Words by Nicola Murray
In the UK, a political shift is underway. The tacit two party system has been eroded, with those who were once seen as outside the race now potentially taking pole position.
Many pundits cite the electorate’s growing lack of faith in Westminster’s traditional leading forces, with large numbers of red or blue rosettes being cast aside in favour for more populist politics.
This loss in trust has also given rise to a swarth of independent candidates – campaigning in local elections for their communities without the clamour of a national party falling from grace.
And they’re gaining seats as well as ground – following the 2024 local elections, the Local Government Association Independent Group declared the “ascent of Independents… in the recent local elections is nothing short of breathtaking.”
Sam Richards, a local campaigner with no formal political background, is standing as an independent candidate for the Stockland Green ward in the upcoming Council elections – where the full 101 local councillor seats will be contested across Birmingham.
Richards, who lives in Stockland Green, has worked with hundreds of families and young people through her community organisation D1C1 – actively campaigning for youth provision in the area and better family support.
Now she is throwing her hat into the ring against two candidates from every major party, one from the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition, and the two sitting councillors – Jane Jones and Amar Khan – who left the Labour Party after being deselected by the National Executive Committee and are, themselves, now standing as independents.
But Richards is resolute, and argues “people, not politics” should shape decision-making at a local level.
“When the elections came about, I was already in a position of community advocacy and leadership,” she tells, adding that running for local office felt like a “natural extension” to the work she was already doing.
As with D1C2, it was the deprivation in the Stockland Green community that spurred Richards into politics.
“Some of the issues we face in Stockland Green are drug and alcohol abuse,” she tells, “children living below the poverty line, youth crime, unemployment challenges, and general neglect of our area.”
And the key is to get to the heart of the problem early, with Richards “looking at early intervention, and how we can bring more resources, support, and opportunities directly into the community.”
Many argue that being part of a political party would give someone such as Sam Richards a more powerful voice in the Council chamber, as well as a great chance of getting the chance to sit there.
But Richards is clear that her decision to stand as an independent was intentional.
“The only option was to stand as an independent to ensure that politics don’t become a distraction for my core values,” she explains, adding that “not coming in with a set political perspective will help me prioritise the voice of the community.
“When I look at politics from the outside I have seen how policies and political agendas can get in the way.”
The sentiment is rooted in a broader frustration with the current political climate, with many independent candidates standing one a firm and single issue – such as support for Gaza or a subject more directly closer to home.
There’s also the growing disillusionment in the political status quo, and Richards believes that national politics has filtered down to local politics: “I am also finding that there is a lot of distrust at the moment surrounding political parties because there is so much going on at the government level which has left a lot of people very confused and unsure of what to do.”
For Richards, this confusion risks overshadowing urgent local issues.
“We have things to be resolved in our community regardless of the political party in power,” she adds. “That needs to be the priority, not the political agendas.”
This is reflected on the doorstep, with Richards encountering a consistent theme of people switching off from politics altogether.
“I am finding that the political landscape at the moment has deterred a lot of people from wanting to vote,” she tells, whilst encouraging people to believe “there is power in your vote… people need to do their own research into individuals outside of their party affiliations.”
But despite the shift, in both the corridors of power and the minds of those who vote to send people there, standing outside the mainstream party system does come with some practical challenges. Independents lack the built-in support structures and networks that are available to party-backed candidates.
Richards is realistic about this and has plans for how she will navigate those lonely waters if elected.
“With two seats available in Stockland Green, I would work with whoever is elected alongside me,” she explains. “I have no alliances, so I can work with anyone to ensure that the voice of the community is heard.”
But whilst Sam Richards is “happy to work with members of political parties”, and is even “advocating for that partnership”, she draws a clear line when it comes to any formal alignment in the case of a Council led by coalition.
“It wouldn’t work for me,” she said, “I am not looking to be affiliated with a party.”
For more on Sam Richards, click here.
Birmingham voters will head to the polling stations on Thursday 7 May to elect local councillors in all the 69 wards throughout the city.
To find out more about all the candidates standing in Stockland Green, visit: www.erdingtonlocal.com/local-politics-meet-the-candidates-in-stockland-green
