Midleton - 3
Passage West - 1
Skibbereen - 1
Youghal - 1

From this it doesn't take rocket science to seem to suggest that if one were an Independent in County Cork (and are resident/suitable circumstances for the relevant electoral area) you haven't most likely an asses roar of getting a seat in the County Council or City Council Elections but possibly do have a legitimate chance for a Town Council one.

I'm assuming this is quite to do with Town Council Electorates being relatively small in number and it's easier to get known/make a stake/etc.

And .... what exactly does an Independent have to do to succeed without the party machine, other backup and droves of minions prepared to scurry around to promote their cause?

1. They have to work very very hard.

2. They have to be credible as a candidate (many Indo's are one issue protagonists)

3. They have to be able to muster cross party appeal

4. They need dedicated helpers (not too many, but those that do need to be really dedicated)

5. They need money to mount a credible campaign

6. They need to be inventive and creative

I am standing as an Indo in South Tipperary. I feel that I can and will make a decent impact. Anyone that wants to help, contact me

[Ah Well]

1. They have to work very very hard.

2. They have to be credible as a candidate (many Indo's are one issue protagonists)

3. They have to be able to muster cross party appeal

4. They need dedicated helpers (not too many, but those that do need to be really dedicated)

5. They need money to mount a credible campaign

6. They need to be inventive and creative

I am standing as an Indo in South Tipperary. I feel that I can and will make a decent impact. Anyone that wants to help, contact me

Cheers Wysiwyg ... exactly as I would have thought/already knew.

Not in South Tipp myself obviously but that besides the very best o luck to ya

[Deise Pride]

its saturday night and look at the amount of people online on this thing.....how sad are we....

[Ah Well]

its saturday night and look at the amount of people online on this thing.....how sad are we....

To the contrary ... it evidences how much the vast majority don't care

[Ah Well]

Fair play to Wysiwyg for the concise answer ... but it still doesn't answer how Independents do so well in Town Councils compared to County Council Elections ... take South Tipp even as an example .. I presume that's a County Council area... it would be easier to stand as an Independent in a Town/Borough Council/whatever like Cashel or Clonmel, with a smaller Electorate, make more of an impact and subsequently get elected - 5 did in each of those last time in 2004

[monroe99999]

I am standing as an Indo in South Tipperary. I feel that I can and will make a decent impact. Anyone that wants to help, contact me

strange how your appeal for support doesn't mention what you stand for or what you might talk about if elected. btw Cork City Council does now have several independants e.g Dave McCarthy, Chris O' Leary, Annette Spillane although the expression "rats jumping sinking ship" might be in order.

[wysiwyg]

Fair play to Wysiwyg for the concise answer ... but it still doesn't answer how Independents do so well in Town Councils compared to County Council Elections ... take South Tipp even as an example .. I presume that's a County Council area... it would be easier to stand as an Independent in a Town/Borough Council/whatever like Cashel or Clonmel, with a smaller Electorate, make more of an impact and subsequently get elected - 5 did in each of those last time in 2004

Yes, it is easier on a town council. In some areas, less than 100 FPV's will get you very much in the running for a seat... and having a big family, or the support of one or two big estates witll get you that

[Ah Well]

Yes, it is easier on a town council. In some areas, less than 100 FPV's will get you very much in the running for a seat... and having a big family, or the support of one or two big estates witll get you that

Exactly what I thought... any chance of that working for you btw? tho it is a bit close to time for 2009 and all that

[Swinging Door]

One candidate I know of stood on the issue of overcrowding in a materity hospital. In the heat of the debate he told onlookers there were women waiting for up to 12 months to have their babies in the local mateity unit. (Fact).