No, you can stand as an Independent candidate or join a political party.
Standing for a political party
If you’re keen on joining a political party, start by getting involved locally. Attend meetings and chat with fellow party members. Remember, each party has its own ideologies. So find one that resonates with your values and vision.
Many parties have a local website, through which you can get information about how they operate in your area. The parties currently represented on the County Council, along with their national websites, are:
Standing as an Independent
If you plan to stand as an Independent councillor, you’ll need to start becoming aware of issues in your local area; what your local council is doing about these issues; and how your own opinion differs from the political parties.
And remember, being Independent doesn’t mean being isolated. There is a wide network and range of support offered to Independent councillors via the Local Government Association Independent Group.
Next steps
Still have questions? Join one of our free information sessions online or in person, download our printable information guide or, if you’re ready to take the next step, learn more about the nomination process.
