Something New candidate: ‘I want to beat Green Party in Horsham’

James Smith, who is standing for the first time, targeted finishing fifth out of the eight candidates in Horsham.

He said: “I want to beat the Greens, and I want to finish fifth.

“Last time, the Greens didn’t really campaign or spend anything, and they got 500 votes.

“If I can beat that, which is very much an unknown, it is a good way to show that the message has got across.”

The Horsham resident said he had ‘fun’ campaigning on his first venture into politics.

He said: “This is my first campaign and first experience of politics, and it has been really interesting to take part in.

“That idea of engaging in the process feels so much more positive than choosing between choices you don’t particularly like.

“I have gone into this knowing what the outcome will be - every vote is a success.”

And Mr Smith assured supporters that the future is bright for Something New, and added the party is ‘in this for the long haul’.

He said: “This is an accessible process. People think it is not but it really is.

“Even in safe seats your vote can count for something. We are in this for the long haul.”

For results and reaction, keep checking the County Times’ website.