This year 31 independent candidates will battle it out for some of the 98 Wiltshire Council seats.
Some will, however, be contending for a seat at the county table against other independent would-be councillors.
This can be seen in Melksham East, where three independent councillors will vie for a single position.
Leader of the Independent group in Wiltshire Council, Ernie Clark
The leader of the independent group in Wiltshire Council, Ernie Clark, says he believes there are more candidates without party affiliation than four years ago but is not sure of the reason.
“There are a lot of Independents covering twenty-nine divisions; unfortunately some seats have more than one Independent standing,” he said.
“Not needing to get assenters could have something to do with it? Or it could, hopefully, be that more people are getting frustrated with how the Conservatives are running the county and want to make a difference.”
READ MORE: Wiltshire Council candidates for the May local elections
Cllr Clark said he believes party politics have their place nationally but at county level are not ideal.
“Councils such as Cornwall have had no overall control administrations in the past and they work,” he added.
“Oh for the day when Wiltshire does too!”
The elections will be held on Thursday, May 6.
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