Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Rotherham - Applicants Welcome

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Following a meeting of Rotherham Independents last night, it is announced that applications are now actively being sought for a suitable candidate to represent them, at the increasingly likely event of a by-election in the Rotherham Constituency. The expectation is that the successful candidate would be our General Election candidate in Rotherham Constituency also.

The Conservatives have recently appointed a PPC for Rotherham, Jackie Whiteley, who fought Rotherham in last years General Election was announced in a surprise move, as normally selection of a candidate does not take place until an election/by-election is definitely in the offing.

Main qualifications needed are a willingness to apply our principles in practice, a commitment to examine all issues afresh without prejudice and be willing to be an active campaigner not frightened of hard work.

Interested? please contact Peter Thirlwall or Dave Ridgway, contact details on left panel, for more information and details of how to apply.

Rotherham Independents will in due course announce their intentions with respect to Rother Valley and Wentworth & Dearne constituency. If you might be interested in standing in either of these constituencies we would like to hear from you as well.

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Rotherham Independents Prepare for May's Elections.

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Preparations are beginning around Rotherham for the election battle to come in May. As well as Borough Council elections, Town and Parish Council elections take place on the same day as the referendum on the voting system.
We would welcome anyone who is prepared to live up to our principles and is interested in standing as a candidate at any of these elections, it need not be especially difficult nor expensive to do so. Full support will be provided. There is plenty of time if you act soon.
Please contact Peter Thirlwall by phone or email peter here. if you would like to know more about being a candidate.
If you would like regular information about our activities by email please click here.
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What makes Rotherham Independents Different?

Ten Reasons to join the Rotherham Independents.

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Democracy or Dictatorship?

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Democracy or Dictatorship?

Far be it from me to defend the BNP in any way, but I am alarmed at what seems to be happening in our, so called 'democratic' country!

It has been reported that steps are being taken to make it illegal for teachers to be members of the BNP. This adds another group of public employees to be added to the list of workers barred from BNP membership, in addition to police officers already similarly banned..

Whether we like it or not the BNP have elected members sitting in local government and now in Europe. They have been allocated time on TV and like it or not they are a legal political party, at least for now.

Are these bans in themselves legal? or healthy politically?  This sets a dangerous precedent. Why not ban a party that supports gay rights? Why not ban any party that the current Government cannot find common ground with?  

Far-fetched kite flying? Perhaps it is, but the precedent is there for others to follow!  We did it for the BNP why not for…………..?

I am reminded of Pastor Martin Niemoller's words, that seem as relevant today as when they were written:

“First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out - because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out - because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out - because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out - because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me
And there was no one left to speak out for me.”

And this famous quotation from Voltaire:

“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

Don Blow

Labour Leadership - irrelevant in Rotherham!

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So the young upstart, Ed Miliband wins and ends up forcing his older and wiser brother out, at least for now!

The ruthlessness with which he pursued his campaign against his older brother and 'heir apparent', would have made Lenin proud. Ed's ability to cast off the past that he was inextricably involved in as if he wasn't at the 'Cabinet Table' has given us a masterclass in political positioning coupled with once again seeing 'democratic centralism' in action giving Ed victory over David only because of the Trades Union Votes!

His first Leaders speech although pleasing those in the conference hall, was pretty thin, containing just enough to conceal from the public his left wing credentials, much more evident at the hustings that were not televised and to provide a moment of pure political theatre when David got irritated with Harriet Harman during his brother's maiden Labour Party Leader's speech, I'm sure you have all seen it, but in case you haven't?

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It will be difficult I think for him to convincing step beyond the caricaturists delight, as Red Ed!
Some have already claimed that the next election was lost with Ed's victory, we shall see?

For us in Rotherham this rather unedifying spectacle is a matter of great indifference to most of us, it is also largely irrelevant to the Labour Party as a whole in Rotherham. The Labour Party's writ does not really run as far as our town!

Here the Labour Party consists of a self perpetuating oligarchy who pay only lip service to Labour's Constitution and Rule Book. The Labour Group is the centre of power and control is exercised from the top by just a few, now, old men, a gerontocracy as well! Step out of line, ask questions and they will turn on those that will not accept the status quo. Ask Peter Thirlwall, if you are not convinced!

For us it is change in Rotherham that we seek to bring about and until this self serving and greedy bunch are replaced with effective, competent, basically decent and honest representatives, nothing at all will change.

Rotherham Independents want to restore real democracy, insist its members embrace the idea of public service at the expense of personal advancement,  provide value for money and consider Rotherham and its electorate before any party dogma.

Our mission is to use the ballot box to improve the lot of all our Town's citizens! Join us and make a real difference!

To find out more about us, email us here.

To find out how your MP's and Local Labour Members voted in Labour's Leadership elections, click here.

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Cross Over or Double Cross?

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A few thoughts on the issues raised by the recent defection of Darren Hughes from the Tory Party to the Labour Party. This is becoming an issue because of the defection to Labour of a growing band of Liberals that abhor the Coalition and want no part of it! 

"As Independents we are all too aware of the vagaries and illogical results thrown up by our current electoral system.

British politics is based on political parties. At election time, each party puts out its manifesto for the electorate to consider and eventually place its votes.

In theory personalities play no part in the system and results are based on the votes collected by a party which happens to be represented in a ward by a party member.

