A political revolution has reached Dartmouth ahead of the town council elections.

It takes the form of the Dartmouth Initiative Group which will be putting 16 candidates forward in the town council elections on May 2.

Candidates from DIG come from different backgrounds and political persuasions but have said they are united in their love for Dartmouth and determination to create a more inclusive and effective town council.

Residents from Frome and Buckfastleigh have been helping the group. In these towns small groups of non-affiliated independents have beaten other candidates in elections to change the way their councils are run.

A talk from former Buckfastleigh mayor Pam Barrett at the Flavel Church last month inspired the creation of DIG.

Dawn Shepherd, from Dartmouth Community Chest, who organised the talk with Pam Barrett said she was “so pleased” the former mayor came to share her experiences in Buckfastleigh with us.

“That first inspirational talk led to the formation of the DIG and we hope that we will also replicate the success other similar groups have had throughout the UK.

“Everyone in DIG is passionate about Dartmouth and wants to our community to benefit from a new kind of local politics and a different way of working.”

Cllr Barrett added: “It’s really great to see another local town seek to transform how it works to do its best for the community, by being accessible and approachable and actually listening to the people in its town, a town council can be a real force for community-led change.”

DIG will announce its candidates once nominations have closed.

The group is holding a meeting on Monday, April 8, at 7pm in the Flavel Church, for people to go along and meet its candidates.