Northern voters say independent MPs will strengthen democracy

Almost two out of three voters in the North of England (64%) say British democracy will be strengthened if there were more independent MPs and more than half (51%) say they’ll seriously consider voting for a candidate not aligned to a political party.

The ComRes survey results confirm that trust in political parties is at an all time low.

More than three in four Northern voters (76%) also said that independents should run against MPs who have behaved unethically.

Unprecedented opportunity for independents

There are currently two independent MPs in Parliament, but former independent MP Martin Bell is on a crusade to ensure that they’ll be joined by more as a force for honest politics.

“Independents have an unprecedented opportunity on May 6 to change the face of politics for good,” said Bell. “It is a time for the election of a group of MPs, without party baggage but with real world experience, to be a force for honest politics in the new House of Commons.”

Among the extravagant claims made by regional political party MPs were for Tudor beams, moat cleaning and piano tuning.

Two of the MPs that were charged with theft as a result of expense claims were from the North of England.

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 Northern 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 Network candidates in the North

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

Brian Greaves, Barrow and Furness www.briangreaves-independentmp.co.uk

Bushra Irfan, Blackburn www.bushrairfan.co.uk

David Kirwan, Wirral West www.davidkirwan.co.uk

Diane Park, Halifax http://dianepark4halifax.com

Khizar Iqbal, Dewsbury www.dewsburyfirst.com

Peter Thirlwall, Rotherham www.peter4rotherham.org.uk

Mike Cooksley, Weaver Vale www.mikecooksley.com

Norman Bradbury, Leigh www.independentnetwork.org.uk/candidates/norman-bradbury

Scott Pickles, Doncaster Central www.independentnetwork.org.uk/candidates/scott-pickles

Siamak Kaikavoosi, South Shields www.independentnetwork.org.uk/candidates/siamak-kaikavoosi

Dr. Steven Ford, Hexham www.stevenford.co.uk

Yvonne Hossack, Stockton South www.hossackssolicitors.com

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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