As far as “being too far from an election” is concerned, actually that isn’t a good tack to take. At election time, all candidates will be out with their smiles and their rosettes, and it isn’t a real testing ground.

What is far more useful is to watch what they are doing during the years in between elections. Obviously this is easiest with sitting councillors, but those intending to stand should (if they are going to be any good) build up a “presence” with local communities and groups, involvement in local issues and campaigns, and write good letters to the newspapers — and no doubt other similar visible activities as suitable opportunities arise.

In my own case, I had been involved in our (then) Residents Association almost from my moving here, and was its secretary when a local campaign arose, and I was the “hub” of that.

It was only some months later that it was put to me that perhaps I should stand for election, which I thought about and eventually agreed — and here I am, nearly eight years later. They still seem to want me!

If we all think back to the springtime of last year, in the run-up to and campaign for the local elections, it is notable that one party’s approach was indeed positive, reminding residents of what they had achieved and their plans for the future.

The other parties were almost entirely negative, had little of real substance to offer (if you looked at all closely, this was fairly obvious) and some played a very “dirty” game. I know: I was helping out in several marginal wards and found some of the opposition literature. I also heard tales from residents in those places what they had been told on the doorstep by the oppo’ candidate(s) — from one party in particular.

Guess which party has a very clear overall majority, and which was the only party to reduce its membership of the elected Council last May…

The important thing to note is that there are two sides to a successful campaign: 1) you discredit your opponent’s actions, without going OTT; and 2) you state clearly and positively what you would do differently to make a genuine improvement.

It is a simple, yet effective, strategy which is sadly lacking on all sides. It is something we have tried to do as we start our campaigning here in Twydall, and already I have seen Lib Dem leaflets reading like the literary equivalent of an angry rottweiler!

Even Paul Clark has returned to his “Tory Watch” – a formerly weekly attack on Cameron’s Conservatives. There were even some occassions when he would post more on there than of his actual activities!

In contrast, the Gillingham Conservatives’ website has several positive messages, focusing on what we are/will be doing, rather than on attacking the opposition.

I totally agree with this.

I want to know why I should vote for you, not why I shouldn’t vote for your main competitor.

I still have my doubts why Reh Chishti changed sides – to find out the real reason would be useful, and I still need to be convinced about Cameron.

However I have been very disappointed with Brown, how the Government can guarantee investors and shareholders money in the Northern Rock whilst at the same time they are penny pinching with the pay award for our police force is beyond me!

I thought you might, your name gives it away. I couldn’t say to be honest, I’ve been impressed with Chisti when I’ve met him, and I can’t remember much about Paul Clark (except that he organised the MS Society a trip to the Houses of Parliment, whihc I enjoyed thoroughly).

I would have to see closer to election time to make a final choice.

I don’t have any political leanings, I would vote for whoever happened to be better (in my opinion) at the time.

I do, however like a good joke, which was the intention of my comment!