Press Release

‘Unethical’ Midlands MPs face independent challenge

The Midlands is the most enthusiastic part of the UK to see independent candidates take on MPs who have behaved unethically.

The region topped a ComRes survey when four out of five voters (81%) said independents should stand against tainted MPs.

The survey also indicated that the majority of voters in the Midlands (54%) will seriously consider voting for an independent candidate and almost two out of three (63%) said British democracy would be strengthened if there were more independent MPs.

The survey confirms that trust in political parties is at an all time low.

Expenses fury propels independents

Political party MPs from the Midlands have been responsible for some of the worst abuses of the expenses saga, which has tainted parliament across party lines, fuelling support for the independent alternative.

The Midlands already has England’s only independent MP and now a record number are looking to join him at Westminster.

Dr. Richard Taylor was elected in Wyre Forest by a landslide in 2001 and went on to become the only independent MP who has been re-elected since 1949.

Former independent MP, Martin Bell, is determined to see more independents elected from the Midlands by supporting the Independent Network, a non-profit organisation that provides support to candidates who are not members of political parties.

“Richard Taylor did it in Wyre Forest,” said Bell. “So why can't it also happen in Mansfield; Leicester East; and Melton and Rutland?"

Over a quarter of the candidates endorsed by the Independent Network are standing in the Midlands.

Among the shocking claims by Midlands political party MPs were flatscreen TVs, pornography, luxury wallpaper and helipad hedge trimming.

The Independent Network

Bell has given his backing to the Independent Network, a non-profit organisation that provides support to candidates who are not members of political parties.

The Independent Network has laid down the Bell Principles for independent candidates, which are thought to be the first set of conduct guidelines created by a political organisation for its affiliated candidates and representatives.

Bell Principles are designed to bring honesty and integrity back into politics by influencing the conduct, but not the policies of independent candidates.

“The swing voter is tired of monkeying around,” says Brian Ahearne, Director of the Independent Network. “A vote for the status quo is a wasted vote. The only alternative to political parties is to vote for an independent candidate who can properly represent the opinions of Midlands constituents, guided by considered evidence, their real world experience and expertise, their constituencies and their consciences, not a political party, pressure group or whip. The electorate must not be confused into believing that their vote is for a leader or political party, when in fact on May 6th they will be voting for a local constituency MP.”

Independent candidates in the Midlands

The Independent Network has endorsed 12 candidates in the Midlands. Their names, constituencies that they are running in and web addresses are as follows.

Alan Graves, Derby South www.wix.com/alangraves/alangraves

Andre Camilleri, Mansfield www.mansfieldmp.com

Gary Walker, Lincoln www.modernleader.co.uk

Jonathon Salt, Huntingdon www.jonathansalt.co.uk

Leigh Higgins, Rutland and Melton www.independentnetwork.org.uk/candidates/leigh-higgins

Luke Wilkins, Erewash www.lukeforerewash.org.uk

Marianne Overton, Sleaford and North Hykeham www.independentvoice.org.uk

Mike Parsons, Crewe and Nantwich http://michaelparsonsindependent.blogspot.com

Paul Edwards, Congleton www.independentnetwork.org.uk/candidates/paul-edwards

Paul Swansborough, Redditch www.paulswansborough.co.uk

Sarah Flannery, Tatton www.sarahflannery4tatton.co.uk

Tony Clarke, Northampton South www.northamptonindependentvoice.org.uk

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Notes to Editors:

For more information please visit: www.independentnetwork.org.uk  Alternatively you can contact the press office at 020 7609 1900

The Independent Network is a loose non-profit association that provides support to Prospective Parliamentary Candidates who do not belong to a political party. The Independent Network was set up to provide support for independent candidates, as no other organisation existed to support them.

Independent candidates do not have access to a large national party structure with its human and financial resources.  The Independent Network was formed to attend to this inequality and continues to encourage the electorate to acknowledge the success and influence that independents are having in local Government and can have in Parliament.

The Independent Network does not impose any political views on the individuals and parties it supports or that support the Independent Network. However, affiliates of the Independent Network must be non-racist and non-discriminatory and adhere to The Bell Principles.

The Bell Principles require that all endorsed independent candidates:

• abide wholeheartedly by the spirit and letter of the Seven Principles of Public Life set out by Lord Nolan in 1995: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership
• be guided by considered evidence, their real world experience and expertise, their constituencies and their consciences
• be free from the control of any political party, pressure group or whip
• be non-discriminatory, ethical and committed to pluralism
• make decisions transparently and openly at every stage and level of the political process, enabling people to see how decisions are made and the evidence on which they are based
• listen, consulting their communities constantly and innovatively
• treat political opponents with courtesy and respect, challenging them when they believe they are wrong, and agreeing with them when they believe they are right
• resist abuses of power and patronage and promote democracy at every level
• work with other elected independents as a Group with a chosen spokesperson
• claim expenses, salaries and compensation openly so the public can judge the value for money of their activities