In spite of this set up, look what happens when the party representatives change sides? Nothing! He just chooses to vote with what was the opposition and pay his subs to his new masters.

In effect, he is saying the people that elected him sorry you got it wrong, so hundreds of voters are told they wasted their time and the country its money. 

If we are to stay with the basic premise of party politics, surely the disaffected guy should at least be replaced by the party that was elected, or a by- election called to enable the electorate to once more express their wishes.

Interesting thought, in Rotherham, what would happen if the Mayor changed her allegiance mid term, in view of the Labour only for Mayor Policy?

If the personality is elected, and not the party, where on earth have the Rotherham Labour Party found so many charismatic candidates time after time year after year?

Another required change to add to our ever growing list of anomalies and undemocratic practices!"

Don Blow

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Ten Reasons to join the Rotherham Independents.

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The Rotherham Independents exist to bring about real change in our local politics.

What do they want to change? 

To answer that question, we need to consider what 40 years plus of absolute Labour rule in Rotherham has brought about:

1. Councillors so confident of re-election that they crow in public “Rotherham is Labour Territory”. So confident they become, arrogant and treat the  electorate with disdain, see reports  and letters in The Advertiser as to how they behave in  public meetings and even the council chamber.
So confident of re-election they vote themselves onto the   local government pension scheme. They take full advantage of increases recommended by their Independent Review Board.

2. Council Officers on exorbitant salaries, paid we are told to obtain the best, why then do they pay so much out in consultancy fees? Why do they, erroneously, compare themselves with people in similar positions in private companies?  When did they last run a meaningful cost cutting exercise?  When did they last have to fight off commercial competition in order to remain in business?  If they are running the borough what are the councillors doing?  In private companies the CEO and his board get paid for taking responsibility, long term decisions and establishing policy and middle management get paid for   turning it into action and control  day to day activities,  middle managers on  six figure salaries???

3. PFI schemes that  will see the people of Rotherham having to find 3.5 million pounds in rent for the next 30 years before their Council Tax starts to pay for anything else.

4. A dead town centre not helped by the council for years insisting that parking should be paid for,  in the face of repeated requests, from traders and the public,  to provide free parking.  Surprise, surprise,  the council have recently discovered free parking.

5. A  democratic system where every committee and council from the Borough to school governors has its Labour faithful.

6. Area Assemblies which cost a lot but seem to achieve little or nothing except to provide another vehicle for councillors to claim expenses.

7. A Council which without permission or consultation sets its self up as a banker lending money to private concerns in the borough namely Magna and the local Rugby club.  Which begs several questions, on what terms was money loaned, has it been repaid and if not when (in the current climate these should be at the top of  a list of jobs to do), these two were high profile how many others exist?

8. A Council and  its highly prized executives who set up a partnership with BT and went into a blaze of publicity about what advantages it had brought naming management  techniques which were taught 50 years ago in the council’s own college virtually  across the road from the council offices.

9. Before the current round of cuts this caring council had savaged the services to elderly and the least advantaged in the Borough while maintaining their own remuneration.

10. The position of Mayor used to be an honourary position bestowed to recognise years of public service,  irrespective of party affiliation, not in Rotherham,  this is now the domain of the ruling Labour Party only.

Rotherham Independents want to change things like this, restore  real democracy, insist its members embrace the idea of public service at the expense of personal advancement,  provide value for money,  consider Rotherham and its electorate before any party dogma.

Want to know more about us? Then please contact us using the links on this site.

Don Blow

Member Rotherham Independents

Be Part of the Future! Not the Past!

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Chief Executive - Martin Kimber - It's what your paid for mate!

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Rob Foulds

RMBC Chief Executive, Martin Kimber, who made in the Advertiser a request for involvement of the public at large in suggesting those areas of expenditure where cuts should be made and stated quite outrageously that Rotherham Council "has a real pedigree of listening to local people".

Needless to say this has had a similar effect to lighting the blue touchpaper and standing back. The Advertiser carried a number of letters this week commenting on this novel approach and the claims to be a 'listening council'!

Rob Foulds, our candidate in May for the Rother Vale Ward added this contribution which, as usual, goes straight to the main issues.
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"Dear Sir

So, Rotherham Council is asking for our help in ways to save money  -  the self same money that they have been flushing down the drain and into their very highly paid pockets for decades.

And to compound the insult, the Chief Executive, Martin Kimber, outrageously states how Rotherham Council "has a real pedigree of listening to local people". 

Well let's nail that lie straight away and any reader of this paper will know exactly what I'm talking about.

Rotherham Council did not listen when local people said that it wasn't a good idea to incur the cost of the Dolly Parton Library, when we already had several such early reading schemes.

They didn't listen when we said it was a bad idea to demolish All Saints Buildings, you know, the building that used to bring £250,000 per year into the council coffers - how useful that would have been right now.

They didn't listen when we said it wasn't right to expect us to stump up for their First Class travel on their jaunts around the country.

Did they listen when we said there was no economic case for their daft Supertram idea? No, but thankfully the government did.

They didn't listen when we said there was no need to spend millions on refurbishing the Town Hall, when it was a perfectly serviceable building.

And what about swanning off on jet planes to the other side of the world at our expense? No, they didn't listen to us then.

I could go on ad infinitum, but there's no need because as I said in this paper only two weeks ago, their chums in government have disappeared into oblivion and Martin Kimber and those he so slavishly serves, haven't got a clue.

