The Coalition of Independents (COI) has declared its performance in the Golden Isles by-election a foundational step toward the 2026 general election, despite failing to secure victory. Party chairman Charlotte Green characterized the contest as a critical learning experience for the fledgling political movement, noting it was only the organization’s second electoral foray and involved numerous first-time political volunteers.
Green emphasized that electoral participation remains essential for building operational capacity, stating: ‘This is the only way you gain experience as a new organization. Many of our participants had never engaged in politics before—they’ve acquired invaluable knowledge that will fuel our campaign into the new year.’
The party identified several procedural concerns during advanced polling, with Green vowing to demand stricter adherence to election laws in future contests. Addressing the notably low voter turnout, Green revealed many COI supporters deliberately abstained from voting, considering the by-election inconsequential compared to the upcoming general election.
‘Many supporters expressed that participating seemed pointless since they believed governmental victory was inevitable,’ Green explained. ‘They’re reserving their energy for 2026 when they believe their vote will truly matter.’
The COI leadership confirmed activist Brian Rolle will remain their standard-bearer for Golden Isles in the next election. Green asserted the by-election results validated the party’s core message of economic empowerment and universal ownership, claiming: ‘The political landscape has fundamentally shifted—traditional parties no longer control the narrative. Our message resonates because we stand without fear or favor.’
Dismissing social media speculation about internal dissent, Green confirmed the party maintains over 500 paid members alongside its council representatives, with no membership calls for leadership changes. ‘We’re still in our developmental phase,’ she noted. ‘For an organization that hasn’t existed for decades, I’m extraordinarily proud of our progress in such limited time.’