It seems strange to want to stand for election given the effort and abuse it involves, but what impact can an independent councillor have on local issues? The local elections take place on 22 May, and I am running a campaign in Cambridge as Puffles the Dragon Fairy (my Twitter avatar is @Puffles2010). My aim is to turn established conventions on their heads. One way I am doing this is by campaigning across the city rather than in just one ward.
I am also encouraging people to contact other parties first, and to write #Puffles4Cambridge on their ballot papers if they are unimpressed with the responses they receive. This ensures that those people who like my ideas but live outside the ward I am standing in can show their support in a way other parties will notice.
On the issues of youth engagement and democratic renewal, I've reached the limits of my existing approach after two years of campaigning. I had to do something unexpected to get institutions to listen, because I and others like me who use social media to scrutinise council meetings had been put in a virtual box – written off as loud, online voices with limited support.
How hard is it to run as an independent candidate?
Standing in my neighbourhood has made it easier for me to collect signatures – I personally know those who signed my nomination papers. What I don't have, though, is a close network of friends prepared to be active on my behalf. At present, this is a one-man-and-his-dragon campaign – and I don't want it to be.
The biggest challenge I've come across is clicktivism: converting kind comments into firm commitments – even a move as basic as asking questions on Facebook to local parties has had a negligible impact. This is part of the learning process. I want to test just how good Cambridge is with all things digital. Can it cope with a living manifesto?
If we are that good a digital city, can we make it count in the public sector? If we can't, perhaps Cambridge isn't as dynamic and forward thinking as people think it is. I hope my campaign highlights this gap and encourages those that don't normally take part in local democracy to get involved.
Antony Carpen is a social media trainer and community activist.
• Want your say? Email sarah.marsh@theguardian.com to suggest contributions to the network.
Not already a member? Join us now for more comment, analysis and the latest job opportunities in local government.
