I SEE we are well into the pre-election period as the prospective parliamentary candidates crawl into the pages of the Knutsford Guardian.

The local Liberal Democrat candidate is making the right local noises but, frankly, I think he'd be a much better candidate for Cheshire East and stand a much better chance of winning in his home village of Mobberley.

The erstwhile former Standard Chartered banker and advisor to the last Labour Chancellor has rocked up to Tatton and is busily telling us what we already know – Knutsford is a great place to live, our ambulance crews are wonderful, and yes, we do need better, local NHS facilities.

He's obviously got political ambition within the Labour Party and is serving his apprenticeship in Tatton.

I find it difficult to criticise the Green candidate. I don't think she stands a chance but I agree that there's been a phenomenal sum of money wasted on HS2 when improving the Mid-Cheshire line would be far more use to the average Tatton resident.

To date, UKIP hasn't got a candidate and appears to have been unaware there is a General Election in Tatton in May this year.

I'm fully expecting UKIP central office to parachute Christine Hamilton in as their candidate.

I predict George Osborne will romp home in Tatton on May 7. I expect his opposition know that but will try to score political points from now until election day just making more and more people fed up with political parties.

Knutsfordians could make much more difference, and actually get things done, by standing in the Knutsford Town and Cheshire East elections – both of which take place on the same day as the General Election.

I'd like them to stand as Independents and get rid of the party politics which blights local democracy. I can see how tempting it is to join a party to help be elected.

After all, I've heard there's a rather nice social scene which goes with it.

But there are plenty of people out there who want to see Independent candidates who will represent the people, not the party.

And yes, you can still all go down the pub together.

Julie Tempest Knutsford