An independent Lichfield councillor says she will stand for re-election, despite previously saying she would not.
Cllr Joanne Grange, who represents the Chadsmead ward at Lichfield District Council, had been expected to stand down after citing work commitments.
But she said a change to her day job meant that she had decided to contest the local elections on 4th May after all.
She told Lichfield Live:
“I was very disappointed when it looked like I wasn’t going to able to stand for re-election in Chadsmead, but I had to be realistic about work commitments.
“However, some changes in the arrangements for my new job mean that I am not now going to be in London three days a week and I can now commit to attending council meetings which start at 6pm in Lichfield. So I am now going to stand for re-election.
“I was very grateful to people in Chadsmead for taking a chance on an independent candidate and electing me four years ago, and I hope since then I’ve earned their trust and shown to be a hard working councillor and they will re-elect me on 4th May.”
Cllr Joanne Grange, Lichfield District Council
No details of who else will contest the Chadsmead ward have yet been confirmed, but Labour has not listed a candidate for the ward on its own website.
The two seats are currently occupied by Cllr Grange and Lib Dem representative Cllr Paul Ray.
I don’t live in your Ward but I’m pleased that you are now able to stand for re-election. We all benefit from your common sense approach to local government. I wish there were more like you. Best of luck!
So happy you’re standing for re election Cllr Grange, in fact when I read this I felt relief.
We need many more Cllrs like you, I wish I were in your ward and wish you well.
Nice political play to make the Conservatives think you will not be standing so they would not bother to up their game (such as it is) against you. Hopefully others will play the same move.
All political games really though. Labour do not see fit to field candidates in Chadsmead despite the demographic of the top half of the ward, which should make it number 2 for Labour in Lichfield itself. Labour not that keen on helping needy people versus political benefit. Then why would you want to split the vote and remove a thorn from the Conservatives side.
@RFW – that would’ve been very cunning. Wish I’d thought of it!
But no, it’s a genuine case of significant and permanent changes in my job which simply mean that I won’t now be on the 17:57 out of Euston when council meetings start.
Until candidate lists are published in early April we won’t know who’s standing. It may be the Labour Party have more candidates and the published list is just preliminary and I’m sure there will be others. Last time in Chadsmead we had one of the longest lists with eight candidates for two seats.
The biggest issue with any local election is turnout. Last time I won my seat with just 350 votes out of an electorate of 3,372 and turnout was 33%. With Chadsmead’s very mixed demographic, turnout will be the deciding factor.
@AnnS & @Kitty – thank you!
You are fun and freindly hope you get a new run
A freind John madden no need for
Bad comments of any one for caring let them fill the forms In the cruel humans.