In fact they are so clueless that they are having to ask us for clues and all of a sudden we are no longer their "customers" as they so like to call us, oh no, our status has indeed now been elevated to that of 'partner'.

Here's my suggestion to Mr Kimber, get off your arse and do your job, you're paid a huge amount of dosh every year by us, so earn your corn mate and manage the town's affairs.

And just so you know, the decisions that you are so afraid of taking, are having to be taken by private sector managers every day of the week and as you and your other very generously paid mates at Rotherham Council are so fond of comparing yourselves to them, don't you think it's about time you took responsibility, rather than trying to offload the hard bits on to us.

Yours faithfully

Rob Foulds"

Advertiser story: BUDGET CUTS: tell us what to axe, says council

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Monsoon Flooding Disaster. DEC Appeal for Pakistan.

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The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) have made an appeal for emergency donations to provide help in Pakistan to save lives in this unprecedented slow motion disaster.

Click Here to Donate Now!

A Huge Thank You From Dave Ridgway.

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Last Thursday the voters of Sitwell had an opportunity to exercise their democratic right to chose a Councillor to represent them.

I was proud to put my name forward in this contest as a representative of Rotherham's newest political group, the Rotherham Independents, established in February, as an antidote to the tired old politics of the past that we believe is stifling progress for Rotherham's citizens.

Coming in third place behind the Tory and Labour Parties and ahead of UKIP and the Liberals was enormously pleasing for me and all independently minded people in Rotherham.

I did not have an opportunity at the count to express my gratitude to my voters or those that helped with my campaign nor those that organised the election in such an exemplary manner. This is what I would have said.

"I would also like to place on record my personal gratitude to the Police, Mags Evers and the elections staff who have delivered an election notable for being faultless, to my fellow candidates who have campaigned honourably. 

A huge thank you to my supporters in the Rotherham Independents, without whom this campaign would not have been possible and finally I would like to thank each and every one of those voters that placed their confidence in me and voted for a better future with the Rotherham Independents".

Dave Ridgway

Rotherham Independent Candidate

Sitwell Ward

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Sitwell By-Election Result. Disaster for Liberals, 769 Voters Go Missing! Labour Dismay as Ground Lost Since May - Against National Trend!

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Rotherham MBC Sitwell Ward By-Election August 5th 2010
Party	2008 Result	2008 % Vote	2010 May Result	2010 May % Vote	2010 By-Election Result	2010 By-Election % Vote	% Change since 2008	% Change since May
Tory	2300	58.5	2684	41.5	1213	45.5	-13	4.5
Lab	768	19.5	2238	34.6	864	32.4	12.9	-2.2
R Ind			751	11.6	252	9.5		-2.1
UKIP			793	12.3	241	8.9		-3.4
Lib	867	22			98	3.7	-18.3
Totals	3935		6466		2668

Dave Ridgway's result is remarkable in the context of the local political scene.

The catastrophic drop in the Liberal vote, second place to last or 867 to 98 a loss of 769 votes, clearly demonstrates the electoral problems the Liberals now have, both nationally and here in Rotherham, since they decided to go in to coalition and now are left looking for all the world to have put personal ambition first and are now busily engaged in implementing Tory cuts with a degree of enthusiasm not welcomed by those that put their faith in them at the time of the General Election.

Previous by-elections in Wolverhampton and Walsall which took place in July, clearly demonstrate a consistent pattern for the Liberals, receiving just 52 and 72 votes respectively. These by-election results so soon after the May elections must surely give great cause for alarm amongst Liberals up and down the country. 

The result for Labour must also have been very disappointing for them, as they lost ground since May and lost 2.2% of their vote share, despite mounting an extraordinarily vigorous campaign and a great deal of election day activity, not previously seen anywhere in Rotherham for many a year!

Where are the Liberals in Sitwell? Absent just like in May!

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Despite triggering the by-election in the Sitwell ward and issuing public denials that they had done so, Liberals seem a bit thin on the ground.

In fact they seem to be absent altogether, devoid of a campaign of any kind, this is an outrage for one of the ruling Coalition Government partners, taking the voters for fools, with an apparently absent candidate as well!

Rotherham Independents believe that you must be serious before putting your name forward to the voters for consideration and the actions, or rather inactions, speak volumes for the Liberals contemptuous attitude here!

This is a serious issue especially when latest opinion data showing that 40% of those voting Liberal in May, would not have done so, if they had known that this coalition would result!

Democracy requires that you make your appeal to the voters with you prospectus, those that don't, do not deserve proper consideration from the Sitwell voters.

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Dave's View 3 - Building Schools for the Future (BSF) Programme - Labour Party Cynicism Exposed!

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It really gets my goat when we see election leaflets from Judy Dalton promoting a campaign opposing cuts to the Schools rebuilding programme that is basically deceptive in nature.

As I see it, the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme was unnecessarily complex and far too costly and would in all probability have been cut by a similar amount in Labours own cuts proposals, if they had won a fourth term in government!

To launch a campaign against cuts that Judy Dalton's own Party, Labour has caused really takes the biscuit for such naked cynicism by 'the Party of the People' that is no such thing!

Sending out a short, loaded, questionnaire on the documents back at their own expense also seems to insult the intelligence of her potential voters it would appear?

Dave Ridgway
Independent Candidate
Sitwell Ward

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My Personal Pledge to the voters of the Sitwell Ward

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If you do me the honour of placing your trust in me and voting for me then I make the following pledge in return.

