An Independent councillor, particularly one whose record is sound and service long, could be forgiven for taking it personally. I think that is a mistake, though there can be exceptions. In my own case, I have had the electoral good fortune to have served during a time when Conservatives have been reluctant to put their heads above the parapet, even in a largely Conservative ward. My opponents included a single Conservative for the first time in 2003, who promptly consigned me to third place. I was well aware that I should struggle to do better than fourth (ie first also-ran) in 2007. So I have no regrets and do not take anything personally. This is the nature of the political process.
Elections look forward, not back. Ones record cuts little ice when the electorate's mood changes. This is the first time since 1987, when I was unknown, that I have competed against two good Conservative candidates as well as a hugely popular Independent who has held his seat continuously since the 1970s. His 1051 votes attest to this, and quite right, too. I was defeated by a similar margin (from memory, about 75) in 1987, so this outcome was not a surprise. In a sense, one could say that my record since 1991, when I was first elected to WDBC, has earned me the 26 votes by which my margin of defeat narrowed this time, compared with 1987 - about 1.6 votes for each of the 16 years.
I am content with that.