No Ties 

A new YouTube campaign is being launched to encourage voters to recognise themselves as Independent. The adverts focus on sending a straightforward message to the public: independent candidates have no ties to political parties or party whips. The Independent Network (IN), a loose association that provides support to politically independent candidates, shot the campaign at last month’s strategy meeting, and features several of the attendees

Independent candidates are encouraged to use the adverts as templates and create their own, emphasising the “No Ties” message. The advert plays on political parties’ traditional tactic of identifying themselves and their parties by wearing a coloured tie. Each video ends with a bare-necked candidate or supporter of The Independent Network declaring: “I have no ties”.

Livia Oldland, of the new IN executive committee, said, “The campaign encourages voters who are not members of political parties to recognise themselves as independent. Independents are more effective at representing the views of constituents and promote democracy at local, national and European levels because they are not under pressure from party whips – they literally have no ties.” 

The Independent Network relies on its supporters to spread its message and encourages them to make their own version of the ad. You can see a version of  the ad at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95EI-Z93Wvc