• Sitwell citizens will be my Masters, Not my political Party.
• I am an independent, free of influence by Party interest or dogma, I make decisions logically on the basis of the facts and the simple test, what is best in the circumstances?
  
• I will provide New and Simple ways for you to let me know your views and to ensure my accountability to you.
  
• I will uphold the finest principles of public service and work openly in being an independent voice for the residents of Sitwell ward and no one else besides.
  
• I also want to give Sitwell an opportunity to influence the future. It is clear that Rotherham must make profound and long lasting changes, the people must be heard in this and I pledge to provide you with that voice!

Dave Ridgway
Independent Candidate
Sitwell Ward

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Dave's View 2 - Wind Farms!

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Of all the environmentally based issues, land based windfarms cause the most controversy!

Virtually all result in local determined opposition to them! Rotherham's proposals have raised many reasonable objections that have been totally ignored by the Council's Planning Board.

The views of the electorate are what should matter in a democracy! Ignored currently by the 'Old Parties', voters feel powerless to change things, no matter who they vote for, nothing ever changes!

The Rotherham Independents and I are different from the rest, because we are totally committed to serving you not the Party once elected.

I am opposed to land based wind farms on principle because they are simply too expensive, for the output achieved in practice, they also impose an unfair local burden for the host community.

My pledge to Sitwell voters is, they will be my masters not my political Party and I will do everything within the bounds of legality to reject the latest proposals and to oppose any future applications!

Dave Ridgway 

Independent Candidate Sitwell Ward

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Dave's View 1 Council Cost Cutting!

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Call me 'old fashioned, if you like, but I believe that being a Councillor is about public service, not to provide 'political careers' paid for at great expense by you the Tax Payer, for poorly chosen, time served Party apparatchiks that my opponents represent!

I want the councillors allowance package halved! I pledge to do everything I can to put a stop to RMBC Members greed. Halve the allowances and cut first class travel completely would do for starters!

Dave Ridgway

Independent Candidate

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Battle of the Election Addresses Hots UP!

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The Sitwell by-election is in full swing as the 'Old Parties' of Labour, Tory, Liberal, UKIP  and the New Rotherham Independents, slug it out on the doorstep in search of votes!

We provide the following in the interests of full democratic debate, we believe the casting of your vote is a serious business and requires information to allow informed decision at the polling booth:

Labour: leaflet 1 front, leaflet 1 back, leaflet 2 front, leaflet 2 back.

Liberals: None so far please send a .pdf or .jpg

Rotherham Independents: leaflet Number One.

Tories: leaflet 1 front, leaflet 1 back.

UKIP: leaflet 1 front, leaflet 1 back,leaflet 2 front, leaflet 2 back

Any more? please email scans as either .jpg or .pdf if you can, to Rik Van Hegan

Number Crunching!

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£1.1 Million annual cost of councillors allowances.

£11 Million saving to be made this financial year.

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Don Blow - A Member Asks The Important Questions?

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Where’s the Councillors’ Pain??

Rotherham Advertiser 16th July Councillor Roger Stone went to great lengths to outline the probable areas for cuts in order to conform with the Government’s Austerity Plan.

Glaringly obvious by their omission was any pain to be born by the Councillors themselves.

In spite of grossly inflated allowances and expenses compared with Sheffield and the national average not one word about what they were prepared to forego.

No cuts, not even a freeze, on allowances, expenses, pension contributions from the tax payer, jollies, first class travel the unaffected list goes on and on.

This from a Council, elected on a supposedly socialist manifesto, where is the shoulder to shoulder support for the workers?

Don Blow
Aston-cum-Aughton Independent.

We can report nothing but total silence on this important issue from the Tories, Liberals, Labour and UKIP.

Our candidate, Dave Ridgway, on the other hand, has robust and principled views on this matter.
Dave wants to see them halved! From the grotesquely greedy levels of today, where councillors share in benefits in excess of £1,1 million per year.

Rotherham Independents

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Sitwell By-Election

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The by-election campaign is under way, our first election leaflet is being printed and delivery will start next week.

If you would like to have a preview of Dave Ridgway's election address click here.

If anyone would like to help with Dave's campaign please contact Dave's campaign team as below:

Dave Ridgway

Independent candidate

Sitwell Ward

46 Sheep Cote Road,

Brecks,

Rotherham.

S60 4DA

Email: davidridgway1@hotmail.com

Phone: 01709 541445

Mobile: 07948 417 171

Rik Van Hegan

Election Agent, Dave Ridgway

68 Queen Street

Swinton

Mexborough

S64 8NA

Email: rik@rikv.net

Phone: 01709580150

Mobile: 07878540288

Peter Thirlwall 

By-election Campaign Team Coordinator
6 Pinchwell View
Wickersley
Rotherham
S66 1FP

Email: peter.thirlwall@talktalk.net

Phone: 01709541111

Mobile: 07747633866

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Rotherham Independents - What we are about!

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Rotherham Independents are totally committed to improving the way Rotherham is run and offer an alternative that is viable to the old sterile debates that go on in the Town Hall.

"We reject the current approach because it excludes or ignores the views of the most important of all. YOU!"

Our commitment to you is simple, we will represent you and will always take your views as our guide. We believe that listening to and involving the public is vital in any democracy but is sadly lacking in Rotherham. This simply has to change, we exist to do just that.

