David wrote

I'm finding it very hard to select a candidate to vote for.

Your vote is completely irrelevant to the result.

The choice of party might be slightly easier (though not as a
positive thing) but the local candidate obviously doesn't have
an effective media adviser and all the publicity photos scream
"Don't trust your child (or pet, or...) to this person!".

We don't have a "None of the Above" option on the ballot paper.

You do actually. Just dont vote for any of those on the ballot paper.

If I had started earlier (with the time, money, inclination)
I could have formed the None of the Above party.

I doubt they would have allowed that party name.

No manifesto.
No promises at all of any kind.
No campaigning.
Just someone local with enough cash to pay the
deposit and get the party name on the ballot paper.

See above.

This would provide an avenue for a pure protest vote

You've always had that.

without having to tick Monster Raving Loony and the like.

I haven't worked out yet what would happen should a party
member be elected, not how to police the "no manifesto, no
campaigning" rule but a small price to pay for real(ish) democracy.

Cheers

Dave R

PM in waiting.

Best not hold your breath.

On the other hand...