BY KARIN ROWSELL
My first experience of an election campaign can best be described as an opportunity to get very fit, delivering leaflets and doorstep canvassing, an easy way to exceed my daily target of 10,000 steps!! The experience was well worth getting locked into someone’s garden and trying to climb over a rickety fence to continue distributing leaflets! I very much enjoyed discovering the intricacies of every corner of our village and listening to people talk about what is important to them.
Whilst general elections involve mainstream party politics, I am a firm believer that local elections should empower local communities to lead and take decisions that benefit their area. I recall that in the last local election, my experience at the ballot box was one of utter frustration, when the only names on the ballot paper were candidates from the two main political parties.
This experience spurred me on to put myself forward this time round. This would provide voters with a greater choice than last time and allow them to vote for a candidate other than one from the national political parties. If elected, I would offer an independent voice that prioritises the needs of the local community, free from the over-arching priorities adopted by the two ‘big’ parties. As it turned out I was one of four candidates standing in the Virginia Water ward, with Liberal Democrats joining the race along with the two other main parties.
Virginia Water is a stronghold for the Conservatives and I knew, from the start, it would be challenging to defeat their candidate. However, I was truly overwhelmed by the support afforded to me during the campaign. This gave me the confidence that, perhaps, I was in with a chance.
Polling day was a new and exhausting experience and it was difficult to gauge what the outcome of the election might be. I remained hopeful but also realistic at the same time. The following day, at the ‘Count’, I watched the piles of ballot papers growing. This gave me an early inclination that winning was not on the cards this time round.
Despite being actively engaged with the Virginia Water community for many years and instrumental in re-energising the local residents’ association, the adrenalin rush as a candidate in an election campaign and final counting was nerve wracking.
My congratulations go to David Coen who won the seat. Although I did not win, I came a respectable second and was delighted with this response as a ‘rookie’, completely new to the process. Particularly pleasing was the positive response by the community which I felt contributed to an increased turnout of 39% compared to 32% last time.
Finally, I would like to thank the many supporters who helped me during the campaign, and especially, those of you who trusted me with their vote. It was a privilege to seek people’s vote to represent you as an Independent Candidate for Virginia Water and you have given me the inspiration and appetite to say that ‘I’ll be back’!