As with any election the turnout varies, this could because a few reasons like high profile local issues and whether or not there is another election taking place at the same time. For Cornwall the main election was for Cornwall Council, but there was also many town and parish elections too.

I think we all wish the turnout is high, however the reality is very different with the turnout rarely above 50% for local elections. I always find this strange as the local council like Cornwall Council has so much influence on people’s day to day lives. I would say more than our actual government.

So how was the turnout for the 123 Cornwall Council seats?

Top five Cornwall Council Division voter turnouts

• Rame Peninsula – 49%
• Looe West, Lansallos – 48%
• Roseland – 48%
• Feock & Playing Place – 47%
• Menheniot – 38%

Bottom five Cornwall Council Division voter turnout

• Newquay Central – 18%
• Redruth Central – 21%
• St Dennis and Nanpean – 21%
• Newquay Treloggan – 22%
• Redruth North – 23%

For my local area the turn out is as follows:

• For Porthleven and Helston West – 32%
• Helston North – 36%
• Helston South – 27%

The big question is how do we increase voter turnout? I find it really hard to understand why people cannot take 10 minutes to turn up at a polling station and vote. Furthermore, there is an even more simpler way to vote via the postal vote. This method has your ballot papers sent to you and all you have to do it put an X in the box and post is back to electoral services. Simple.

Anyone got the solution?

They say a week is a longtime in politics, I would say a day can change everything too. Take the polling day and the actual count, the latter has to be for a candidate one of the most nerve-racking days you will endure as a candidate. There is nothing you can do, but wait for the votes to be counted. It really is all or nothing.

Before a single vote was cast the make up of  Cornwall Council was going to change because  25 of the sitting Councillors were not seeking re-election. Many of these former colleagues will be missed, but I understand their reasons for not seeking re-election. Now post the count there will be 53 new Councillors out of the full membership of 123 Councillors.

The actual make up of the Council using the election results is as follows:

2013 Cornwall Council Election Results

Now this could still change, as it has been known for people to cross the floor and join other groups/parties soon after an election. My feeling is two will cross the floor within the next few weeks/months. Also those elected as Independents do not always come together in an Independent Group either. Some just like to standalone. So while the Independents seem to have the second largest gang, it still might not work out that way.

As with any election there are winners and losers with surprises on both sides of that coin. The former Leader, Alec Robertson (Con) lost to Phil Martin (Ind) in Helston North. This was probably one of the two biggest events in this election. The other was Colin Brewer being elected by four votes in Wadebridge East. I do not think we will hear the end of this story either.  A few former Cabinet Members were also not re-elected. These include Chris Ridgers (Con) lost by a mere three votes to UKIP,  Steve Rushworth, Lance Kennedy and Joan Symons  were also beaten.

Other notable back-benchers who did not get re-elected were Jude Robinson (the then sole Labour Councillor) Graham Walker (Ind) narrowly lost, and Ruth Lewarne (LD) has also gone. The Falmouth area saw a few changes as well, with Steve Eva (Ind) and Grenville Chappel (Ind) both losing out. This is not all the changes, for those you can look at the results page on the Cornwall Council website HERE.

One thing is for sure, the new Council will be a very different place from what I am used to. It is certainly going to be interesting to see what happens in the next few weeks and months.

We did it, yes I said we, as without the support from the local community I would not have been re-elected. So the first thing I must do is to say ‘thank you’ to everyone who gave support and took the time to vote. I have now had a few days to recharge and I am feeling a lot better and full of energy after a long and exhausting campaign.

The second thing is to say well done to the other candidates who stood in the Porthleven and Helston West election. It must be upsetting not to win, but you should be proud that you stood up and put your name on the ballot paper.

For those who do not know the official result, they are as follows:

Andrew Wallis (Ind) – 706 (65%)
Liz Lane (Con) – 189 (17%)
Steven Gough (UKIP) – 156 (14%)
Richard Goedegebuur (LD) – 35 (3%)

I am still quite staggered at the winning margin, and again thank people for having faith in me.

The number of people who voted was 1086 out of 3401, which comprised of 521 postal voters. There was also 5 spoilt ballot papers. More details HERE

The new Council officially takes office on Tuesday, but for me the work has already started with current and new casework that needs to be addressed.

Finally, I am pleased to say normal blogging service can now resume and look forward to being your Councillor again in this term of office.

The campaign is over, after the Polling Station closed at 10pm last night. It has been a long three weeks of sore feet and wearing out the soles of my shoes. Even though my body feels tired, I have enjoyed the process.

Booted and spurred at the Polling Station. And yes I do own a tie!

Before the count, which starts today at 10am, I would like to thank the many people who have helped me during the campaign. Being an Independent candidate is tough, as you have no party support. So any help, is warmly received.

I have always delivered my own leaflets by hand, as I have always thought if you want people to vote for you, you have to give everyone a leaflet. I guess it is impossible to guarantee 100% delivery, and those who have somehow slipped the net, I apologies.

Yesterday was a long day, as I was stood outside the Polling Station from 7am till 10pm. One thing military training teaches you, is how to stand on your feet for long periods of time. That training was a godsend yesterday.

As for yesterday, it was good to see so many people turn out and vote. For the Porthleven Polling Station it was 638 people, out of 2500 on the electoral register. I am sorry I could not be at both Polling Stations. It is just impossible to be a two places at once. Hopefully those people at the Helston West Polling Station understand.

As for the result, I will know probably early afternoon. From the responses at the Polling Station in Porthleven I am positive, but you just never know. I really hope people have had the faith in me again and re-elected me.

Thank you again for voting.

With just over two weeks to go until Cornwall goes to the Polls to elect Councillors to Cornwall Council. Readers of this blog might be interested in the political split on those Candidates who have put their names forward to stand for election. The split is as follows:

Conservatives 103
Liberal Democrats 91
UKIP 76
Labour 68
Mebyon Kernow 26
Greens 23
Independent 90 (some standing against other Independents)
Liberal 1

It is interesting that no political party is fielding a full set of 123 Candidates for this election.

Well it has officially started, the Elections for town and parish and Cornwall Council are now well underway after the official list of nomination was released on Friday.

For all the town and parish nominations click HERE. Porthleven Town Council will not see a contested election, as only seven out of nine seats have candidates. That means all who put their names down will be elected once the Polls close. Helston on the other hand will see elections taking place.

The nominations for people wishing to standing for Cornwall Council has been broken down into West and East. Unlike the town and parish councils, all the 123 Cornwall Council seats will be contested. I am seeking re-election for the Porthleven and Helston West (was South, but the Division has had a name change. The boundary is exactly the same).

Challenging for the Porthleven and Helston West Division are Lib Dem, Conservative and UKIP candidates. I am the only Independent candidate for this seat. I hope the residents in this Division will again have faith in me and re-elect me.

Soon, I will be out on the campaign trail visiting people and delivering my leaflet. If anyone would like to display one of my posters in their window, just let me know and I will have one sorted for you.