Invisible People.

I was interested to meet John Berry, who is seeking reelection to Devon County Council in the pub yesterday. I doubt that John Berry and myself have much in common politically as he is a Conservative, but by all accounts he has been a good local representitive for this part of mid Devon. Mr Berry had spent yesterday morning at a Coffee Morning in Bradninch and had then been canvassing in Silverton. In contrast, we seem to have seen and heard nothing of the other candidates standing for election to the County Council which is, after all, the body that has most influence on the provision of local services and looks after much of our local strategic planning.

Given that the days of the mass political party when most of the main parties had branches in the villages that could distribute literature and provide local candidates are gone, perhaps one of our local organisations could in future arrange a local hustings or 'Any Questions' meeting where candidates for local office could be questioned by members of the public on their policies and outlook. At least we might then get a better idea of the people who seek to represent us.