Well, it wasnt to be!

Well, it wasn't to be. It wasn't through any lack of effort, on the part of me or the many many volunteers who helped me with putting the word out there with the leaflets we dropped. When presented with a real opportunity to drive change in our area the majority have voted for more of the same.

I haven't really stopped since yesterdays count - out with the family in Leeds last night to see the band Keane I climbed into bed in the early hours after just 2 hours sleep the night before. Only this morning am I starting to process the implications of yesterdays vote.

And my overriding emotion is one of sadness. Not for me though.

Since announcing I was going to stand in this election I have been contacted by so many really lovely people who were reachng out for help, because their previous attempts to secure help from the incumbent councillors (and the council) had come to nothing. I've worked with some of those people to try and deliver the help they needed, with differing levels of success as at the end of the day I had no real contacts in the council - and thats why I genuinely hoped I'd be elected so I could do more to help them, and others who need it.

I know many of them were hoping for the same.

Again since standing I've become aware of many more issues locally than I thought existed. And I worry that by not voting for change we will still be driving over potholes that damage our cars, taking our lives in our hands when pulling out of the Treeton Lane and Robin Hod junctions, our local bus services won't improve, the Council will continue to approve huge swathes of land to be handed over to developers unopposed and we'll find it even more difficult to get an appointment at our local GP surgery, and that Swallownest and the surrounding area will still not have the passionate advocates it needs at Council to get the investment it needs to truly improve and become a better place for us all to live.

I spoke a fair bit during the count to both the Labour councillors. They are both really good people, and I was left in no doubt that they both do actually work hard. I received a fair list of the various committees they sit on and what they do, and its commendable.

But throughout I was left thinking "But what about Swallownest? What are you actually doing for the people who live in the area that votes you in?"

They should both be congratulated for their success yesterday. But sadly, and once again, I fear it is more about the colour of their rosette and the party they represent than what they truly bring to our local area and its residents.

I have a lot of thank yous and I'll be going through that tomorrow. Right now I need to jump in the shower and head to Sunderland to hopefully see my football team not get relegated today. That really would round off a terrible week

The biggest thank you of all has to go to the 425 people who trusted me enough to put a big X against my name. It is a huge source of personal pride to me that so many of you had the faith in me and what I could do for you that you did that.

THANK YOU