Lynne Thomas, who runs the INKSPLOTT website, provides interviews and fact-checks of candidates to ensure the community gets clear, relevant information.
A local website operator worked to provide residents with more localized insight into the candidates during the Splott by-election this month.
Lynne Thomas, who runs a hyperlocal website called INKSPLOTT, volunteers to post interviews with candidates and fact-checks campaign materials to ensure that the community has access to transparent, relevant information.
“There’s been so much material posted through people’s doors, and I’ve personally found it quite confusing because some of the leaflets don’t really say anything about Splott. I really want them to tell me about their priorities, their passions for this area,” said Lynne, when asked why she wanted to do these things.
Due to the death of Councilor Jane Henshaw, Splott held a by-election on December 5th to select her replacement. There were seven candidates for the position.
Lynne talked about the challenges of this campaign. “This by-election has been very different in Splott. It’s been a lot tenser…a big negative angle to the campaign.” She felt frustration over leaflets that focused on national issues rather than local priorities.
On the content of Lynne’s interview questionnaire, everything was tied to the local area, for example the candidate’s connection to Splott, successful things in Splott, the five top contributions to Splott after being elected, etc.
“I don’t tamper with the answers at all and wouldn’t be participating in any discussions with any other candidates about their policies or anything,” said Lynne. While remaining unbiased, she also fact-checks the content of the parties’ propaganda.
By the end of the election, only four candidates had approached Lynne for interviews. “I put an open call to candidates to contact me if they want to be interviewed and I send out the same set of questions to all the candidates. But I can’t force them,” said Lynne.
Talking about what to expect from the new councillor, Lynne said: “I think I would like our councillor to really fight for the community first. So not profit or industry or business or individuals, I think I would really like for community to be first and foremost.”
According to information released by Cardiff City Council, Anny Anderson of the Welsh Labour was elected with 711 votes, 34%.