Bit disingenuous, no? No updated post since 5 April 2019 …
Proud to be Independent? Seems not.
Category Archives: Independent Councillors
“Millions Of Voters Forced To Choose Between Just Two Parties In Local Elections”
Fortunately, many (real) Independents standing in East Devon.
“Millions of voters will be forced to choose between just two political parties in next week’s local elections despite plummeting support for the Conservatives and Labour, new analysis shows.
More than 2.6m potential voters in 816 council seats across England will face a choice between just two candidates despite nearly half (40%) of the public supporting parties that are not the “big two”, up from 20% in December, according to YouGov polls.
Nearly half of the two-way contests – 56% – will see the Tories and Labour battle it out without any challenge, while a further 20% are Tory-Liberal Democrat battles. …”
Meet your Independent candidate in Honiton tomorrow
Tony McCollum 100% Independent candidate for EDDC will be holding his surgery at the back room of Lace makers cafe tomorrow 10am to 2pm for anyone who would like to speak to him with any of their concerns regarding local issues.
This is because due to bad weather coming in tomorrow the market wont be available to him. Tony is hoping to see you tomorrow as he promised he wanted to give residents the chance to chat with him
THAT question, part 2 …
Comment from retiring Independent councillor Roger Giles on the fact that Councillor Ian Thomas resigned from the Conservative Party on 17 April 2019 but neither he nor the local Conservative Party made this known to the public until yesterday:
“There was, of course, a meeting of the Conservative-run East Devon District Council on 24 April.
The meeting was chaired by Ian Thomas, although he was apparently no longer a member of the Conservative Party.
Nothing was said at the meeting about his changed situation.
I imagine many people at the meeting were unaware of the very strange situation.
I imagine the meeting might have taken a different course had it been generally known.”
Questions about “THAT” resignation … the missing 12 days
“Cllr Thomas said: “With a heavy heart, I confirm my resignation from the Conservative Party on April 17, 2019.”
https://www.sidmouthherald.co.uk/news/ian-thomas-resigns-from-conservative-group-1-6017272
Owl is puzzled.
Why did Councillor Thomas wait until yesterday (a week later) to make this information public?
Was Councillor Thomas aware before 5 April 2019 that he was so disaffected by his party that he might feel the need to resign from it?
If so, why did he not resign before 5 April?
If not, what new information did Councillor Thomas receive between 5 April (when nomination papers had to be officially in for local elections) and 17 April 2019 when he resigned?
What national policies of his former party did Councillor Thomas disagree with that caused him to believe he could not continue in it at local level – what issues was it influencing locally that he disagreed with?
Councillor Thomas is now “Independent” so free from party whipping and completely free to discuss his views on this important topic so that voters in his ward understand what he will do differently in future – and why.
5 days to local elections – today’s pictures
Hot on the heels of the resignation of Tory Leader Ian Thomas to become an “Independent”:
Independents and “Independents ” – Owl’s view
Well, first of all, what a turn up for the books! Esteemed Leader steps down one week before local elections and, with it being too late to change ballot papers, will be described as “Conservative ” while calling himself “Independent”!
One (Well, Owl) has to wonder – why now? If he blames Tory NATIONAL policy for his decision – what is so different about this week compared to last week, or last month or last year? Nothing – it’s been an omnishambles for what seems like forever!
First, let’s tackle him becoming “Independent”.
Owl has already had a LOT to say about Tories opportunistically becoming “Independent” when the going gets tough, it looks like they might lose to REAL Independents but they want to remain comfy councillors. In reality, if on the very unlikely off-chance they win, they then go on to vote EVERY time with Tories. (And, in the case of “Independent” Geoff Pook, even get a Cabinet position or plum Chairmanship. Beer does like to think it is a bit different, but not TOO different!
No, many of these so-called “Independents” are nothing but panicking Tories either (a) wanting to distance themselves from a bloodbath (b) wanting to distance themselves from the former party in case they are not in the majority and EDDC’s books get opened to the former opposition or (c) Both.
Of course, Councillor Thomas may be telling it as he sees it. But surely, in that case, if you are disaffected with your party at national level, but you are deep-down a Conservative, the right and proper thing to do is to stay in it and effect change from the bottom up.
It hardly seems a ‘Damascene Conversion’ at this point. It seems more like someone seeing a ship sinking and seeing no alternative way of getting off it.
