Letter: The Question Is – Will Candidates Prioritise Community or Party?

Published on: 21 Feb, 2026
Updated on: 21 Feb, 2026

From John Ferns

In response to: Politics-free Councils Would Not Give Us What We Need and other letters and comments on the topic of party political involvement in parish and town councils.

As the proponent who sparked off this debate, I’m pleased to see the number and range of views being expressed.

When there’s a pothole, a contentious planning application, flooding in the road or pressure on school places, residents ask very simple questions:

Do I know who to contact? Will they reply? Will they act? And, crucially, are they fighting for this community, or defending a wider party position?

That is the nub of it.

Cllr King is right that structures, wards and allowances can widen participation. John Redpath is right to worry that party culture can sometimes blur local accountability. Both risks and benefits exist.

Ultimately, though, the health of parish and town democracy will not be decided by whether candidates wear rosettes or not. It will be decided by whether enough good men and women step forward in good faith — prepared to put place before party and service before advancement.

If that spirit prevails, the structure matters far less.

If it doesn’t, no structure can fix it.

Responses to Letter: The Question Is – Will Candidates Prioritise Community or Party?

Gavin Morgan Reply

February 22, 2026 at 10:56 am

A very polite and balanced letter but I agree with Mr Ferns’s original one.

I am deeply suspicious of politicians who claim everything needs to be politicised. You only have to read The Dragon or attend a borough council meeting to see that the main political parties have no time for each other. Such conflict at a parish or town council level is very disruptive and unhelpful.

Political parties just want to dominate and that is precisely why politics should be banned at a parish or town council level. Local communities don’t need power grabs they need community spirit.
Jan Messinger Reply

February 23, 2026 at 12:34 pm

Totally agree with Gavin Morgan here. I think we have all seen say “No” to more houses. Of course those following party politics who support build, build, build will go with that opinion regardless of the needs of the area they represent. Especially as we are finding utilities and facilities can’t keep up.

I say “No” to politics in parish and town councils. People need to rise to the challenge of supporting what is needed in their area. So if Guildford town does go for a town council I would like independent people to step forward and do their best for others in the community.