CANDIDATES
David Wood – Independent Candidate
Working for you as a Barnsley councillor, keeping you informed
I have spent months asking difficult questions about how Barnsley Council works, how money is spent, and why residents so often feel ignored or misled.
I did that for one reason only:
because if you are going to represent people, you owe them the truth.
I am standing as an Independent candidate because local decisions should be made for Barnsley, not filtered through national party politics.
I will not promise what cannot legally or financially be delivered.
I will not hide behind slogans.
And I will not explain things away after elections that should have been explained before them.
Working for you as a Barnsley councillor, keeping you informed means:
• Telling residents the truth before elections
• Being honest about what councils can and cannot do
• Using evidence, not ideology
• Publishing facts, not spin
• Explaining decisions and trade-offs clearly
• Standing up for Barnsley, not party interests
• Taking responsibility when decisions are hard
I will work with anyone from any party who is serious about transparency, accountability, and putting Barnsley first.
I am not here to sell false certainty or manage expectations downward.
I am here to explain the choices, keep residents informed, and be accountable for the outcomes.
That is what working for you means.
Making common sense, common again.
David Wood Unfiltered
Your Independent Candidate
Working for you as a Barnsley councillor, keeping you informed
Accountability. Integrity.
Neil Fisher – Independent Candidate for Royston
Neil Fisher is a lifelong Royston resident, community volunteer, and independent candidate standing for one simple reason: to protect what matters locally and to put people before politics.
For more than 15 years, Neil has been a constant presence at Rabbit Ings Country Park, volunteering from the very day it opened. Week after week, year after year, he has quietly given his time to litter picking, planting, mowing, maintaining picnic areas, and caring for the park’s wildlife and green spaces. He does not do it for recognition or praise. He does it because he cares deeply about Royston and the people who live here.
Neil’s commitment to the community goes far beyond maintaining green spaces. He has rescued and rehabilitated abandoned and injured animals, including a severely neglected dog and wildlife such as swans and fox cubs. In one serious incident, Neil intervened during a dangerous dog attack, putting himself at risk to protect a woman and her pet. When animals have been lost, he has personally arranged and funded memorial trees and benches, ensuring dignity, respect, and remembrance.
Through his dedication, Rabbit Ings has become a true wildlife haven, now supporting barn owls, kestrels, and thriving bird populations. Locals know Neil as the person who turns up when something needs doing, whether that means dealing with anti social behaviour, raising concerns, or simply keeping the park safe and welcoming for families.
Outside the park, Neil is an active and consistent voice for Royston. He attends PACT meetings regularly, raising issues that matter to residents and pushing for practical improvements. Each Christmas, while working full time, he organises and distributes charity cakes and mince pies to churches, care homes, and community groups across the borough, helping ensure older and vulnerable residents are not forgotten.
Neil is standing as an Independent because he believes local communities deserve representatives who are not controlled by party politics or party lines. His priorities are clear: protecting green spaces, improving local services, maintaining roads and public areas, supporting policing, and ensuring Royston remains a safe, caring place for future generations.
Neil Fisher is not a career politician. He is a volunteer, a protector, and a committed local resident who has already spent years serving his community. As an Independent candidate, he offers honesty, independence, and a proven record of action — not promises.
Vote Local. Vote Independent. Vote Neil Fisher.
We welcome all Independent Candidates from across Barnsley to join us here.
What Makes a Good Independent Candidate
Barnsley deserves councillors who are rooted in their communities, guided by common sense and driven by a genuine desire to serve local people. As we look ahead to the local elections in May 2026, we are inviting residents who care deeply about where they live to consider standing as Independent candidates.
You do not need to be a career politician.
You do not need to follow a party script.
You simply need to care about Barnsley and the people who live here.
So, what makes a good Independent candidate?
A strong connection to the community
Good candidates know their area. They listen to residents, understand local issues and take concerns seriously. They are visible, approachable and grounded in real life, not distant politics.
A commitment to people before politics
Independent candidates put local needs first. They are not tied to party lines or external agendas. Their loyalty is to the residents who elect them and the communities they serve.
A belief in direct democracy
Standing as an Independent means restoring the direct relationship between voters and their representatives. Independent councillors are free to think, question and vote in the best interests of their ward, without pressure from party whips or political handlers.
Integrity and honesty
Good candidates tell the truth, even when it is uncomfortable. They value transparency, accountability and clear communication. They respect residents enough to be straight with them.
A willingness to listen and act
Independent candidates engage with people on their doorsteps, in community spaces and online. They listen carefully, take concerns forward and work constructively to help find solutions that make a real difference.
The courage to challenge and improve
Barnsley needs people prepared to question poor decisions, challenge waste and speak up when things are not right, always calmly, factually and responsibly.
Why stand as an Independent?
By standing as an Independent candidate, you can be a voice for change, champion transparency and accountability, and help shape a better future for Barnsley. You can inspire others to engage with local democracy and show that ordinary residents can step forward and lead.
At Independents of Barnsley, we believe that our borough is strongest when local people are empowered to represent their own communities. Together, we can bring fresh voices, diverse perspectives and honest leadership into local government.
If you feel ready to take that step or would like to find out more, we would love to hear from you. Please reach out to us personally to discuss your interest and how we can support you at this vital time.
Together, let us build a new era of local government in Barnsley, one rooted in integrity, accountability and people before politics.