Just remember – REAL Independents have:
A TRACK RECORD OF REAL INDEPENDENCE
STANDING ON A PLATFORM OF DEMOCRACY, ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY IN COUNCIL BUSINESS
EMBEDDED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AS INDEPENDENTS AND BEING KNOWN FOR FIGHTING THEIR COMMUNITY’S CORNER
POLICIES THAT ARE DIFFERENT – REALLY DIFFERENT – TO THE MAINSTREAM PARTIES BECAUSE THEY ARE DIFFERENT!
FIGHTING CONSTANTLY ON LOCAL ISSUES – COMMUNITY HOSPITALS, NHS, OVER-DEVELOPMENT, REAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING, EDUCATION, ANTI-ASSET STRIPPING, PRESERVATION OF PUBLIC OPEN SPACES, NOT PUTTING BUSINESS PARKS IN THE WRONG PLACES, OR ROADS IN WRONG PLACES (WITH THE WRONG DEVELOPERS), FINANCIAL PROBITY …. PEOPLE BEFORE POLITICS
AND – ASKING THE AWKWARD QUESTIONS AND NOT BEING FOBBED OFF BY NON-ANSWERS
No, Councillor Thomas is an “Independent” not an INDEPENDENT!
Finally, Owl leaves you with its recent musings:
https://eastdevonwatch.org/2019/04/18/some-tories-dont-appear-to-know-where-they-live/
EDDC Leader deserts sinking ship one week before elections to become “Independent”!
For Owl’s reaction, see the post coming shortly above this one!
“Shock as leader of East Devon District Council quits the Conservative Party
Cllr Ian Thomas, who represents the Trinity ward, became leader of the council last May
The leader of East Devon District Council has quit the Conservative Party.
Cllr Ian Thomas, who represents the Trinity ward, became leader of the council last May. But just days before the whole of the council is up for election, Cllr Thomas has confirmed he is no longer a member of the Conservative Party.
He has resigned as leader of the East Devon District Council Conservative Group, but he remains as the leader of the council, until either the Annual Meeting on May 22, if he is re-elected to the council, and not elected as the leader. If not re-elected on May 2, Cllr Thomas has said he will step down on May 3.
In his resignation statement sent exclusively to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, 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 and work as hard as he can to ensure delivers the services Axmouth, Combpyne-Rousdon and Uplyme residents want and value, in a caring, open and transparent environment.
Cllr Thomas said: “With a heavy heart, I confirm my resignation from the Conservative Party on April 17, 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 May 22, if re-elected; otherwise I will step down on May 3.
“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 confirms that should I be honoured by re-election, I will sit as an Independent Councillor not aligned to any political party or group, with this simple aim. 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.”
Cllr Thomas was first elected to the council in 2009 and has represented the Trinity ward ever since. He became leader of the council last May after Cllr Paul Diviani stepped down following seven years in the role.
Also standing In the Trinity ward in the elections is Labour candidate Sarah Birnie. Although Cllr Thomas has resigned from the Conservative Party and will sit as an Independent if elected, he will be listed as a Conservative on ballot papers as they have already been printed and sent out to those who have requested a postal vote.
At present, the Conservatives have control of the council, with 32 seats, following Cllr Thomas’s resignation from the Group. The Independent Group are the official opposition, with 14 councillors, while the Liberal Democrats hold seven seats with five further Independents, including Cllr Thomas, making up the 58 councillors.
Due to ward boundary changes, there will be 60 councillors elected on May 2, although three councillors have already been elected.
Mike Howe, as the only candidate in the Clyst Valley ward, and Steve Gazzard and Brenda Taylor as the only two candidates in the Exmouth Withycombe Raleigh ward, will be elected unopposed on May 2.”
https://www.devonlive.com/news/shock-leader-east-devon-district-2798046
8 days to local elections – today’s picture
East Devon mainstream parties have their party machines and party money behind them (just don’t ask where the money comes from). Independents operate on tiny shoestring donations from local people – or subsidise their campaigns from their own pockets – plus enthusiastic local supporters giving their time for free. Every board you see for an independent (in a garden or near a road) is produced by local people for people supporting local candidates.
“Smaller parties have a surprisingly big impact on British politics”
” … Small parties are the backbone of our democracy. They force the mainstream to do more and to do it better, whether that’s a green new deal, shared parental rights or the chance to remain in Europe.
