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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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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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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Martin Bell Letter to Independent Candidates and Independent-Minded Voters

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Martin Bell OBE is a former independent MP for Tatton and a BBC war correspondent. He is a supporter of the Independent Network.

Let's make 6 May 2010 Independents' Day
An open letter to independent candidates and independent-minded voters.
I am writing on behalf of the Independent Network, the organisation that helps Independents help each other.
Independents have an unprecedented opportunity on 6 May to change the face of politics for good.  The MPs' expenses scandal has discredited many individual MPs, the parties that allowed it to happen and the House of Commons itself.  Many MPs with questionable expenses records have not been de-selected by their parties.  It is up to the voters to complete the process.
This is a time for independents to challenge the politics of the status quo; it is a time for independent Councillors either to stand for Parliament themselves or to help in the campaigns of others; it is a time to support the Independent Network by sending contributions to http://www.independentnetwork.org.uk/get-involved/donate
It is a time for the election of a group of MPs, without party baggage but with real world experience, to be a force for honest politics in the New House of Commons.  They will be answerable not to a political party but only to their constituents and their consciences. It won't be easy, but I believe that it is do-able.
If not us - who?  And if not now - when?

Yours Sincerely,
Martin Bell

Introducing Andy Newton - Candidate for Hoober Ward

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Andy Newton, a local born Rotherham man, lives in the Hoober Ward. He is 42, married to Lynn and they have a young family.

Educated in Rotherham Schools, Andy went on to become a Mechanical Engineer and became a successful local businessman.

Recent years have presented challenges and experiences that would have defeated all but the most resilient. Andy is the kind of person that adversity makes stronger and this is one of the factors that has led him to fight the Hoober Ward for a seat on the Council.

His experience in business has given him the perspective that would make him an asset on the council. He understands that both the people and businesses of Rotherham suffer under the weight of the leaden hand of the Council.

The current Councillors are indifferent to any pleas from residents for even the simplest and cheap solution to local problems, your Councillors are there to serve you, not themselves.

Andy says:

“I am standing for Hoober because it is time that the people were listened to for a change!

Your voice must be heard loud and clear!

With your help, I can be that voice!”

Andy Newton

Rotherham Independents Candidate

Hoober Ward

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Paul Martin - Independent for Holderness Ward

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The second of our candidates is now successfully nominated, Paul Martin for the Holderness Ward where his Labour opponent is none other than Gerald Smith, notorious for his high handed attitudes especially when dealing with those whose opinions differ from his own!

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Paul Martin - Independent for Holderness

This Ward will be a very interesting election battle ground in Rotherham this year as it will test the support for Labour to breaking point and beyond.

Our candidate, Paul Martin, a Parish Councillor for the last three years on Aston-cum-Aughton Parish Council.offers the electors of Holderness Ward a real alternative to the distant and dictatorial ways of the past. 

They may be confident that, in Paul, they have a 'Peoples Champion' and may elect him knowing that he will be representing them for a change. How refreshing!


Rotherham Independents

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Local elections kick off!

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The Notice of Election, published yesterday, marks the start of the Local Government Election this year in Rotherham.

 Jean with her husband, Peter Thirlwall

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Our first Candidate is now nominated! Jean Thirlwall stands with the voters of Sitwell for better governance of Rotherham and for a council not made up of those just in it for the money!

She is asking for the support of Sitwell's voters to bring the kind of change, not possible from either the Tories or Labour, to the Town Hall!

Jean represents the end to greed and Party partisanship that have brought Rotherham to it's knees!

Good 'Old Fashioned' honesty and decency must return to the Council!

Please take time to consider voting Rotherham Independent on May 6th

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The Rotherham Star Joins the Fray on First Class Travel!

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On Friday the Rotherham Star published the following story under the headline:

First class row over council rail travel
Published Date: 12 February 2010
By Richard Marsden

CALLS for a ban on first class train travel by members of a South Yorkshire council have been rejected.
The move was proposed by independent Rotherham councillor, Peter Thirlwall, who represents Wickersley.

At a full meeting of the council, he told fellow councillors: "I would ask you all to consider your position carefully before rejecting this motion, which would be taken by the vast majority of Rotherham people as a sign you do not live in the same world as them.........To read the rest of this story CLICK HERE

On Saturday they followed this up with an opinion piece:
Opinion The Star, Saturday, February 13,2010

Think again over first class travel 
 
COUNCILLORS in Rotherham ought to think twice about hanging on to their policy of paying for first class travel when they have to go to London on business.
They were asked to make the economy of buying cheaper tickets in future to show voters in the town that they are aware of the stringent times in which we all try to survive.
Refusing to consider this choice, councillors will leave many residents wondering if they are aware of the problems everyday folk endure during the credit crunch.
They should think again on this issue.

