[shillelagh]

as far as i know the parties are the ones who pay for the leaflets and volunteers from the parties deliver them ... sometimes in the area where they live or nearby. Now if the councillors arent a member of a party then they would have to pay for their leaflets themselves. Now to print a leaflet, with a photograph on round a ward (the photograph so then people know who it is thats standing), will probably cost around £500 plus then you have to deliver the said leaflet to the constituents. To pay for it to be delivered you would depending on how many houses there were in that ward could cost another £300/£400 if you dont have enough volunteers to help you deliver them. Then also on top of that is canvassing - knocking on doors and speaking to the voters, and election day itself which if someone said theyd vote for you and then say i cant get to the polling station .. are you going to have a someone driving round in a car to take them? Also with a party backing you you have the adverts in newspapers, tv etc.

Before anyone says anything i've had plenty of experience on elections i've stood for election twice ... never mind the years i've spent canvassing and election days etc.... With party backing it is easier unless you have a large base of people you can call on to help you.