Network Supports Credible Alternative for Voters

A grassroots movement of independent politicians is gaining strength in the UK.

Whilst independent candidates were previously viewed as mavericks, they are becoming increasingly popular both in local and in central government. There are a number of councils in the UK that are dominated by independent politicians such as Cornwall Unitary Council, City of London Corporation and Mansfield Borough Council.

Political parties are arguably becoming less relevant and membership is currently at an all time low – less than 1% of the UK population is a member of a political party. It’s no surprise therefore that with a general election looming, a large number of individuals are deciding to stand for Parliament as an independent.

In the 2005 general election over 160 people stood as an independent and collectively they received the largest number of votes cast for independents ever. In the 2010 election the number of candidates and votes cast for independents is expected to rise.

Steven Ford, a GP from Northumberland is one of those standing in the upcoming parliamentary candidate in Hexham explains he says, “An MP has two major roles to represent and to govern.” He explains, “Too often party MPs only do the latter. Independents have the advantage of being able to represent the constituents fully as they are only accountable to them and not the party.”

Last May a poll commissioned by the think tank Ekklesia found that 53 per cent of the public would seriously consider voting for an independent candidate. But even with the public on their side, independents still have a huge mountain to climb before they are elected.

Joe Hall (independent candidate for Luton South) says, “You have to work very hard standing as an independent as you don’t have support from a political party and have to do everything on your own. You have to fund your own campaign and rely on
friends and family for delivering and door knocking. It’s tough to get your name out there and you really have to persevere.”

The Independent Network (IN) was set up in 2005 to address some of the current barriers that independents face. It’s a small non-profit organisation based in London but have supporters and volunteers across the country. The IN are currently in touch with over 70 independent candidates and have provided essential practical support such as training, networking events and media relations.

One of the key aims for the IN is to promote independents as a credible alternative to party politics. Endorsed candidates and Executive Members of the IN have recently been featured on the BBC Politics Show and in the national papers.

The IN are in contact with a wide variety of people standing as independents from former MP for Northampton South Tony Clarke, to everyday members of the public who would like to make a positive difference to British politics.

Loucas Xenophontos (Hertford and Stortford) says, “I have never been politically active and like much of the nation feel that politicians from all parties have let us down. I decided not to whinge but to take part instead, to serve my local community - after all, we get the politicians we deserve.”

The independent MP Dr Richard Taylor (Wyre Forest), former independent MP Martin Bell OBE and Terry Waite CBE are supporting the IN. The Network has also adopted a code of conduct for elected representatives inspired by Martin Bell - The Bell Principles. These principles include values that are greatly needed to clean up politics such as consulting constituents, transparency at all levels and claiming fair expenses.

Rob Jessel, a member of the IN Secretariat says, “There is a tired old argument that voting for an independent is a wasted vote, but many people don’t realise that there   are already two elected independent MPs in Parliament. There are no representatives of any minority party such as UKIP, Green Party or the BNP in the House of Commons.”

Whilst the IN continues to champions independent politicians, they rely on donations and support from volunteers.

Livia Oldland, Researcher of the IN, says “We don’t have a millionaire backer and are currently as poor as church mice. The more donations and assistance we receive, the more we will be able to help independent candidates. We would like to run a large campaign to help independents, but without donations we will be unable to do this.”

You can find out more about the IN by checking out their website: www.independentnetwork.org.uk

Members of the public that are interested in getting involved can send an email to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Author: L Oldland of the Independent Network