Thursday, 21 April 2005

News Release

Over 160 politically independent candidates will be running for election on May 5th. This is the largest number since 1885, possibly ever. The Independent Network, a new association that supports independent candidates, believes this increase demonstrates the electorate’s dissatisfaction with party politics.

This belief is reinforced by the facts that:

• 55 per cent of voters don’t feel they will be able to vote for a party that represents their needs in the General Election

• Membership of UK political parties has fallen by over 50 per cent over the last two decades

Yet voters remain interested in politics:

• 77 per cent of people say they are interested in national issues

• 81 per cent of people say they are interested in local issues

“Politically independent candidates offer the electorate an alternative to traditional adversarial party politics. Independents are more effective at representing the views of constituents and promoting democracy as they are not pressurised by party whips to toe the party line,” said Peter Lay, executive of the Independent Network."

He continued, “Independents are often hindered by a lack of financial and human resources and do not have the brand recognition that association with a major party brings. The Independent Network was formed to level the playing field and establish public confidence in politically independent candidates. Independent candidates are free to fully and openly deliberate and consult on all the vital issues of our society such as taxation, creating effective public services and combating crime.”

Notes to editors:

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 Nolan Committee’s recommendations on Standards in Public Life.

Affiliates of the Independent Network include: Kate Allsop – Ashfield; Malvin Brown – Hornchurch; Berjis Daver – Harrow West; Bill Givens – Southport; Reg Keys – Sedgefield; Ron Ower – Upminster; Stewart Rickersey – Mansfield; Chris Rowe – Banbury; Dr. Richard Taylor – Wyre Forest; David Vail – North Hackney and Stoke Newington; Judy Weleminsky – Dulwich and West Norwood.

Statistical sources:

• 55 per cent don’t feel they will be able to vote for a party that represents their needs in the next general election (Source: The Big Conversation)

• Over the last two decades membership of UK political parties has fallen by over 50 per cent. (Peter Mair and Ingrid van Biezen, Party Membership in Twenty European Democracies, 1980–2000)

• 77 per cent of people saying they are interested in national issues (Source: MORI Political Engagement Poll 2004)

• 81 per cent of people saying they are interested in local issues (Source: MORI Political Engagement Poll 2004)
  

For more information please visit: www.independentnetwork.org.uk or contact Jenny Aaron at 020 7609 1902 or email: indepnet@pwkpr.com