We reject prejudice and dogma, we believe that decisions must be made on the basis of robust evidence not mere political prejudice!

We have accepted as our guiding principles the Bell Principles that expand on Lord Nolan's, Seven Principles of Public Life, read them here.

We are criticised by some for having few policies, those thinking that have missed the point!

"It is the rigid adherence to policy, even when contradicted by evidence, that is the real problem!"

We are different, because we have open minds to all reasonable ideas for finding solutions to unsolved problems, we will decide on the basis of sound evidence not dogma.We believe that the people of Rotherham have a right to be involved, before, not after, decisions are made.        A very refreshing approach, we think you will agree!

"Party Politics has brought Rotherham to it's knees, we exist to provide the antidote to this failed approach and to renew peoples faith in the political process."

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Sitwell Candidates Announced!

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The full list of candidates for the Sitwell By-Election has been confirmed, it is as follows:

Dalton, Judy. Labour.
Middleton, Christopher Norman. Conservative.
Razaq, Abdul. Liberal Democrat.
Ridgway, David. Rotherham Independent.
Wilkinson, John. UKIP.

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Sitwell By-Election Called! Mystery deepens!

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The vacancy on the Council caused by the sad demise of veteran Conservative Councillor Michael Clarke was triggered by Sitwell residents, whose identity is unknown at present, but much sought after, because of the criticism of undue and disrespectful haste.

We share that opinion and deprecate this outrageous turn of events. Conservative and Labour members are rightly disgusted at this indecent haste as are we. Proper respect was due to Michael Clarke for his valiant and long record of service to Rotherham as a whole and Sitwell residents in particular. Those selfishly foreshortening this for their own political purposes will surely suffer at the ballot box on Thursday, 5th August 2010.

Fingers are being pointed in the direction of the Liberal Democrats, but it is still unclear as to who it was, as all it takes in fact is two Sitwell Ward residents to write to the Returning Officer requesting that the vacancy should be filled.

We will be announcing our candidate in the next 24 hours, when a statement will be made.

Rotherham Independents

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Rotherham Independents prepare for the future

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Independent minded people from across Rotherham will be meeting at Bramley Parish Hall on the 15th June at 6:45-8:30pm to start building for the future and to take stock of recent election fighting experiences.

We are a friendly bunch that believe politics should be fun too and we would like to extend an invitation to all who may be interested in our unique inclusive and collaborative approach to improve things for us all in Rotherham.

Unlike the main Parties we represent those whose voice is seldom heard, the silent majority, or the 'great ignored' as Cameron has described folk like us recently. We are not a political party, in any traditional sense, in fact we are the antidote to them. Take a look at us you will be pleasantly surprised at what you find.

We are growing, as more of Rotherham's fed up, angry and disillusioned citizens become aware that we exist and join us in making Rotherham a better place for ourselves, our children and future generations to come.

We felt that this task would not be met without a completely different and truly radical approach that we offer, to bring prosperity and enough jobs to support our local economy and to once again, thrive as a community.

We knew it was time to do it ourselves, no one else would do it for us. We say, enough is enough! We have 'stood up to the plate, so can you!

You are welcome to join us too and help to bring about the improvements to the way we are governed locally, that most yearn for, but don't know how to achieve, until now!

Interested? Like to know more? Thought you were alone? You needn't be now!

Then contact us as below please.

Rik Van Hegan
68 Queen Street
Swinton
Mexborough
S64 8NA

Email: rik@rikv.net
Phone: 01709580150
Mobile: 07878540288

Dave Ridgway

46 Sheepcote Road,
Brecks,
Rotherham.
S60 4DA

Email: davidridgway1@hotmail.com
Phone: 01709 541445
Mobile: 07948 417 171

Peter Thirlwall
6 Pinchwell View
Wickersley
Rotherham
S66 1FP

Email: peter.thirlwall@talktalk.net
Phone: 01709541111
Mobile: 07747633866

Thank you! Thank you! for every one of our 12,348 votes throughout Rotherham.

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From all the candidates standing in Rotherham this year, a huge thank you to each and everyone of the 12,348 Rotherham voters who voted for our candidates at the elections this year. 

We achieved with your help, a very respectable vote share of an average of 15.3% for our candidates, an excellent result overall with Rob Foulds receiving 30.2% share of the vote, depressing the Labour vote a significant feat in Rotherham this year and Mick Sylvester, not a member but a friend, managed a wonderful 30% vote share. Both of these would have given them victory in those Wards at any other election in the last 36 years!

We would also like to thank all those who have contributed to our success at this years elections, we are a group where we are greater than the sum of all the parts, each no more important than any other, so it would be inappropriate for us to identify them except for placing on record our debt of gratitude to Peter Thirlwall, to whom we owe, our very existence and inspiration. All Rotherham's people will come to appreciate the significance of Peter's achievement in helping to found our campaign. 

Our conversation with the people of Rotherham has only just begun, over the next few months we will be out listening to your concerns and your views. Some of you will even join with us, as many have, during our campaigning. If you want to be a part of the future not the past then please feel free to contact us using the details on the left hand side or email us here.

Rotherham Independents Candidates 2010

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Over to you, the Voters of Rotherham Borough!

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Decision time is here at last after what seems such a long campaign!

