Budleigh and Raleigh (three seats)
Alan Dent (Conservative) – 1,112 ELECTED
Pete Duke (Green Party) – 971
Brigitte Graham (UKIP) – 518
Patsy Hayman (Conservative) – 982
Paul Jarvis (Independent) – 1,187 ELECTED
Penny Lewis (Liberal Democrats) – 907
Thomas Wright (Conservative) – 999 ELECTED
Category Archives: Independent Councillors
EDA’s Paul Hayward wins Diviani’s old seat – Yarty
All three seats fall to Independents in Ottery St Mary – Paul Carter loses seat
Vicky Johns (Independent) – 1501 ELECTED
Margaret Anne Piper (Conservative) – 245
Geoff Pratt (Independent) – 1044 ELECTED
Harv Sethi (Independent) – 422
Paul Richard Carter (Conservative) – 477
Anne Edwards (Conservative) – 428
Peter Hamilton Faithfull (Independent) – 878 ELECTED
Luke Gray (Labour) – 381
3 out of 3 Cranbrook succesful candidates – Independent
Very low turnout compared to other areas. Yet to find out if Independent or “Independent” …
Woodbury and Lympstone – resounding wins for 2 Independents!
Woodbury and Lympstone (two seats)
William Carter (Conservative) – 383
Ben Ingham (Independent) – 1,453 ELECTED
Geoff Jung (Independent) – 1,396 ELECTED
Cheryl McGauley (Conservative) – 432
Exmouth Halsdon – 2 Independents and a Green! Jill Elson out!
40 years a Tory councillor – Jill Elson comes a trailing 4th out of 8 and is not elected!
What a comment on Tories in Exmouth!
Exmouth Halsdon (three seats)
Megan Armstrong (Independent) – 1,293 ELECTED
Jill Marion Elson (Conservative) – 475
Tony Hill (Conservative) – 380
Paul Millar (Independent) – 1,140 ELECTED
Pauline Stott (Conservative) – 447
Andrew Toye (Liberal Democrats) – 289
Brian Toye (Liberal Democrats) – 260
Tony Woodward (Green Party) – 647 ELECTED
BOTH Independents elected in Exmouth Brixington
Not sure why recounted 3 times as margins clear for 3 elected – shoulder chips? Sorry getting Brixington and Litleham mixed up. Stir crazy …
Exmouth Brixington (three seats)
Brian Bailey (Liberal Democrats) – 467
Bruce De Saram (Conservative) – 606 ELECTED
Keith Edwards (Labour) – 328
Nick Hookway (Independent) – 996 ELECTED
Ono Olmedo (Liberal Democrats) – 477
David Poor (Liberal Democrats) – 434
Alan Whipps (Conservative) – 536
Joy Whipps (Conservative) – 534
Chris Wright (Independent) – 1,071 ELECTED
Independent wins Honiton St Pauls!
Interesting only ONE vote separated the two Conservative candidates, one of whom got the second seat!
Theresa May’s council gets Indie shock! 9 Indies get seats!
“The Conservatives secured a narrow majority as the local elections saw a huge shake-up in the Royal Borough.
The Tories were elected to 23 out of 41 available seats, followed by the Lib Dems with nine, The Borough First with three, West Windsor Residents Association with three, Old Windsor Residents Association with two and the National Flood Prevention Party with one councillor. …”
Indies making more gains in Teignbridge
After row about new ward boundaries:
https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/teignbridge-refute-claims-ward-boundaries-2826252
Essex district council Tory majority slashed from 25 to 1 by Independent wins!
Oh, oh … sign of things to come …?
Maldon District Council (Essex) saw a 25-seat majority slashed to just one by gains of Independents from Tories!
All to play for at EDDC … good news for Independents and Greens elsewhere in Devon
Count starts at 10 am … results early afternoon … perhaps … our Electoral officer isn’t the best organiser of these things …
Good luck to Independents!
The only true independent in Exeter won a seat from Labour. Standing on a single issue of loss of a sports centre and public open space – majority of over 300 votes. Greens and Lib Dems agreed not to stand against her.
Greens got their first seat ever in North Devon.
Lib Dems hold balance of power in Torbay where the role of Mayor was abolished by referendum. Tory incumbent enormously disliked.
Labour held on to Plymouth, gaining one seat from Tories, an unexpected boost for Labour which had been expecting more of a drubbing. Two independents were successful in Shiphay ward.
“How Morecambe’s independents set a trend for local elections”
Today Morcambe Bay, tomorrow East Devon – just vote Independent today!
“… The MBI (Morcambe Bay Independents) was formed in 1987 after a group of local residents were ignored by the town’s mainly Tory councillors when they asked to discuss a way forward for the resort following its steady decline since the 1970s.
After a few teething problems, the group went on to take control of Lancaster city council in 1995. They ran the council with a cabinet made up of MBIs, Conservatives, Greens and Liberal Democrats. Labour refused to take their cabinet seats.
