ELECTED, Cornwall and Town!

WELL! That was all quite manic! Local Elections May 2017
 
Once I knew who my opponents in Hayle South Ward were I could finish my leaflet design only to find my favoured printer was on holiday and unavailable, so cue desperate phone calls until Headland Printers of Penzance were able to do the job in time at a good price.

Getting Nomination papers and signatures had been a rush and a panic, but Cornwall Council officers were patient and helpful, and I was in time to be properly nominated

Organising distribution of leaflets was another headache but eventually large areas of Hayle received my leaflets in good time. Thanks to Teamwork and for the last leaflets, nephew Steve!

Hours were spent online in emails and social media, answering questions and enquiries and similar on the telephone as the days to Election Day on 4th May 2017 seemed to rush by.

Candidates backed by political parties usually have much of the work, and all of the expenses paid by the political parties, but us Independents have to do it all and pay for it all ourselves (must be mad!?)

Finally on Thursday4th May (Star Wars Day--"May the Fourth be with you") I was able to rest, nothing more could be done as Hayle went to the polls, (or stayed at home) so a day cruising around just chatting to people was a pleasant change.

Friday was Count Day at Carn Brea Leisure Centre, and I made my way around noon to where it all took place, and the waiting was a pain, but eventually, around 3pm they did the count for Hayle South ward. I watched as the ballot papers were checked and placed into one or other of the three candidates trays, and for a while it was neck and neck between me and the Conservative Candidate, with only a few for the Lib Dem candidate.

Eventually my pile pulled ahead, and finally it was clear that I had won, but there was still a wait for the official declaration from Kate Kennally, Cornwall Council's Chief Executive and Returning Officer, and YES I was duly elected, with 54% of the vote, ahead of Conservatives with 34% and Lib Dems with 13%.

The word was that the count for Town and Parish Councils was going to be quite a bit later so I went home to await results online, but by then the Cornwall Council website had "gone down" under the pressure and had to be fixed overnight.

By Saturday morning results were in and I polled the second highest number of votes in Hayle Town Council after John Pollard, so a big "THANK YOU" Hayle voyers for your support.

I have already been called to County Hall this Saturday morning for a meeting of Independent councillors, and will be attending a two day induction course on Monday and Tuesday coming. All very interesting and new so far!

I'm looking forward to the challenges!

Graham.