I was advised some time ago not to blog in the purdah period but I’ve since found out that as I’m not a sitting Councillor (just a member of the public) that purdah isn’t relevant to me.

One shocking thing that I’ve come across when out knocking on doors in the newly created boundary area of West Wycombe is that there are a number of people that state that they don’t both voting in the local elections (or any elections) and this does worry me.

Our parents/grandparents/great grand-parents fought in 2 world wars (and countless life’s have been lost over the many hundreds of years from men and women before them) for our freedom and democracy that many take for granted.

Yes the 3 main political parties have let us all down but this doesn’t mean that we should abstain from voting.

Even to spoil your ballot papers is better than not to bother going out to vote.

You even have the choice to register for a postal vote (as I have done) and can vote from the comfort of your armchair without needing to pop out to your local polling station.

The normal expected turnout in a local election as the one being held tomorrow (i.e. Thursday 2nd May) is around 30 to 33% of eligible registered voters.

One thing that I’ve noticed is that the political parties know who last voted and in some cases who you voted for – they even get so clever as to target those people rather than bothering to canvass the rest of the population.

I’ve even heard that one of my rivals walk up to a property pop in a ‘sorry you were out card’ without even ringing the door bell or knocking – then move on to the next house..

Please vote.

Research carefully who is standing and think to yourself – would they work hard for me and the local area – would they stand up for the area.

It worries me that the main parties (UKIP now included) work on national issues and use their main political brand to try and get you to vote for their candidate.

This is the election for Bucks County Council – looking after your schools, roads, overseeing hospital services and social services – BCC looks after hundreds of millions of our tax pounds.

I feel glad that I am an Independent, I feel free that I don’t have to vote in certain ways (or be absent in key votes) or that I’m no longer seen as a firebrand or trouble maker.

I want to stand in my own ward as I think that much more can be done.

Of course I want to win – I have worked very hard on this campaign to win – but one thing that is more important than that is this = I have been able to get people that have never voted before to go out and vote for the first time.

If you are also one of those people, please start voting.

You have real power in your hands, although the main political parties hold the trump cards – you do have a real say over them on who you want to represent you in many different forms of Government.

I have voted for many people over the years from all walks of life and political parties (and outside of parties) Who knows – maybe I might be working for you very soon?

www.voteHAYDAY.com Darren Hayday - standing as the Independent Candidate for the West Wycombe ward.