We, of course, agree with the Star!
Elected Members of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council cannot continue with extravagances such as this! They cost us, last year, over £1,100,000!

They are incapable or unwilling to change. Rotherham will wait in vain for Labour or the Tories to stop their party games and run Rotherham properly.

This is why we are asking for your support for Peter Thirlwall at the General Election, and for our Independent Candidates standing throughout the whole Town at the Local Elections, on May 6th. 

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Rotherham Independents - A Fresh Start for Rotherham!

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If, like us you are fed up with the way that Politicians in Rotherham always ignore our opinions and the needs of ordinary people. Then get busy and change things!

A grassroots group is now building rapidly throughout the Borough that offers you the chance to do something about it now! The Rotherham Independents is that group.

We were exactly like you, complaining a lot but doing nothing serious about it, often not even bothering to vote at all because we had no faith in any of them to make a difference.

We have tired of waiting for things to improve and decided to do it ourselves! No one else will do it for us, shake off your apathy and do something about it with us!

Join us! and help us change Rotherham for good!

Find out more about us, we are sure you will like what you find and are convinced that you will want to join us in changing Rotherham from the bottom up!

To add your name to our email circulation click on this link independentsteam@googlemail.com

To contact us or join us please phone us on: 01709541111 or mobile 07747633866

To email Peter Thirlwall click on this link peter.thirlwall@talktalk.net

Correspondence Address:
Rotherham Independents
6 Pinchwell View
Wickersley
Rotherham
S66 1FP

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Dr MacShane - Dr Disgrace, More Like!

The Advertiser has today lifted the lid on the extent and nature of MacShane's disreputable, dishonest and greedy attitude to spending your money.

We feel deeply embarrassed and hurt by his behaviour and now feel ashamed to come from Rotherham. This is set only to get worse as he 'wriggles on the hook' trying to refute the increasingly serious allegations about his conduct.

Peter Thirlwall's letter to MacShane raises other very serious issues. These questions must be answered, directly and openly.

MacShane has also gone missing again, raising the issue of his basic cowardice in front of his angry constituents. He has form for this! (last time he was away in Canada, wonder where he is this time?)

This is why Peter Thirlwall, our Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Rotherham, offers a distinct alternative to Labour and all the other traditional parties which have so badly let us down. 

We stand for open accountability for everything that is done in your name. Anything less than this is an affront to democracy! 

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Legg Report Out Today!

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Rotherham's MPs' today found out how much trouble they are in. 
Sir Thomas Legg's Report, published by the members estimates committee says the following about Rotherham's three MPs'

Rt Hon Kevin Barron MP
Rother Valley
Mr Barron has no issues.

Mr John Healey MP
Wentworth
Mr Healey was overpaid by a total of £2,354.35 for mortgage interest (£460.00 in
2004-05; £359.49 in 2005-06; £447.65 in 2006-07; £639.50 in 2007-08; and
£447.72 in 2008-09).

Rt Hon Denis MacShane MP
Rotherham
Dr MacShane was paid cleaning costs totalling £7,354.34 (£3,000.00 in 2004-05;
£2,341.34 in 2005-06; and £2,013.00 in 2007-08). This exceeded £2,000 a year by
£1,354.34.
In September and October 2008, he was paid £153.39 for gas without providing
sufficient evidence to show that this was a cost incurred at his second home, since
the only address on the bill related to his main home.
He should also provide mortgage interest statements to support payments totalling
£6,001.34 for the period April 2004 to January 2006. I recommend that he should
be allowed until 1 March 2010 to do this. If he does not do so, then in the absence
of any special or exceptional reasons to the contrary, he should repay the whole
amount of the allowance involved.

It must be emphasised that this information only applies to their use of the Additional Costs Allowance.
It is now time for Kevin Barron and Denis MacShane to provide their constituents with at least the same disclosure as John Healey, because it is our money they have spent and appear to have been taking liberties when it comes to claiming ACA.

Peter Thirwall said, "Denis MacShane has a lot of explaining to do", and " I am sure that everyone in Rotherham will be horrified at this and I feel he should stand down now, as labours candidate, before the election, it is that serious in my view"

We are saddened and upset by the greed throughout parliament and it strengthens our resolve to work harder to give the electorate a real choice at the General and local elections to come.

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Rotherham Independents Campaign Nears Lift Off!

This is where you will be able to find out all about the Rotherham Independents Campaign.

Latest News

Today, Friday 29th January, a group of Independently inclined Rotherham folk got together to adopt the 'Bell Principles' and the 'Seven Principles of Public Life' as the guiding principles of the campaign. (See bottom of page)

It was decided to field candidates throughout Rotherham in the Local Elections this year and also to field a candidate at the General Election in the Rotherham Constituency. We will present them all to you soon.

Meanwhile this photograph gives you a first glimpse of those endorsed candidates we could get together in one place - there are more.