I’ve spent the day planning campaign content (themes for blog posts and story boards for video) for the next four weeks and I remembered this from two years ago. When I stood in the by-election for Haslemere Town Council in May 2017, a friend had helped me put together this short video:

I said:

My name is Nikki Barton and I moved to Haslemere South just over ten years ago with my young family, my three lovely daughters, and I quickly realised what a very special community it was.

I’ve been very involved in the community over the years.

I started a walking bus for St Bart’s schoolchildren to help them get to school more safely.

I became a governor of St Bart’s School and then I discovered that Surrey County Council were planning to put parking meters throughout the High Street and along the other principle roads in his town. I led a successful challenge against that introduction of meters.

I’ve also been involved with setting up the Haslemere Vision, the neighbourhood plan and I’ve also served for four years as the independent County Council for Haslemere.

As Surrey County Councillor, I initiated quite a few projects around the town a key one was the Haslemere Community Rail Partnership which is set up at the station to try and promote the town and all the wonderful things that happen in the town and the countryside around.

If I was elected to represent Haslemere South in the town council I would continue to champion Haslemere as I have done through my four years as an independent County Councillor.

I’ve never been afraid to speak up for the town and pursue the principles of openness and transparency and community engagement.

Another key concern for me is the scrutiny for finance at the Town Council level and also that we look at what we value in the town.

There are several key issues that are of key concern at the moment for example traffic speeds and road safety in the town and that’s something very dear to my heart.

We’re also facing some severe challenges with the loss of potentially both of our post offices, the closure of the Marjorie Gray dementia day care centre and the cuts really to some essential services. We lost our youth worker for example and I really feel that the Town Council could have a huge role to play in looking at some of those key issues.

Looking again at that video, it’s a good moment to reflect on three proud successes for the community to celebrate. All were mentioned in that video two years ago. The dementia day care centre was saved and is now The Hunter Centre, still located on the Grayswood Road and the community post office that used to be located in The Coop was saved by the community and relocated to Haslewey. The Haslemere Community Rail Partnership has gained more recognition and is going to extend with the team’s help to other stations along the Portsmouth line.

I’ve enjoyed being a councillor for the past 6 years. This is what key people have said about my involvement in the community:

Nikki Barton was a strong supporter of the local community and to me personally here in Haslemere in January 2017 when the Alzheimer’s Society decided to close the Dementia Day Care Centre where my husband and many others suffering from Dementia attended. Nikki recognised our local vision for the need to help keep this valuable service for Clients and Carers. She voiced our concerns at meetings at both local and County levels and stood beside those of us who were determined to keep this service operational. Without her unwavering encouragement, support and negotiating expertise, we would not have had the voice to bring about the opening of a new thriving Community Charity for dementia care in Haslemere, The Hunter Centre. I am proud to support and recommend Nikki as an Independent Candidate for SCC. Margaret Barlow, Trustee – The Hunter Centre

With no party line to follow and, as someone living within the ward she is hoping to represent, Nikki has a proven track record of not only listening to the views of the community but, where necessary, taking appropriate action. A true community player with no hidden agenda, who I know will truly and honestly represent the issues and concerns of the people of Haslemere. Ken Griffiths, AKA Community Ken

Please click on this link to read more testimonials. There are no constraints to being an Independent councillor. As long as you put Haslemere first, you can achieve great successes.

I am planning to produce more videos for my 2019 campaign for the Surrey County Council and Haslemere Town Council elections.

Would you like join my campaign? As an Independent, I have no party machine to fund or manage my campaign. Read here to see how you can help.