We have tried by all means available to us, to communicate directly with you the voter our optimistic message of 'change for good!' and a fresh start by turning away from the real problem, is the Political Parties themselves! which are to blame for the mess we are in. Click here.

Rotherham Independents represent decisive change from the old ways that belong in the past. Click here.

"A fresh future based on cooperation not conflict. 
A future that we will take pride in, because we built it, Together!"

Please Vote Rotherham Independent, (our candidates are listed on the left hand side) there are one or two Independent candidates that are not part of the Rotherham Independents, if they are not listed they are not one of our Candidates. Please note that Wingfield Ward Independent candidate, Michael Sylvester, while not a member of our group, is a friend who you may vote for with confidence because he is part of the future too!.

Make the Future Happen on May 6th, Vote Independent for all our sakes!

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What makes Rotherham Independents Different?

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Rotherham Independents are totally committed to improving the way Rotherham is run and offer an alternative that is viable to the old sterile debates that go on in the Town Hall and in Parliament.

We reject the current approach because it excludes or ignores the views of the most important of all, you!

Our commitment to you is simple, we will represent you and will always take your views as our guide. We believe that listening to and involving the public is vital in any democracy but is sadly lacking in Rotherham, this has to change and we exist to do just that.

We reject prejudice and dogma, we believe that decisions must be made on the basis of robust evidence not mere political prejudice!

We have accepted as our guiding principles the Bell Principles that expand on Lord Nolan's, Seven Principles of Public Life, read them here.

We are criticised by some for having few policies, those thinking that have missed the point!

"It is the rigid adherence to policy, even when contradicted by evidence, that is the real problem!"

We are different, because we have open minds to all reasonable ideas for finding solutions to unsolved problems, we will decide on the basis of sound evidence not dogma.We believe that the people of Rotherham have a right to be involved, before, not after, decisions are made, a very refreshing approach, we think you will agree!

Party Politics has brought Rotherham to it's knees, we exist to provide the antidote to this failed approach and to renew peoples faith in the political process.

We have set out in detail our analysis of the underlying causes of the problems that Rotherham's people daily endure and our refreshingly new approach to them. We think you will be impressed!

Rotherham Independents

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Out and about, the campaign on the doorstep.

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Peter Thirlwall out campaigning on Saturday.

All our candidates are campaigning hard to win this year throughout Rotherham.  

Our simple, distinctive message is getting through to the voters. We represent the best chance for change and can be trusted to be an improvement to the tired old Political Parties who bring their tired dogmas to the Town Hall.

We are focussed on what is best for Rotherham, not on pursuing political careers at your expense nor are we interested in arguing arcane points of policy or grandstanding. We have turned our backs on party political games, we simply aren't interested in them, we want to bring people together to solve problems in a mature and reasoned way, a very refreshing change you will agree!

We have a very practical approach to all matters, we want to make decisions based on facts and evidence, not prejudice and ignorance that surrounds all decision making currently and results in decisions being made without any knowledge of the effects they will have. The debacle over the laundry proves our point.

We want to involve the people on matters that will directly impact on them, The Bramley Traffic chaos is a perfect example of the failure in community involvement, when coupled with one of the most arrogant, officious, dictatorial and dogmatic councillors, Gerald Smith. We see the resultant disaster before our eyes every time we drive through.

Tory 'dirty tricks' flushes out Labour. Judge for yourself!

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After Tony Mannion circulated his disgraceful abusive email missive, it triggered off a secondary abuse of the email system, this time by Labour Councillors who really should have known better than to compound the problem by abusing the system for Party political purposes and during an election period at that! The casual and seemingly contemptuous breaches that are exposed here are routine for Labour and Tory Councillors who are clearly pursuing common interests in stopping us!

Why has nothing changed with 10 Tories on the Council? You now have a hint of the true situation where they appear for all the world to have decided that they have carved up Rotherham between them, the voters being made irrelevant in the process. In Rotherham, it is clear that whether you vote Labour or Tory, the interests of the Councillors as a whole comes first and nothing will change at all whichever Party controls Rotherham as behind the scenes they are one and the same. Truly scandalous!

We publish them below so that the public can judge for themselves what is going on here:

-----Original Message-----
From: Boyes, Georgina
Sent: 14 April 2010 13:20
To: Akhtar, Jahangir; StJohn, Iain; Mannion, Anthony; Thirlwall, Peter
Cc: Members
Subject: RE: misleading information in breach of the Nolan principles
I've just received election literature from the Boston Castle candidate
indicating that she's going to put an end to Councillors' "scandalous
expenses".  As my - and I think most other Councillors' expenses are
zero, I'd like to know why this inaccurate information is being included
too.
Georgina

Georgina Boyes, who is standing down this year, appears to be trying to split hairs.

We are crystal clear, we believe that the cost to the taxpayer of £1,100,000 per year plus to keep our councillors is too much! We are committed to sort it out!

