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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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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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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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