55 days to go until the municipal elections where Croydon’s voters will be electing their first ever executive Mayor.  As well as the Mayor Croydon will also be electing 70 new councillors who will be holding the mayor to account on behalf of the electorate. It’s a big change for Croydon and this means that the candidates for the main parties have been in campaign mode since before Christmas and now independent candidates are joining in the battle for Croydon’s votes.

Three of the main parties have now selected their candidates.  The Conservatives have selected Jason Perry, the leader of the Conservative group on Croydon Council, the Labour Party have selected Val Shawcross, former leader of Croydon Council and Deputy Mayor of London and the Greens have selected Peter Underwood, a long standing environmental campaigner.  All three candidates have been visible on the campaign trail. Jason Perry and Val Shawcross have both been putting forward their differing visions for the future of Purley swimming pool with Perry favouring a refurbishment of the existing swimming pool and Shawcross favouring a plan for an entirely new pool and facility in Purley. Peter Underwood meanwhile has been backing protesters concerned about the sale of a council building at Grangewood Park .

So far there is no news yet from the Liberal Democrats.

From a smaller party, Farah London (left) from the Taking the Initiative Party (TTIP) has indicated that she will be standing and also that her party will also be fielding candidates for the elections for councillors.

Former Conservative party member Ms London stood as an independent in the London Mayoral elections last year. She was born and raised in Croydon.

Gavin Palmer, previously a Conservative candidate in rock-solid Labour Woodside ward, was unhappy that he had not been selected as the mayoral candidate by the Conservatives.  He has now declared his intention to run as an independent.

Another potential independent candidate is Andrew Pelling, who has been hinting at a run as mayor for some time on his Twitter feed. No word from the Pelling campaign at the time of writing.

If you or your party are running in the May elections, the CRO is happy to report on your campaign events – drop us a line at thecroydoncro@gmail.com