One of the most damaging effects of Brexit would be to remove the only England-wide election that uses proportional voting to give space to new ideas. That will make it easier for the two main parties to dominate, even as their popularity plummets. Wherever small parties don’t run, we all lose. …”
9 days to local elections – today’s picture
Independent groups have sprung up all over the south-west – there must be a reason …..
You know it makes sense – and so do an awful lot of other people!
“Beware far-right candidates posing as ‘independents’ in local elections” [or even as Tories] …
This is in Yorkshire but may easily have East Devon parallels. And in East Devon, you also have to cope with Tories calling themselves Independent too!
Check credentials – REAL Independents will have a good track record of community action over a long period – not just since the last election!
Leader of large district council explains why he’s not standing as a Tory this time: party-political tribalism at its worst
“York council leader Ian Gilles is not standing for re-election on May 2. He told STEPHEN LEWIS why
IAN Gillies has never been one to mince his words. But the former policeman turned Tory leader of City of York Council has to bite his tongue to keep his frustration about the state of local politics from spilling over.
Owl says: BUT this is the kind of I dependent to be Very wary of! if there is a REAL i dependent to vote for – no brainer!
“It can be very tribal,” he says. “Very… challenging.”
We’ve met over coffee to talk about his reasons for deciding not to stand in next month’s council elections: a decision which means that, from May 2, he won’t even be a city councillor, let alone council leader.
He took over as leader of a fractious Tory/ Liberal Democrat ruling coalition early last year, when previous Tory council leader David Carr sensationally quit the Conservative Party, accusing some within the council’s Conservative group of committing an ‘act of betrayal’ against him.
Cllr Carr is one of a number of former Tory councillors who will be standing as an independent on May 2. But it’s not exactly all sweetness and light in the city’s other political parties, either. Former Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors will also be standing as independents this time around.
Cllr Gillies, a former Conservative group leader and one-time Lord Mayor, was clearly seen as a safe pair of hands when he took over as head of the Tory group and as council leader last year.
But, while he insists he’s perfectly willing to try to work with members of other political groups in the interests of getting things done, he admits it has been hard work.
“The Liberal Democrats are not natural bedfellows for us,” he says. “And the situation in my own group has been very challenging.”
He says that when he took over as group and council leader last year, he intimated to other group members that it would only be until the next election.
But it is clear his frustrations run deep.
A couple of years ago he even thought of setting up a new centrist party in York, so as to escape some of the traditional party tribalism and infighting. It would have been effectively a collection of independents – none of them ‘extremists’ – whose viewpoints were similar enough for them to work together to get things through, he says.
That never happened, and he ended up leading the Tory group again and becoming council leader.
But he has begun to seriously question whether party politics should have a place in local government.
“Do we really need political parties in local government? No. I’m a Conservative: that’s what I am. But as far as this city is concerned, what matters is what is best for the city. Whipped party politics (ie a system where councillors have to obey their party line) isn’t really necessary in a local environment.”
What you need, he says, is intelligent, able people from all kinds of backgrounds who are willing to work together to get things done. “Is that Utopian? I don’t see why. You’d still have debates and arguments. But it wouldn’t be so tribal.”
Party politics isn’t the only thing that has frustrated him to the point of persuading him not to stand again, however.
The glacial pace of the move towards Yorkshire devolution has also got to him.
He places the blame for that squarely at the feet of Whitehall.
Sheffield has gone its own merry way. But council leaders in Leeds, Bradford, North Yorkshire and York all want to have a single tier of government for Yorkshire, with an elected mayor at its head, he says.
That would mean more money for the region – and more powers for regional decision-making on things such as transport. Yorkshire could become a real financial powerhouse. “I want that for Yorkshire and for York,” he says.
A proposal for such such a devolved regional government is now sitting with the Treasury. But the government has been slow to respond, and keeps drip-feeding suggestions that it would prefer smaller devolved authorities, such as one for West Yorkshire and one for York and North Yorkshire, he says.
He believes there’s only one reason for that. A regional government made up of West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, York and Humberside combined would have a population bigger than Scotland, he points out. “I think the government is scared of the size of Yorkshire.” …
And what about the prospects for York Conservatives at the election?
He chooses his words carefully. “I don’t want to decry them,” he says. “But I think there will be a lot of people who won’t vote in the local elections.” Who knows? in other words.
