Because I was campaigning to get things done/stop damaging things from happening in the area where I live and realised I needed to be a decision-maker to have a proper voice.

I am an Independent. There is no selection process for an Independent.

Independents stand for election without either the backing or constraints of a party. I simply completed the required forms, within the required timeframe.

One very frustrating aspect was not being entitled to an electoral register for the new areas of my ward until my application was submitted. This is a flaw in the system as the parties have automatic access to electoral registers at all times.

By allowing existing Independent councillors access to electoral registers for new wards they are to campaign for, so they are not disadvantaged.

I was very fortunate to have an experienced election agent and teams of people helping leaflet in most areas of the division.

Door knocking: Meeting people, hearing about the issues and planning my courses of action to help.

Going out in the cold or wet weather for hours at a time!

I’m not sure I would do anything differently.

To carry on the work, I have been doing since my election to Devon County Council in 2013, largely around trying to prevent the loss of local health services and improve environmental issues.

By providing for paid childcare for meetings.... and importantly having election periods outside the Easter Holidays, which they almost always clash with!