New sea defences were built, the books were balanced and art installations were approved, including the Eric Morecambe statue. However, the party took a big hit in 2015 and lost control of the council.
The MBI leader, Geoff Knight, said: “Unfortunately our fortunes depend heavily on whether national or regional elections are taking place on the same day – as local elections are often overshadowed, severely affecting the independent vote. As a consequence we were reduced to two councillors in 2015.”
This time it has fielded 29 candidates in the Lancaster council election and another 25 for Morecambe town council. Its aim is to loosen the grip of the current Labour administration. Labour leads with 31 seats against an opposition of 29 councillors, made up of 17 Conservatives, eight Greens, two MBIs and two non-aligned independents.
A similar story is unfolding across the country, from Lincolnshire to Cheshire East, where unprecedented numbers of independent candidates are standing.
“Nationally, Morecambe Bay Independents are viewed as a model of how you can get into the council and make things happen. You get a lot more influence on the council,” Knight said.
“People have always belonged to a party – it’s very tribal. But a lot of time is taken up talking about issues which have nothing to do with Morecambe – it’s party politics. We have already shown what can be achieved when minority parties rule. During the four-year period we had control of the council, an awful lot was done. Politics was kept off the agenda.”
Report on Sidmouth hustings
[Mr Venner – Conservative candidate – appears to say in a comment on a previous post that he was not invited. He might want to take this up with his agent or constituency office as there may be some crossed wires there somewhere]
“The hustings in Sidmouth went well last night:
Futures Forum: Sidmouth Town and District council elections > HUSTINGS event > political speed dating
To quote a commentator:
“I thought it was a good convivial event which achieved its purpose for voters who attended. It was good to see the candidates being engaged and convivial with each other, and all in all I think the event was worthwhile, contributing to an awareness of the upcoming elections and the importance of voting.”
There is further lively comment happening on the East Devon Watch blog:
Tories no-show at Sidmouth hustings last night | East Devon Watch
The organisers of the event were at pains to contact all the candidates.
- All current Councillors who are standing in contested wards were contacted.
- However some of the other candidates did not have email addresses readily available.
- The following agents, political parties and representative groups were contacted with the request that the invitation to the hustings be passed on:
- Devon UKIP: local agent
- East Devon Conservative Party: office@eastdevonconservatives.org
- East Devon Labour Party: local agent
- East Devon Liberal Democrats: info@eastdevonlibdems.org.uk
- Independent East Devon Alliance: info@eastdevonalliance.com
- Sid Valley Democracy: sidvalleydem@gmail.com
- Otherwise, letters of invitation were sent to those with no such contact address or party/group affiliation.
- The following candidates sent in their apologies:
- Stuart Hughes (District Conservative; Town Independent)
- Ian McKenzie Edwards (Town)
- Louise Thompson (Town Independent)
- Jenny Ware (District Conservative; Town Independent)
- Otherwise, several candidates did not attend or send in apologies, despite their agents, political parties and representative groups being contacted.
Here is more information about the candidates:
Futures Forum: Sidmouth Town and District council elections > HUSTINGS event > Tuesday 30th April > candidates’ manifestos
Finally, it was noted that several members of the public popped into the Hall to ‘have a look’ but did not want to venture in – feeling either that ‘there was no point in voting’ or that ‘all politicians are corrupt/useless/a waste of time’…
Let’s hope that voters do nevertheless turn up tomorrow on voting day.”
https://futuresforumvgs.blogspot.com/2019/05/sidmouth-town-and-district-council.html
Independent Councillor Susie Bond (Feniton) on her canvassing experiences
“FURY against Conservatives and Labour … and I mean FURY! One man said today that he would never ever vote Tory again! One bloke said we were all corrupt on EDDC given the huge cars we drive. Asked him if he lived in the village and he said No, so bid him farewell! Otherwise, lots of support from very many kind people.
Kathy McLauchlan (www.facebook.com/kathyindie) is working really hard in Whimple & Rockbeare and getting lots of positive comments on the doorstep.
Jess Bailey is a force to be reckoned with in West Hill & Aylesbeare … it’s a joy to watch her in action! She is a West Hill parish councillor and I worked with her when she was the independent representative for the town council on EDDC’s Standards Committee a couple of years ago. Utterly brilliant. She performed fantastically at the Hustings. There are so many great Independents waiting to start working hard for East Devon, but sadly not Cllr Roger Giles …”
Source: Claire Wright Facebook page comment
“New Statesman” magazine tips Independents to give EDDC Tories a scare tomorrow …
Stephen Bush column in the current “New Statesman” political magazine talking about what to look out for in 2019 elections:
” … Ooh, there’s a lot going on here. The fun one is East Devon, where in the parliamentary seat Claire Wright, an independent, has a fighting chance of winning ahead of the Conservatives. The local battle is largely between Conservatives and independents, so keep an eye on that. …”
https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/elections/2019/04/what-look-out-2019-local-elections?
