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

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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