Rotherham Independents are nearly ready.

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Rotherham Independents are nearly ready. We took this photo yesterday and we thought you would like to see it here first. We are contesting eleven wards this year and the parliamentary seat of Rotherham.

Peter Thirlwall and the Rotherham Independents Local Government Candidates for 2010

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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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Rotherham Independents are getting ready for action!

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Our candidates for this May's Council Elections and our growing band of supporters are furiously preparing for the electoral battle to come, here in Rotherham.
Independents such as ourselves are always at a disadvantage by comparison to all the existing National Parties.
Firstly, because of the lack of any local 'infrastructure of support'.
Secondly, Electoral Law is also biased against local grass roots groups, such as ourselves.
Lastly the main National Parties spend many thousands of pounds promoting their candidates, whereas we are able to bring only a tiny fraction of this to use informing the voters about ours.
Our campaign nevertheless will be passionate, we believe that we offer a genuine and viable alternative to the tired, riddled with patronage and control freak old parties that, between them, have brought our Town to it's knees.
We believe that our open approach as opposed to the secretive nature of both the main parties on the Council, is just what Rotherham needs, a new, fresh start from the exhausted, corrupt and greedy past.
Together we can change Rotherham for Good!

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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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Peter Thirlwall and Ben Slade Challenge Greedy Rotherham Councillors

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Our Independent councillors, Peter Thirlwall and Ben Slade, are proposing the following change to Council Policy at the Full Council meeting on Wednesday February 3rd:

"At a time of severe pressures on the Council budget, this Council resolves to discontinue first class rail travel for Councillors and use the money saved to support front line services for the people of Rotherham."

Peter will be proposing and Ben will be seconding the proposal.

Rotherham Independents Campaign members are fully supportive and consider it the most reasonable thing to do when Rotherham's residents are suffering great economic hardship.

In a bi-partisan approach to fellow councillors, Peter has written individually to all Rotherham councillors asking them to consider what Rotherham's people want, just for once.

What Peter has said to them:

 "Dear Fellow Councillor,

On Wednesday at the full Council Meeting I will be proposing the following motion to bring to an end the practise of using first class travel whilst on Council business.

Motion to Council on the 3^rd February 2010

"At a time of severe pressures on the Council budget, this Council resolves to discontinue first class rail travel for Councillors and use the money saved to support front line services for the people of Rotherham."

Proposed:  Councillor Peter Thirlwall

Seconded:  Councillor Ben Slade

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, a sign that you do not live in the same world as them. For just once take a decision to save some taxpayers money to help save the front line services that your constituents may rely on.

Collectively councillors in Rotherham are already amongst the most well rewarded in the country. Last year each of you received the basic allowance of £12,271. Most of you in addition have received 'special responsibility allowances' varying from a Cabinet Adviser on £1.203 to the Leader of the council on £32,544. The Special Responsibility Allowances cost the taxpayer a total of £356,150. A grand total of £1,136,767 last year in fact!

The fact that you insist on getting every last penny out of us, is nothing short of an outrage, especially when it comes at the end of a financial year when you have made swingeing cuts to essential services that the most vulnerable in our communities depended upon.

I would point out to you that these cuts are occurring now, before any of the post election belt tightening that all parties are promising to come. I do hope that you do not suggest that, even in a time of great austerity in public services, you are totally unwilling to share any of the pain? (If giving up first class travel could in any way be described as pain.)

Finally I make the plea, once again, on behalf of all in Rotherham for you to stop first class travel. 

Yours,

Councillor Peter Thirlwall

Rotherham Independents

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Rotherham Independent Candidates Adopt Core Principles

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We have watched with increasing concern over many years at the decline in basic standards of behaviour and partisan practices both here in Rotherham and at Westminster.

The people of Rotherham have been badly let down by their politicians, who are motivated largely by their own greed and narrow party interests. Rotherham's people deserve better!

We offer a fresh approach to traditional politics, one based on the highest standards of conduct and above all to take every issue on it's merits and base decisions on evidence rather than, as now, mere political prejudice. 

We do not claim to be perfect but we solemnly give our pledge to you that we will do our very best on behalf of you all.

We reproduce below the principles we are all committed  to uphold. 

The Bell Principles build upon Lord Nolan's Principles of 1995.
We will

• abide wholeheartedly by the spirit and letter of the Seven Principles of Public Life set out by Lord Nolan in 1995: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership
• be guided by considered evidence, our real world experience and expertise, our constituencies and our consciences
• be free of control of any political party, pressure group or whip
• be non-discriminatory, ethical and committed to pluralism
• make decisions transparently and openly at every stage and level of the political process, enabling people to see how decisions are made and the evidence on which they are based
• listen, consulting our communities constantly and innovatively treat political opponents with courtesy and respect, challenging them when we believe they are wrong, and agreeing with them when we believe they are right
• resist abuses of power and patronage and promote democracy at every level
• work with other elected independents as a group with a chosen spokesperson
• claim expenses, salaries and compensation openly so the public can judge the value for money of our activities

The Seven Principles of Public Life (Lord Nolan's 1995 Principles)

Rotherham Independents believe that the 'Seven Principles of Public Life' should apply to all in the public service. These are:

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Selflessness
Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other benefits for themselves, their family or their friends.

Integrity
Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might seek to influence them in the performance of their official duties.

Objectivity
In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.

Accountability
 Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.

Openness
Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.

Honesty 
 Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.

Leadership
Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.

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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.