3 days to local elections – today’s pictures
Today our theme is developers, affordable housing and housing in general.
Did you know that EDDC has overperformed on the housing delivery test set by the government by 50%?
The government set East Devon a target of 1,762 homes to be built in 2018 whereas the number actually built was 2,632 – more than 900 extra, very, very few of which were “affordable” (see pictures below about that!).
Persimmon is making £73,000 per HOUSE profit, Taylor Woodrow £68,000 per HOUSE. Help to Buy is adding £33,000 to the price of new houses for first time buyers.
EDDC has been developer-led for YEARS because Conservative housing policies were designed by them and most major housebuilders are donors to the Conservative Party.
How to stop this? Vote Independent. Break the chain.
all this talk of a lack of affordable housing is exaggerated, i know, i’ve got six!
Affordable Housing Estate Agents – ‘It’s affordable if you’re rich…’
Designated area of outstanding natural profitability.
“Well one step down from our ‘Luxury Executive Mansion’ is our ‘crap terrace with outside loo’.”
New Planning Body in beauty spot – ‘Nice spot for our HQ…’
Can you be TRULY independent if you agree with EVERYTHING the Tories are doing locally?
Ian Thomas has updated his website (though it still has a Tory blue background.
In his statement, he says:
“… My decision was in no way related to the excellent case being presented by East Devon District Council Conservatives in the pre-election period. Theirs is an outstanding presentation based on the performance delivered by a capable and experienced Conservative led team.
It rather reflects deep disappointment in the performance of the Party elsewhere. …”
Can he REALLY then call himself Independent?
The full statement:
“With a heavy heart, I confirm my resignation from the Conservative Party on 17th April 2019.
My decision was in no way related to the excellent case being presented by East Devon District Council Conservatives in the pre-election period. Theirs is an outstanding presentation based on the performance delivered by a capable and experienced Conservative led team.
It rather reflects deep disappointment in the performance of the Party elsewhere.
I have resigned the leadership of the East Devon District Council Conservative Group but, remain Leader of the Council until the Annual Meeting on 22nd May, if re-elected; otherwise I will step down on 3rd May.
I am arranging that all 2,192 electors in my home Trinity Ward receive a personal letter, hand delivered by my team and me. This explains that should I be honoured by re-election, I will sit as an Independent Councillor not aligned to any political party or group.
To ensure that East Devon District Council delivers the services Axmouth, Combpyne-Rousdon and Uplyme residents want and value, in a caring, open and transparent environment.
Please note; as my resignation dates from after the closure of nominations, your ballot paper on May 2nd will still identify me as representing the Conservative Party. It is not possible to change how this is displayed, however I confirm that, should I be re-elected to serve Trinity I will immediately do so as an Independent Councillor, not aligned to any political party or group.
Ian”
“Independent lite” or Independent – a question
Local people who registered as truly Independent candidates on 5 April or well before can generally be judged by prior actions, sometimes over many years. Involvement in, and fighting for, local issues and supporting no party and therefore no party whip or party line. They have never (or perhaps only a very long, long time ago) been in a mainstream party. They deliberately eschewed party politics to focus only on local issues.
“Independent Lites” on the other hand have had long track records of supporting mainstream parties up to now.
This raises the question – if you were, up to now, Tory, Labour or Lib Dem councillor or candidate but you are now “Independent Lite” what are your political beliefs NOW?
What are you “Independent Lite” of and what do you still support in your former party? You went into politics under their banner and their policies by choice – not wanting to be an Independent – what has changed?
If you were a Tory and changed your mind are you now to the left or right of your former party? Are you, for example, leaning more towards UKIP or even further right but not yet ready to join them?
If you were Labour – are you similarly now further to the left or right of your party and on which issues? What effect do you think they had locally to change your stance now.
If you have left Lib Dems or Greens what parts of their policies did you disagree with that made you leave?
It strikes Owl that “Independent Lites” need to provide us with a lot more information about WHY they have changed allegiance before we can decide if they truly are Independent.
It will be SO interesting to see where some of these “Independent Lites” place themselves on the political spectrum and on local issues after 2 May!
Some of them are so used to being whipped they may feel an overwhelming need to continue it!
Tory EDDC Leader defection goes national (on a pro-Lib Dem website)
“Very odd timing for this news about the now former Conservative leader of East Devon Council, Ian Thomas:
The leader of East Devon District Council has quit the Conservative Party…
Cllr Thomas blamed the performance of the Party nationally for his departure and emphasised it had nothing to do with local issues.
He also added that if re-elected, he will sit as an Independent. [Devon Live].
What makes the timing so odd is that this has come after his nomination papers went in… with the Conservative Party name and logo.
Ian Thomas is therefore still appearing on ballot papers as the Conservative Party candidate.”
Conservative council leader leaves it oddly late to quit his party
East Devon Watch 