Almost 100 fight for 32 seats +++ Eight quit BBI +++ Three to go from Cabinet +++

New party emerges as third largest contender +++ Good number of Independents +++ Ex-councillors seek to get seats back +++

It's a bit like one of those Brian Rix Whitehall farces - doors opening here, there and everywhere ... as one person enters, another departs - you know the sort of thing we mean. The only thing that's lacking is the bit where the hero's trousers fall down - but it's early days yet!

In fact the farcical analogy may well prove to be not too far from the mark when you realise that we're talking about the forthcoming elections for a seat on Boston Borough Council.

Thirty two seats are up for grabs in eighteen wards - and there would have been exactly 100 candidates had it not been for the inability of three members of one party correctly to complete their nomination forms.

The current state of the parties is: Boston Bypass Independents 18 (down from an original 25) Conservatives seven, Better Boston group four and Independents three. There's been a lot of semantic waffle about the latter two groups and the easiest way is to think of them all as Independents under the skin.

At the last election, the big surprise was the emergence and success of the Boston Bypass Independent Party, and this time a similar surprise contender has emerged.

It takes the form of the English Democrats - not to be confused with the English Defence League, which is to shaven heads and the tattooist's art what Boston used to be to obesity.

No, English democrats are as English as roast beef, and if you don't believe us, take a look at their website here

In terms of who's fighting where, the BBI is fielding a total of 27 candidates. They appear in every ward - unlike the Conservatives with 26 candidates, who are giving Fenside and Frampton & Holme a miss.

Next largest party is the English Democrats - who would have had 14 candidates but for three nominations declared invalid.

After them come Labour and the Independents -  - including former members of the Better Boston phalanx - with eleven candidates each, UKIP with eight and the Lib Dems with four candidates.

So let's take a closer look at what's going on in some of the wards...

In Boston Coastal eminent Tories Peter Bedford - the current County Council Chairman is seeking re-election along with Conservative group leader Raymond Singleton-McGuire.

In Fenside - David Owens, who controversially won the first council seat in Lincolnshire for the British National Party, is now standing for the English Democrats. Councillor Sheila Newell steps down as candidate for the BBI which she won in 2007. Instead, she moves to Stanliand South to join husband and fellow councillor Ramonde.

In Fishtoft, Councillors Richard Lenton, portfolio holder for financial management, and Elizabeth Barker stand down for BBI, and only one candidate is now contesting the three seats - Councillor Helen Staples. Helen Sheridan-Shinn the other half of (former) regular Lib Dem candidate Mike Sheridan-Shinn, is standing as an Independent - as is the former long standing Liberal Democrat Ossy Snell.

In Five Villages - Councillor Tony Clarke, who defected from the BBI to Better Boston group, is not seeking re-election. The BBI is standing for both seats, whilst the Tories are fielding just one candidate.

The Frampton and Holme ward sees Better Boston Group Councillor Brian Rush standing as an Independent against UKIP and BBI.

At Old Leake and Wrangle the BBI's John Grant is not fighting the seat.

In the Pilgrim ward - Myles Larrington, who became the borough's youngest Tory Councillor -but who has been a member in absentia since becoming a caseworker for the former Tory leadership contender John Redwood - is not seeking re-election. Mike Sheridan-Shinn, who has stood for the Lib Dems In more than one local election now is standing for Labour.

Skirbeck is the biggest battleground with eleven contenders - there would have been 12 except that one of the three English Democrat contenders got his electoral numbers wrong and his nomination was declared invalid. Former BBI turned Better Boston group Councillor Anne Dorrian is now running as an Independent. Councillor Paddy Rush, who was a fellow defector to the BBG is not seeking re-election after a lacklustre performance from a man who - at the 2007 elections - declared " "I have had a strong interest in politics. I feel that the voice of the younger person within the established parties has not been understood or accommodated until now." Paul Kenny, the borough's prospective parliamentary candidate at the 2005 and 2007 general elections, and an unsuccessful campaigner for several borough and county contests, is standing once again.

In Staniland North BBI Councillor David Lingard waves goodbye, and former BNP activist Spencer Pearson is making the BBI's bid for the seat. Paul Goodale is trying to make a return for Labour having served for both town and county in the past.

In Staniland South - as we've already mentioned, Shelia Newell joins husband Ramonde in the fight for this seat after the withdrawal of fellow BBI Councillor Martin Clarkson. Other contenders include Pam Kenny, wife of Paul, and a former Tory councillor Yvonne Gunter - along with local historian Paul Mould, also fighting for the Tories.

In Swineshead and Holland Fen, the veteran Independent Richard Leggott is back in the fray along with another veteran, Conservative Michael Brookes. Jane Curley - a familiar name to BBI historians - is standing for the Bypassers.

In Boston West - the council's Deputy Leader and portfolio holder for health, Brenda Owen, steps down for the BBI whose new contender is Ian Hill.

There are more goodbyes from the BBI in Witham Ward - where Jim Blaylock, portfolio holder for parks, and Graham Dovey are standing down. Among those seeking election are Mary Wright for the Conservatives - briefly a former leader of Boston Borough Council.

And finally, to Wyberton - where BBI Leader Richard Austin is seeking re-election, as is his one time BBI colleague John Storry who defected to become independent and is seeking re-election under the same banner. Paul Skinner is another former councillor hoping to get back for the Conservatives.

We've cherry picked the list for the bits that you might find especially interesting, and apologise for eany errors or omissions, as this was done burning the midnight oil to make sure you got the analysis as soon as possible.

You can find the full list of candidates for the Borough - and also the parish council elections on the Boston Borough Council website, or by clicking here  to download the details in PDF format.

Here at Boston Eye, we will be following events as best we can over the coming weeks.

Your help would be appreciated in all number of practical ways - copies of local election manifestoes, newsletters ... whatever - you know the sort of thing we mean.

　

You can write to us at boston.eye@googlemail.com  Your e-mails will be treated in confidence and published anonymously if requested.