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Independents may show the way to a better kind of politics Independents may show the way to a better kind of politics
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When, last year, nine out of 10 cities rejected plans for directly elected mayors, the only city to vote yes, Bristol, went on to elect an independent, George Ferguson. In the police commissioner elections held the same day, 11 independents were elected, making them the third-largest group, well ahead of the Lib Dems on zero. Of 20,588 elected councillors in England, Scotland and Wales, 1,991 are independents – 9.7% of the total, and more than 10 times the total number of Ukip councillors (186) and just 600 short of the Lib Dems' 2,576. In May's local elections independents gained 24 seats to win 165, placing them above Ukip's 147 on the leaderboard.When, last year, nine out of 10 cities rejected plans for directly elected mayors, the only city to vote yes, Bristol, went on to elect an independent, George Ferguson. In the police commissioner elections held the same day, 11 independents were elected, making them the third-largest group, well ahead of the Lib Dems on zero. Of 20,588 elected councillors in England, Scotland and Wales, 1,991 are independents – 9.7% of the total, and more than 10 times the total number of Ukip councillors (186) and just 600 short of the Lib Dems' 2,576. In May's local elections independents gained 24 seats to win 165, placing them above Ukip's 147 on the leaderboard.
"So what?" sums up the general reaction. While the rise of smaller parties is often noted, independents are mostly ignored (except where they wear a monkey suit, as Hartlepool mayor Stuart Drummond did for a time). The benign explanation is they are local phenomena that add nothing to the big picture. And it's true, they have always been around. The borough of Epsom and Ewell in Surrey has been run by residents' associations for 70 years. In Tatton Independent MP Martin Bell was elected in 1997 on the back of Tory sleaze, and in Wyre Forest Dr Richard Taylor won on a save-our-hospital ticket in 2001. Political correspondents tend to adopt a knowing tone about these constituencies, signifying that it's all terribly fascinating but nothing viewers need to worry too much about."So what?" sums up the general reaction. While the rise of smaller parties is often noted, independents are mostly ignored (except where they wear a monkey suit, as Hartlepool mayor Stuart Drummond did for a time). The benign explanation is they are local phenomena that add nothing to the big picture. And it's true, they have always been around. The borough of Epsom and Ewell in Surrey has been run by residents' associations for 70 years. In Tatton Independent MP Martin Bell was elected in 1997 on the back of Tory sleaze, and in Wyre Forest Dr Richard Taylor won on a save-our-hospital ticket in 2001. Political correspondents tend to adopt a knowing tone about these constituencies, signifying that it's all terribly fascinating but nothing viewers need to worry too much about.
Meanwhile, politicians dismiss the non-aligned as egotists or dilettantes. "They may hate each other but they hate you more because you're showing them up," is how Bristol mayor George Ferguson put it when I rang him up last week. For six months after he was elected, Labour councillors refused to join his cabinet. In May they relented, and Ferguson was the star turn at this month's Local Government Association independent group's annual meeting.Meanwhile, politicians dismiss the non-aligned as egotists or dilettantes. "They may hate each other but they hate you more because you're showing them up," is how Bristol mayor George Ferguson put it when I rang him up last week. For six months after he was elected, Labour councillors refused to join his cabinet. In May they relented, and Ferguson was the star turn at this month's Local Government Association independent group's annual meeting.
So are they regional quirks, or are independents part of a broader shift in UK politics away from the big parties? Data is hard to come by as categorisation of what independent is varies. The LGA independent group includes Greens, Ukip and Plaid Cymru. Regular reorganisation of local government means numbers of councillors are tricky to compare over time.So are they regional quirks, or are independents part of a broader shift in UK politics away from the big parties? Data is hard to come by as categorisation of what independent is varies. The LGA independent group includes Greens, Ukip and Plaid Cymru. Regular reorganisation of local government means numbers of councillors are tricky to compare over time.
But independents and their supporters believe they are making progress. In the last general election there were a record 315 candidates, and in May independents won local elections in Cornwall and the Isle of Wight, adding to the handful of councils they already control. On this measure they are well ahead of Ukip, who don't run any local authorities, and the Greens, who lead one. Four out of 16 directly elected mayors are independent, and Siobhan Benita came a respectable fifth in London's mayoral race last year.But independents and their supporters believe they are making progress. In the last general election there were a record 315 candidates, and in May independents won local elections in Cornwall and the Isle of Wight, adding to the handful of councils they already control. On this measure they are well ahead of Ukip, who don't run any local authorities, and the Greens, who lead one. Four out of 16 directly elected mayors are independent, and Siobhan Benita came a respectable fifth in London's mayoral race last year.
It's hard to generalise, since the whole point about independents is they are individuals free from party control. But the theme that recurs in talking to them is the malign effect of national parties on local politics, and the view that some elected representatives' first loyalty is not to electors but to their party machine. "Why be a member of a party? It's much more logical to put your local area first," says independent councillor Marianne Overton, a Local Government Association vice-chair. "It's a completely different way of thinking, a bottom-up approach."It's hard to generalise, since the whole point about independents is they are individuals free from party control. But the theme that recurs in talking to them is the malign effect of national parties on local politics, and the view that some elected representatives' first loyalty is not to electors but to their party machine. "Why be a member of a party? It's much more logical to put your local area first," says independent councillor Marianne Overton, a Local Government Association vice-chair. "It's a completely different way of thinking, a bottom-up approach."
Demands from local government for more autonomy from Westminster have grown louder lately, partly in response to the cuts. Lord Heseltine has called for a "revolution in the way this country is run" and there are hints Labour will take radical steps in this direction. Meanwhile, the latest row over party funding, and claims that big donors hold too much sway, are unlikely to build confidence in the system as it stands. Reform will take time.Demands from local government for more autonomy from Westminster have grown louder lately, partly in response to the cuts. Lord Heseltine has called for a "revolution in the way this country is run" and there are hints Labour will take radical steps in this direction. Meanwhile, the latest row over party funding, and claims that big donors hold too much sway, are unlikely to build confidence in the system as it stands. Reform will take time.
Only 1.5% of people belong to a political party, and polling before the 2010 election found strong support for more independent MPs (which raises the intriguing question whether Ukip benefits from having the appealing word "independence" in its name, regardless of what voters think about Europe). Almost everyone has a good word for the 181 crossbench peers, the independents in the House of Lords.Only 1.5% of people belong to a political party, and polling before the 2010 election found strong support for more independent MPs (which raises the intriguing question whether Ukip benefits from having the appealing word "independence" in its name, regardless of what voters think about Europe). Almost everyone has a good word for the 181 crossbench peers, the independents in the House of Lords.
As a Green party member I'm comfortable with political parties and the idea that you join the one whose ideas are closest to your own. But most people don't vote in local elections, and a growing number don't vote at all. Parties are not the only problem. Policy matters more. But perhaps independents could be part of the solution? In some places voters have decided they are.As a Green party member I'm comfortable with political parties and the idea that you join the one whose ideas are closest to your own. But most people don't vote in local elections, and a growing number don't vote at all. Parties are not the only problem. Policy matters more. But perhaps independents could be part of the solution? In some places voters have decided they are.
Twitter: @susannarustinTwitter: @susannarustin
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