After Freo's own INDEPENDENTS DAY yesterday, where three new and one sitting member announced they will be nominating for Fremantle Council, I was wondering how important it is to be an independent candidate at the local government elections in October. Is there a benefit in it for the community, or is it hubris? Would it be better to have a Mayor with close connections to the very popular Labor State Government, or would an independent, Liberal, Green Mayor be able to get more much-needed State support for Fremantle? There are so many thing us voters need to consider, so let's hope there will be some good forums where we can question all the candidates for Fremantle Council.

As someone who unsuccessfully nominated for Fremantle Council twice and claimed to be independent, I have contemplated since if so-called independence is really an advantage, or if it is a holier than thou furphy? Does independence actually exist in politics, or is it just another box we tick to store people away in?

Independence does not mean that people don't have political preferences, but it appears to suggest that independent candidates are better because they are not connected to a political party. Maybe claiming to be independent is simply hiding which side of politics one supports?

Being a member or supporter of a political party is not a crime, and neither should it be a disadvantage to be elected on local council. It is not as if Mark McGowan directs the Elected Members who are pro Labor on councils how to vote on planning or other issues, and neither did Colin Barnett. Local Councillors do not take directives from the political parties they are a member off.

When you step up for public office you are likely to have very strong opinions and a desire to improve the community you live in, so I have little doubt that most election candidates have a strong political opinion. It is quite cute that when you are expressing your values and opinions in community groups you are not labelled a redneck or a communist, but once you get into politics the name-calling starts.

When you go tree planting in Samson or Booyeembara Park as a community member you are lauded for it, but when you do the same as a Councillor you are just a lefty. It is rubbish to claim that voters on the right of politics don't care about women's rights, Aboriginal reconciliation or homeless people, etc. and it is rubbish to suggest that those on the left of politics are bad at financial management, etc. We need to stop putting people in boxes!

There are claims that some people stand for council for personal reasons, as in wanting a political career, but what is wrong with that? Why should one not have the desire to step up from ordinary councillor to Mayor and from there to State or Federal governments? Why is it wrong to want to make a difference at the highest level? Is that selfish? I don't think so!

Personally I don't care one bit if a council candidate is to the left, right or centre of politics. I don't care if they support the Greens, Liberal or Labor parties. All I expect from my Elected Members is to have an open mind, to be respectful and creative, to be committed and accountable, and to be transparent at all times. I want the very best for Fremantle and if that is offered by those on the other side of the political spectrum I am in, so be it. I'll support them.

What I want to hear from the candidates during the three-month election campaign is new ideas that give us hope. I am over all the whingeing. We all know what is wrong in Fremantle and we need people who want to fix the problems, not ones who just revel is badmouthing those who are currently on Council. The blame game is unhelpful negativity, when we should be looking for good respectful collaboration instead. It's not about left versus right of politics, it's all about Freo!

Roel Loopers