-----Original Message-----
From: Akhtar, Jahangir
Sent: Wed 14/04/2010 11:10
To: StJohn, Iain; Mannion, Anthony; Thirlwall, Peter
Cc: Members
Subject: RE: misleading information  in breach of the Nolan principles

And the Scurrilous allegations against Cllr Mannion still haven't been
taken down from the webb page !!!!!! This really is too much.
_____________________________________________
From: StJohn, Iain
Sent: 14 April 2010 09:25
To: Mannion, Anthony; Thirlwall, Peter
Cc: Members
Subject: RE: misleading information in breach of the Nolan principles

Tony,
Well upon my soul, now 24 hours has passed and still no response!
Poor show,
Iain
PS Blisters under control!
___________________________________________
From: Mannion, Anthony
Sent: 14 April 2010 09:21
To: StJohn, Iain; Thirlwall, Peter
Cc: Members
Subject: RE: misleading information in breach of the Nolan principles

Iain yes you're right it isn't. I know that there is a certain amount of
'rough and tumble' in any campaign I remember when I stood in Wales one
Labour leaflet said I had my own Oil Company - I wish!
But this is from the man who would have us believe he is wearing a white
suit, he has shouted that he has principles and that he wants to get
away from the old politics yet he falls at the first hurdle, although I
am sure that that it is as unsurprising to you as it is to me.

Best regards and hope you don't get too many blisters in the next few
weeks, Tony m
     -----Original Message-----
    From:     StJohn, Iain
    Sent:    13 April 2010 17:42
    To:    Mannion, Anthony; Thirlwall, Peter
    Cc:    Members
    Subject:    RE: misleading information  in breach of the
Nolan principles
    Tony,
    Already nearly 9 hours have elapsed since I received this
"shocking" news, & still no retraction of the offending statement.

    Not good enough.
    Iain

Illuminating isn't it!


Rotherham Independents
Campaign Team

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The 'Sitwell Polecat' and Dirty Tricks Exposed!

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We were surprised and dismayed that our Tory opponent in Sitwell Ward, Tony Mannion, should stoop so low as to mount what appears for all the world to be a 'dirty tricks' operation against Jean Thirlwall our Candidate standing in Sitwell this year.

Tony Mannion, this year's Tory candidate in Sitwell Ward, issuing ridiculous threats and behaving in a most intemperate and intimidating manner, demonstrates the old political thuggery at its finest and reflects very badly on himself, raising the issue of his basic fitness to serve Sitwell's voters as a Councillor?

The fact that he abused the Council email system in carrying it out, just adds to the level of offence caused. Clearly the Council email system is not there to carry out political vendettas.

I reproduce the email below:

From: Mannion, Anthony
Sent: 13 April 2010 09:06
To: Thirlwall, Peter
Cc: Members
Subject: misleading information in breach of the Nolan principles

Dear Cllr Thirlwall,
I was shocked to find misleading information on the blog of your candidate against me in the local election which gives the impression that I do not and have never lived in the ward; the sentence reads "Unlike the other candidates I have lived and brought up my children in the Sitwell Ward..."
This is obviously far from the truth as I have lived in the ward since moving to the ward two months after being elected, just under four years ago.
I believe that placing misleading information like this before the public breaches at least one of the principles that you and your crew have signed up to so I will give two days to remove it. If it is not removed I will report you and your wife and/or her agent to the Police and the Electoral Commission.
You see that's the trouble when you claim to have principles you have to live up to them.

Yours Cllr Mannion

PS I know how you and your mob like to send round robins so I thought I'd let the rest of the councillors know how you're getting on with your new principles.

When this attack is added to the Advertiser letters pages of last Friday, a picture is beginning to emerge of panicking Tories dismayed at our relative popularity and the fact that locally and nationally they are going backwards with a most unconvincing campaign.

In attempting to derail our campaign in this way it simply serves to highlight the fact that the poor voters of Sitwell have something to think about before blindly re-electing this spiteful and immature Councillor. He seems to be a real throwback to the days of the old Tories and Maggie, Norman Tebbitt and company. Certainly not the nice cuddly Tory that Cameron now pretends make up the Party. A fully paid up member of the 'Nasty Party' if ever there was one!

We also have heard that a new nickname has been coined for Mannion, the 'Sitwell Polecat' is doing the rounds.

Meanwhile Jean Thirlwall, our candidate, is quietly gathering significant support in this previously Labour now Tory seat of Sitwell. Things on the ground are very interesting indeed with both Tory and Labour voters choosing Jean as the best hope for the future, something that truly humbles us as the extent of the public's trust in us becomes apparent. We are grateful for this and pledge that we will not let you down!

Rotherham Independents
Campaign Team

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Rotherham Independents - View on Immigration

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Rotherham Independents candidates are busy campaigning for support to bring about the end to the Municipal Merry go round between the discredited old parties Labour and Tories that simply have no convincing answers to the problems ordinary people face every day.

We have listened to the voters and considered our view on the most common question we are asked on the doorstep and in the street as we go about our campaigning. The thorny topic of immigration and the resultant problems it is causing within our communities. 

We exist to provide a fresh approach to political issues that the people want a say in and are being excluded currently from influence in even though it daily affects their lives. We exist to give the 'great ignored' a voice in the future running of their Town.

Rotherham Independents - Views on Immigration

The Problem

• The overall lack of control of the situation combined with the view that the Labour Government assumed that they would all vote Labour in elections and connived at bring in 700,000 economic migrants, in just 2 years, no wonder things are not going smoothly!
• Most would agree that our borders should be properly controlled and be able to 'count people in and count them out' when they leave. We should be in control of who is here, the fact that we cant, worries most people, quite rightly.
• The rights granted to EU citizens by our Government. Only 3 countries other than ourselves granted these rights to the 2004 entrants to the EU.
• Asylum Seekers who ultimately are refused 'leave to remain'.  (often referred to as bogus in the press)                      
• Illegal Immigration, in fact ordinary citizens will never in fact know they exist.
• The issue of amnesty for the current illegal entrants already here.
• The effects that the burden is perceived as being unacceptably high in both financial terms and the burden on community resources such as Schools, Housing,  Social Services and Health.
• There is a perception that those who are recently arrived enjoy benefits denied to the host community. This perception is very divisive, it is strongly felt and far more complex than often portrayed by some disreputable political parties.

