<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>331452</docID> <postdate>2024-10-21 11:10:20</postdate> <headline>Emerson celebrates city’s ‘strong’ swing to indies</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-329173" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/thomas-emerson-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="619" /></p> <caption>Kurrajong independent candidate Thomas Emerson... "We will continue to watch the count in Yerrabi, hoping that David Pollard secures the seat I believe he deserves."</caption> <p><strong>Independents for Canberra leader Tom Emerson, who was elected to the ACT Assembly at Saturday's election, says its the first time in 26 years the community has elected independents. </strong></p> <p>He was elected in Kurrajong and independent Fiona Carrick in Murrumbidgee.</p> <p>"The weekend’s election results show a strong swing toward independents, and away from the major parties, across the ACT," said Emerson.</p> <p>"The total primary vote for independents at close of counting on Saturday evening was higher than the total primary vote for the ACT Greens – a testament to the efforts of independent candidates and their supporters in every electorate.</p> <p>"Many people said that a party of independents could not work. This result shows that it can. We have also discovered, I believe, that working together while retaining full freedom to express our own authentic voices might be just what people want from politics.</p> <p>"I hoped to see Independents for Canberra candidates get across the line in every electorate, and I am shattered for those who did not, despite their immense efforts and commitment. I am honoured by the positive result we have seen in Kurrajong. We will continue to watch the count in Yerrabi, hoping that David Pollard secures the seat I believe he deserves."</p> <p> </p> </body>