His own part in local politics is over, at least for now. And once he ceases to be a councillor and council leader, he will also give up his place on various other local and regional bodies – as a director of the York BID, for example, and as vice-chair of Transport for the North. But he’s not ruling out a return to public life altogether. …”
Why vote Independent in local elections?
A response to today’s post on retiring EDDC Councillor Roger Giles:
“When I first moved to OSM and had a leaflet from Roger through the letterbox, I could tell immediately that he was the best councillor you needed no money to buy. I voted for him without any hesitation, and I have never been disappointed in the decision.
(Ditto for Claire Wright but that is another story.)
More importantly it was also the beginning of a journey for me, to understand what genuinely Independent councillors do that makes them so different from the Party clones, and to understand the depths of the dodgy behaviour perpetrated by EDDC’s Conservative / Liberal Democrat regime.
Unfortunately I have now moved away, but I do hope that Roger’s shoes are filled by a new crop of fiercely independent-minded Independent councillors who will fight for the rights and needs of local residents against the elite powers-that-be and who will continue Roger’s fight to shine a spotlight and hold the council leadership to account on both the decisions made by them and the process by which those decisions are reached.
To anyone considering standing as a genuine Independent in any of the roles Roger has until now held, I urge you to take the plunge – the last thing East Devon / Devon needs is yet another Conservative / Liberal Democrat clone who will vote as directed in a totally non-critical brain-dead manner.
To anyone voting, equally I urge you to AVOID candidates from the national parties (or indeed any candidates who until recently were associated with national parties and who have decided to stand as Independents even though we can see through this ploy) and to support your genuinely INDEPENDENT candidate.”
17 days to local elections – today’s picture
Independent candidates are not tied to national party politics:
Politics: when your (very recent) past comes back to bite you
And why Independents make sense – no party line, no whipping.
“Activists for political parties are hardy souls.
They’re used to braving the elements, leafleting and door knocking in the depths of midwinter and encountering the uninterested, the unruly and even the odd bloodthirsty dog.
But from conversations I’ve been having with councillors and council candidates from both main parties over the past few days, all campaigning for next month’s local elections, the reaction they’ve received this time round has been of a quite different order.
The Tories, most of all, are in abject despair with many believing they are heading for the drubbing of their lives.
One, a local chairman from Essex, told me that his prime minister’s actions represent “an absolute betrayal of the British people”.
He told me: “Next month’s elections are going to be absolutely pivotal – we are going to get absolutely hammered.
“We are struggling to get anyone to deliver leaflets, even members of our executive don’t want to go out.”
This theme of Conservatives being unable to turn out their own members was commonplace across the country.
One exasperated Tory councillor told me: “Every association I’ve spoken to are struggling to get their members out.
“Members are saying, why should I get s*** on the doorstep and doors slammed in my face when I’m as angry as they are?”
Most are unequivocal: they blame Theresa May and want her to go. “It isn’t just six weeks of incompetence, it’s two and a half years.”
But this isn’t just a rejection of the Tory party and Theresa May, the backlash extends to Labour too.
I’ve spoken to a score of Labour councillors from up and down the country who are deeply concerned about the reaction they’re getting. …”
20 days to local elections: today’s picture
This image below shows current planning issues at Greendale Business Park – many of which have been allowed, or allowed to drag on, by EDDC Tory councillors who form the majority decision-makers in “planning” and planning “enforcement” (those inverted commas are there deliberately!). Many of Greendale’s planning applications have been approved retrospectively.
Independent Councillor Geoff Jung works tirelessly (in the face of great difficulty) to try to ensure that Greendale stays within its proper boundaries – but it is a never-ending task:
“Tory council candidates list their party as ‘Local Conservatives’ in an attempt to separate themselves from Theresa May’s leadership”
Owl says: beware – some even try to get away with calling themselves Independent – or in at least one case at the last local election – Independent Conservative! REAL Independents bow to no party whip! And if you are ashamed of your party – leave it!
“TORY council candidates have listed their party as ‘Local Conservatives’ in a bid to “detoxify” themselves from Theresa May’s leadership, The Sun can reveal.
The party faces losing control of councils across the country due to the failure to deliver Brexit on time and Mrs May’s decision to enter cross-party talks with Jeremy Corbyn.
Nomination papers submitted by candidates – seen by The Sun – reveal that many local Tory associations hope to escape voters’ anger over Brexit by listing their party on ballot papers for the May 2 local elections as ‘Local Conservatives’.
