2^nd April 2010

News Release

26 independent candidates endorsed to take on party politicians

Six new independent candidates endorsed by the Independent Network

Six new independent Prospective Parliamentary Candidates (PPC) for the 2010 General Election have been endorsed today by the Independent Network (IN). This brings the current total to 26 endorsed candidates. Endorsed candidates have agreed to comply with a set of principles inspired by esteemed former independent MP Martin Bell. The six newly endorsed candidates come from a wide range of backgrounds, from bus driver John Swallow to previous MEP for Thames Valley John Stevens

The Independent Network is a loose association which provides support to endorsed independent PPCs. The organisation is not a political party and does not impose any political views on individuals that affiliate with it. Endorsed independents have been assessed by the IN Executive. The endorsement process helps the electorate to know that a group of people have looked at the candidates and judged them to be good quality representatives. All endorsed candidates have their own profile page on www.independentnetwork.org.uk.

Endorsed candidates have agreed to adhere to The Bell Principles, thought to be the first set of conduct guidelines created by a political organisation for its affiliated candidates and representatives. The Principles are used by the Independent Network to influence the conduct, but not the policies, of its endorsed candidates.

Voters have become increasingly alienated by party politics. Less than one per cent of voters hold membership of a political party and an Ipsos Mori poll found that 73 per cent of voters believe that they do not have a say in the way the country is run. The Bell Principles help to provide a necessary bridge between the public and their politicians as the independent candidates signed up to them agree to listen, and to consult their communities constantly.

North West

Bushra Irfan

Independent Network PPC for Blackburn

Incumbent:  Jack Straw

Bushra Irfan qualified as a solicitor in 1993 and was acclaimed for being the first Asian woman solicitor in Lancashire. She is chairperson of a number of national and international organisations, particularly regarding ethnic minorities and integration.

Blackburn has been a Labour seat for the past three elections, though they have experienced a steady decline in support at recent elections.

Bushra is positive that she is reflective of the Blackburn community and more able to understand their problems and everyday strife. She believes she can give the public the choice to vote for someone who reflects their own lifestyle and culture. She believes in expanding regeneration projects, improving public transport and protecting the environment. She supports the improvement of small businesses and believes they should be given incentives to employ people.

David Kirwan

Independent Network PPC for Wirral West

Incumbent: Stephen Hesford (will stand down at next election)

David Kirwan is a respected senior partner at a solicitors’ firm and Independent Councillor for Hoylake and Meols. He has lived and worked in Wirral West for most of his life.

The constituency has been a strong Labour seat for the last three elections. Labour experienced a decline in support at the last election in Wirral West.

David says his experience and independence makes him best placed to represent the views of constituents on national and local issues. Key issues include the need to give control in schools and hospitals back to the teachers, doctors and nurses where he feels it fundamentally belongs. He also feels there needs to be more police on the beat, supports a dramatic reduction in the number of immigrants allowed to enter the UK, and promotes policies that offer support for small business owners and measures to revive the high streets.

Wales

Henry Langen

Independent Network PPC for Carmarthen West and Pembrokeshire South

Incumbent: Nick Ainger

Henry Langen is a town councillor and ex-mayor of Narberth. He is also a disability rights campaigner.

Carmarthen West and Pembrokeshire South has been held by Labour for the last three elections, however there has been a steady decline in Labour support.

He is a seasoned political campaigner, particularly on disability rights. He is the vice chair for Disability Wales and the chair of Pembrokeshire Access Group. He is also a trustee of Narberth Museum, and sits on its management committee.

He recognises the need for welfare change especially concerning the elderly and council housing. He believes that local authorities need to use the money earned from council house sales to fund a new council house-building.

East

John Stevens

Independent Network PPC for Buckingham

Incumbent: John Bercow MP, Speaker of the House

John Stevens was a Conservative MEP for Thames Valley from 1989 to 1999 and was Vice Chairman of the European Parliament’s Economic & Monetary Affairs Committee. He is currently an advisor at an independent fund management partnership.