 Rotherham Independents View

• The Government has a duty to control our borders. We will insist that this happens.
• The Government should not have granted a general right of admission for EU citizens. We will argue against this.
• We do need skills from abroad and many of our citizens work abroad in other countries, their rights too must be considered. We will support a proper, points based, system to replace the current, chaotic approach, to economic migration.
• No one would wish to deny entry to those fleeing tyranny and persecution but it seems to any reasonable person to be open to abuse. We want the issue to be re-examined from basic principles, to give us a system that is understood and respected by all. We will argue for, and cooperate with those of goodwill to sort out this mess.
• The burdens placed on our local communities are unacceptably high and residents have legitimate concerns which they want addressed.. We will argue that proper funding must be available to host communities to offset the unfair cost burden.
• Those here illegally are queue jumpers by another name, nor do we approve of an amnesty, as that would end up rewarding them for this and be grossly unfair for all concerned. We are not in favour of an amnesty for those illegals already here.

We are convinced that it is time that the people got involved, on this as so many issues when people of 'good will' do not speak out the the racist bigots get the field to themselves and any open and honest approach is likely to be ignored in the general confrontation.

Rotherham Independents

Campaign Team

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The Rotherham Independents Answer!

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All of us involved in the Rotherham Independents Campaign have become increasingly angry and frustrated about the poor way that decisions that affect all our lives are taken. The parade of greed, sleaze and corruption that has been the daily diet of all news for a very long time now has sickened us but galvanized us into decisive action.

Increasing numbers of Independents have stood in Public Elections with some success. There are currently two Independent Borough Councillors, a growing number on the Town Councils and a number on Parish Councils.  Our roots go back longer than most would suppose because we didn't have any local elections last year this is our first chance to challenge the tired old ways that belong in the past, not making our future.

"We now know for a fact that nothing will improve if no one acts. 
No one else will do it for us!"

In this spirit, our group could be entitled 'Rotherham People Do It for Themselves!' and this is exactly the spirit that motivates us and shows what we are trying to achieve.

We have a unique approach to our opponents, we are guided in all that we do by the values embodied in both the Bell Principles and the Seven Principles of Public Life. See below.

We are not, nor ever will be, a political party in any traditional sense because we work openly, involving rather than excluding opinions and building consensus, wherever possible, without the baggage of dogma or prejudice.

We are cooperators and not interested in the worn out answers to the same questions that the old parties have not solved in over a century of trying it their way. 

We bring a fresh and open approach so the general public can have their say and we will listen, consider, then let you all know our view on any issue, no matter how thorny and controversial. A good example of this way of working can be see here as we start the process of putting detailed, mature and honest solutions to the problems that you are talking to us about and face every day.

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"We exist to challenge the status quo, to take on the unacceptable practices of those who control Rotherham currently and Change Rotherham for Good!" 

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Why is Politics in Rotherham Broken?

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Rotherham has suffered at the hands of the politicians, especially those who are members of national political parties. They bring their inflexible dogmas to issues and they rehearse their sterile arguments in the Town Hall. This old fashioned way of working, brings no benefit whatsoever for us, Rotherham's people!

One Party rule since Rotherham became a Metropolitan Borough in 1974, coupled with a catastrophic collapse in local and national membership of the Labour Party has resulted in the Labour Group thinking they own the town 'lock stock and barrel' and that Rotherham exists to keep them in the relative luxury they currently enjoy.

The Labour Group think that it does not matter that they will be fielding, probably, the least able slate of candidates in the history of RMBC.

The Labour Administration, led by Roger Stone, is basically incompetent, lacks vision and is held together by patronage, fear and old fashioned blind loyalty as well as a share in the over £1,100,000 pot to console them. 

Our council has, as it always had, the reputation of being the most 'Officer led' in the country! Yet micromanagement (interference by councillors often not legally) is rife, while they are completely indifferent to their role providing political oversight which is legal and is the role they were actually elected to do.

Even, the now, 10 Tory councillors, have failed to provide anything like an effective or organised opposition and appear more interested in the General Election to come and national political arguments than improving the governance of Rotherham or the lives of it's people. 

This has been a profound disappointment to many who yearn for change and thought they might get it by voting Tory. 

The same truth applies as it has always has, ordinary people shouldn't trust the Tories – they forget this at their peril!

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Local Elections are on!

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Rotherham Independents Local Government Candidates 2010

Keith Lockley Independent 
for Brinsworth & Catcliffe Ward

Andy Foster

Independent for Hellaby Ward

Paul Martin

Independent Candidate Holderness Ward

Andy Newton

Independent for Hoober Ward

Ted Millward

Independent for Maltby Ward

Rob Foulds 

Independent for Rother Vale Ward

Geoff Outram

Independent for Silverwood Ward

 



Jean Thirlwall

Independent for Sitwell Ward

Dave Ridgway

Independent for Valley Ward

Peter Blanksby 
Independent for Wales Ward