John Hunt – An Independent voice representing you, not the interests of a political party.
On election day (6th May 2027) I will have represented the good people of Bishop’s Hull and Taunton West at Somerset County (now Unitary) Council for 10 incredible years and I have to say, that it has been an honour and a privilege to serve you all. As previously declared, I will be standing for re-election to Somerset Council in the new Bishop’s Hull and Oake division. More specificality, I’ll be running for re-election in Bishop’s Hull and to be newly elected in the parishes of Oake, Bradford on Tone, Langford Budville, and Nynehead.
Somerset Council Boundary changes
Currently, Bishop’s Hull is part of the Bishop’s Hull and Taunton West council division (or “ward”, if you prefer), represented by two Somerset councillors (including myself). The division covers an area stretching from Rumwell to Taunton town centre and has approximately 8,900 electors.
Oake, Bradford on Tone, Langford Budville and Nynehead are currently part of the Upper Tone council division. This is also a two-member division, with more than 8,000 electors, and includes the larger settlements of Milverton and Wiveliscombe.
Under the new arrangements, Milverton and Wiveliscombe will form part of the Wiveliscombe electoral division. Meanwhile, the four parishes of Oake, Bradford on Tone, Langford Budville and Nynehead will be grouped with Bishop’s Hull to create the new Bishop’s Hull and Oake Somerset Council division. For more information, and to view a useful map, please click here.
Before making my decision to stand in the May 2027 Somerset Council elections, I wanted to understand the make-up of the division I would be seeking to represent. It is my view that elected councillors should live in the communities they represent. As I live in Bishop’s Hull, the Boundary Commission’s proposed new division containing Bishop’s Hull would be the only division in which I would consider standing.
For many years, I have proudly promoted my own village and parish of Bishop’s Hull. Therefore, when I discovered that the new division would comprise Bishop’s Hull together with the four beautiful parishes of Oake, Bradford on Tone, Langford Budville and Nynehead, my decision became a straightforward one.
Manifesto
I am not a fan of manifestos. They are rarely adhered to, and the promises they contain are more often than not broken.
However, I would like to make you a promise. If elected on 6 May 2027 as your Independent Somerset Councillor, I promise to represent you, the good people of Bishop’s Hull, Oake, Bradford on Tone, Langford Budville and Nynehead, with honesty, integrity, openness, consistency, visibility, accessibility, and, above all, a willingness to engage and to listen.
Representing residents as an Independent Councillor on Somerset Council has been, without question, the greatest honour of my life. I am immensely proud of what I have achieved since I was first elected in 2017, and am proud to stand by my record.
One thing I am particularly passionate about, and will continue to do if re-elected, is keeping you informed by providing timely, up-to-date information. Too often, this information is either unavailable from official sources or, at best, vague. It is frequently unavailable altogether during bank holidays, weekends and in the evenings.
As your elected Somerset Councillor, I believe it is my responsibility to ensure that, whenever possible, you receive accurate and timely updates, particularly during worrying and frustrating situations such as road closures, utility works and other local disruptions. Access to real-time information is also vital during periods of severe weather, public health emergencies and major incidents involving our emergency services.
The Advantages of Being an Independent Councillor
This independence allows me to listen directly to local concerns and respond accordingly. Whether dealing with planning applications, highways issues, housing concerns, or community services, as your independent councillor I can focus on achieving the best outcome for you rather than advancing a wider political agenda.
Freedom of Thought and Action
Being an Independent councillor gives me the ability to assess each issue on its own merits, not constrained by political manifestos or national party policies that may not reflect local circumstances. This flexibility enables me to work constructively with councillors from all political backgrounds and support good ideas wherever they originate.
In local government, practical solutions are often more important than political ideology. As an Independent councillor I take a balanced and pragmatic approach, supporting proposals that benefit residents and opposing those that do not, regardless of who puts them forward.
Strong Local Accountability
As an independent councillor my accountability is straightforward: I answer directly to you the electorate. Without party structures to rely upon (by choice), I have built trust through visibility, hard work, and effective representation.
Residents know that as their independent councillor, success depends entirely on my reputation within the community. This has created a stronger connection between me as an Independent Somerset Councillor and those that I represent, encouraging greater responsiveness and engagement.
Representing Local Values
Local communities are unique, and their priorities do not always align neatly with national political agendas.
This local focus allows me to champion issues that may otherwise receive less attention, ensuring that smaller communities and local concerns remain at the heart of decision-making.
In conclusion
Being an independent councillor offers me a unique opportunity to represent residents without the constraints of party politics. The freedom to make decisions based solely on local interests, combined with direct accountability to the electorate, allowing me to provide focused and effective representation. On many occasions, this independence has enabled me to act as strong advocate, a collaborative leader and a trusted voice for local people. Ultimately, the greatest advantage of being an independent councillor is the ability to serve my community first, every time.
Vote John Hunt on Thursday 6th May 2027. Independent, working hard for YOU, NOT for the interests of a political party
Thank you for visiting my website, If you have any questions please do not hesitate to Contact me.
John
