As we head towards the local council elections, it's easy to get caught up in the noise. Campaigns are filled with promises, accusations, and critiques, and it can be difficult to sort out what really matters. One piece of advice as you consider your vote: look for candidates who focus on what they will do, not just what they won’t.

There’s a difference between tearing something down and building something up. Candidates who spend their time telling you what they oppose, what they’ll stop, or what they won’t allow may sound strong in the moment. But when the dust settles, what’s left? Opposition without a plan is just an empty promise. Leadership is not about pointing fingers or drawing lines in the sand—it’s about paving a way forward, even when the path isn’t clear.

We need leaders who have a vision for our community—candidates who will tell you what they plan to achieve, not what they will avoid. The reality is, progress comes from positive, forward-thinking ideas, not from standing in the way of something else.

This is especially true in local government, where practical solutions to real-world problems are what matter most. Whether it’s sustainable development, better infrastructure, or improved community services, we need representatives who can tell us exactly how they will contribute to making our community a better place—not what they’ll block or reject.

So, as you listen to candidates over the next few weeks, ask yourself: do they have a plan, or are they simply opposed to someone else’s? Because when the time comes, we need leaders with solutions, not just critics with complaints.