Buckingham had the highest numerical Conservative majority in the 2005 election. As this is currently the Speaker’s seat, Labour and the Liberal Democrats are unlikely to contest it.

His foremost political interest is to reform British political debate which has been so damaged by scandals both in Westminster and Brussels, so that proper democratic decisions may be taken on the great issues facing the nation. As a pro-European, John particularly favours an immediate referendum to secure consent for Britain's full participation in the European Union.

John Swallow

Independent Network PPC for Peterborough

Incumbent: Stewart Jackson

John Swallow is a bus driver in Peterborough, having previously been a supermarket manager.

Peterborough is a Conservative seat but had previously returned Labour candidates in the 2001 and 1997 elections.

Important issues for John include animal welfare, he believes the current legislation on hunting with dogs is not clear enough; business, he will be launching a business manifesto as he feels business is crucial to development; and crime, where he supports efforts to increase and strengthen community based punishment. John feels that excessive packaging is affecting the environment and a levy or tax on packaging could be used to negate its impact.

South West

Harvey Taylor

Independent Network PPC for Bournemouth West

Incumbent: Sir John Butterfill (will stand down at the next election)

Harvey Taylor believes in a socially responsible, enterprising and inclusive society based on fairness, trust and honesty. He is a management and personal skills trainer, and an experienced counsellor.

Bournemouth West has returned a Conservative in the last three elections, although support proved to wane at the last election.

Harvey believes small and medium sized companies provide a sound, long term basis for future prosperity. He feels that education should benefit the all-round development of pupils and not just focus on academic results and strongly advocates scrapping university tuition fees. Another main issue for Harvey is the elderly; he considers them a significant contribution to the community and believes their benefits should be more easily accessible.

2010 General Election

This election should prove to be a tightly contested affair as support for traditional parties has been waning in recent years. Since 1987 the number of people voting for independents has risen from 10,000 to over 144,000. Currently there are two elected independent MPs in Parliament, more representatives than the Green Party, UKIP and the BNP in the House of Commons.

Jim Thornton, a member of the Independent Network’s Executive Committee, said, “So far we have endorsed 26 candidates and will endorse more before the election. These candidates agree to abide by The Bell Principles, which are believed to be the first set of conduct guidelines published by a political organisation for its affiliated candidates and representatives. An important character of The Principles is that they are not a set of rules about what representatives should not do, but urge positive action to improve and promote democracy and service to their community. The nature of politics is changing. The number and calibre of party members has declined, and the public have become effectively disenfranchised by party politics and party politicians. There is an alternative that can galvanise local politics - the independent politician." 

Neville Watson, a member of the Independent Network’s Executive Committee, said, “Ninety-nine per cent of people are not members of the main political parties. At the last election, 55 per cent of people didn’t feel they were able to vote for a party that represented their needs. We expect this number has risen due to recent events. There’s two elected independents in the House of Commons, so it’s time to recognise independent candidates as a credible alternative to party politicians.”

Steven Ford, a member of the Independent Network’s Executive Committee, said, “We want the electorate to recognise that they no longer need political parties. No longer are they “floating voters” or “swing voters” – they are independent voters that can think for themselves. It makes sense that they look to independent candidates that are free from the control of any political party, pressure group or whip and are guided by considered evidence, their real world experience and expertise, their constituencies and their consciences." 

-ENDS-

 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 association that provides support to candidates who are not members of traditional political parties. As a not-for-profit association with a simple constitution, the Independent Network consists of: independent representatives in national, regional and local government, and candidates or prospective candidates whom the Independent Network supports. Members of the public who support the principle of elected representatives of public office being free of the established party political system will be encouraged to become affiliated with the Independent Network. 

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 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.

Data Sources:

Voters feel they don’t have very much influence in their local area: Ipsos Mori Audit of Political Engagement December 2009

Voters believe they don’t have a say in they way the country is run: Ipsos Mori Audit of Political Engagement March 2005