I know at least a few people who did, despite being absolute chumps with zero real life experience.

Is getting into plolitics the new being in a band? It's sort of the last refuge of the egotist isnt it? Too old to be a professional footballer, too old to be in a band that appeals to the kids, not charismatic enough to be a comedian or an actor = getting involved with politics at a local level.

I'm not saying everyone who gets into politics is an egotist, and I'm sure there's plenty of people who want to engage with issues etc. etc. etc. - just I know a few people who like being the centre of attention who dipped their toe into politics for what seems precisely that sort of reason. The most worrying thing is that a lot of people actually take them seriously.