A Tory MP who handed over a copy of Lincolnshire’s nomination papers said their candidates are listed as ‘local Conservatives’ “because they think Westminster associations are now so toxic”.
Among those who are using the ‘Local Conservatives’ tag are Richard Wright, who is head of the Lincolnshire Area Conservative party.
Terry Boston, who is fighting the Ruskintgon Ward in North Kesteven District Council elections next month, has also avoided using the national party’s name in next month’s elections. …”
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/brexit/8812134/theresa-may-tory-council-candidates/
Not registered to vote in local election on 2 May? Do it NOW – never was your vote needed more
If you don’t want “more of the same” fusty, mostly male, mostly old Tory councillors and you haven’t registered to vote, please do – it takes less than 5 minutes. And you could change East Devon by voting for Independents!
“The deadline is looming for people to register to vote in upcoming town, parish and district council elections.
Residents who are not already registered at their current address have until midnight on Friday, April 12, to be able to vote in the elections taking place in May.
On Thursday, May 2, registered voters will go to the polls to have their say on who will represent them on their town, parish and district councils.
Mark Williams, electoral registration officer for East Devon said: “These elections are an opportunity to make your voice heard and have a say on who represents you on issues that directly affect your day-to-day life.
“If you recently turned 18 or moved home, it is particularly important that you act to ensure that you are registered to vote.
“It takes just five minutes online and means that you can take part in this important election.”
The deadline for applications to vote by post is also approaching at 5pm on Monday, April 15. To request a postal vote ring 01395 571529.
https://www.exmouthjournal.co.uk/news/east-devon-elections-vote-registration-deadline-1-5959793
So, who do you believe?
Scarily similar to East Devon! Maybe we should twin!
“Nick Meekins, mayor from 2010-11, has aligned himself with a group of former Tories who are to challenge for seats on Fenland District Council as independents.
Mr Meekins, who also wants to return to Wisbech Town Council, said those who had already left the Tory Party “confirmed my decision because the reasons they cited for leaving were almost identical to my thoughts”
He said: “I don’t think my opinions of the Tory leadership on Wisbech and Fenland Council should come as a surprise to anyone who reads the local press.
“In my view there are a small group of uber Tories who dominate the party locally, holding as they do key positions and ruling by selecting sycophants as candidates and threatening deselection to any Tory who may not completely toe the line, and being abusive/aggressive to non-Tory councillors.”
He said so far as Wisbech Town Council was concerned he felt it was a “poor decision and against professional advice” to take over Wisbech Castle.
Taking over public toilets and closing some of them was wrong, he said, and support for “hare brained schemes” was another issue. He cited the water clock and children’s playground for the market and the glass ‘watchtower’ in High Street as projects he disagreed with.
“Surely the town council should be working at realistic schemes that come within their remit that will actually benefit the town,” he said.
He also criticised “a Tory biased questionnaire using the town council staff to publish it. This is probably illegal” and “disrespecting the Union Flag” over the town hall as another reason.
Mr Meekins said he remained angry over the funeral last year of former mayor Patrick O’Dell when the town council did not send a representative.
At the time town clerk Terry Jordan said: “The council received no notification of any funeral arrangements. Notice of the funeral was given simply by way of a public notice in a local newspaper.”
He added: “I am fairly sure that the majority of the current Wisbech town councillors, who did not serve on the council at the same time as him, would not have known Mr O’Dell. Those who had served with him could make their own decision as to whether to attend the funeral.”
Cllr Steve Tierney, who is co-ordinating publicity for the Tory local election campaign, dismissed the rise of the independents – and others -in a blog he published at the weekend.
“Well it’s that time again,” he wrote. “The time when we all go out and ask people to come vote for us.
“The time when the opposition and the Usual Suspects start sneering, lying and slating the Conservatives – while claiming that it is the other way around. “The time when the Wisbech Standard begins its weekly campaign to get somebody, anybody, elected who isn’t a Conservative.
“The time when people nobody has seen in their ward for the last four years turn up and start pretending that they are a better alternative than the people who work all year around.” [Too true – but this applies to individuals of ALL parties!]
He added: “Never mind. The sun is shining. The air is fresh. And the people I am meeting in my ward as I canvass are very pleasant and very positive.
“I have every faith that the people in Wisbech broadly know the truth, no matter what smears the collective opposition try to run with.
“As ever, it will be what it will be. We shall see.
“See you all soon, on the doorstep. Looking forward to it!”
East Devon Watch 