This article is in response to the articles by Alan Piper, and in furtherance, to four articles (one and two) I penned on this very subject in the Independence Daily in 2018 and 2019. However, at that time, Brexit was in danger, and The Brexit Party was about to create history, so the concept of independents operating collectively as a campaigning mechanism but independent of political thought individually had to wait. It just wasn’t the right time.
Before expanding on what’s happened with other independent groups, I’ll update you with where I am, and perhaps where the idea is at the moment in my locality.
I, along with a long-term colleague, friend and staunch campaigner, are standing in the County Council elections as independents. We had originally chosen to stand for Reform UK, but the combination of Nigel Farage’s resignation as leader and the lack of organisation, ground troops and our feeling that national recognition for Reform UK was weak, we embarked upon a concept similar to my original ideas and the Alan Piper article. There wasn’t time to register the name as a political party for this election, but that is clearly advantageous for any local group to do.
Despite the oxymoron of a political party being independents, which is purely a result of electoral law, it is the way to go. If you want to use the ‘town name’ + independents, then the only way that can appear on the ballot paper is if that local organisation is registered as a political party. Without that, the only word that can appear on the ballot paper is ‘Independent’, which loses the connection of the locality and the advantages it brings.
It’s clear from former electoral successes by independents, and market surveys, that associating the name of the town with the ‘independent’ tag is electorally advantageous. People like the idea that it’s their own people, as it engenders a sense that the candidate is local, likely to be on their side, has a connection with where they live, and that connection can be greater than the connection with a faceless national political party.
The ballot paper is all-important. Where your name appears on it (top or bottom) affects results. In FPTP elections it’s in alphabetical order of the candidates, in national proportional elections it is in alphabetical order of the parties. People are influenced by that small piece of paper. For diehard party supporters it’s irrelevant, but for those who are disenchanted (very many) an acceptable alternative, particularly for local elections is an attractive offer.
Being politically involved people, we (the readers of the Daily and like-minded others) are also politically aware, but most people aren’t, and it’s those numbers that really count. Imagine that many of the voters (probably most of them) haven’t read your leaflet, have no idea who you are, or what you stand for, but are annoyed with politicians and political parties in general. The ballot paper can make all the difference. For some, anyone but them is good enough, others, though, might need the additional reassurance that ‘town name’ + independents can bring.
In an election where, typically, only 30% of registered electors bother to vote, the outcomes aren’t as critical as a perceived national election for the government. Not being them, is the greatest electoral advantage for independents, despite it also being the shallowest. Adding the local connection significantly improves the likelihood of them ticking your name when they have the ballot paper in front of their eyes.
So how best to structure this concept?
Before detailing that, it is important to recognise that new political parties will not create the electoral changes needed. We have witnessed two grand attempts to do this, firstly with the SDP, a long and distant memory for most of us, and UKIP.
Both of these political entities had huge profiles leading them. The gang of four were all Labour cabinet members. David Owen, Roy Jenkins, Shirley Williams and Bill Rogers. UKIP had the charismatically huge profile of Nigel Farage, arguably the most successful politician of the decade, yet neither of these political parties could break the mould. It would require a huge stretch of one’s credible thinking to imagine that any celebrity or minor political figure could succeed where these political giants had not. Yet change is so desperately needed.
My view is that the national approach will not work, so the alternative is a local one.
To maximise the locality advantage the political-party name has to be the campaigning unit. However, there is no reason why many local independent groups and their respective political parties could not be part of an overarching organisation. One which would organise and fund activities to encourage and train people who hadn’t, hitherto, thought of standing for office. Such an organisation could support many locally established parties as well as giving a degree of authenticity and confidence in candidates by endorsing them. Critically, that organisation must be non-profit and structured without the concept of ownership (Limited by Guarantee), because it will be managing the money.
The best and most connective local unit would be at constituency level or smaller. County is better than national, but not as good as town. Divisions or wards are likely to be even more effective, but the advantage of the collective organisation is that these groups of independents can be any size.
Maybe, in time, we’ll gradually extend the influence of independents in local government. The effect of this will enhance the probability of an independent being elected to parliament. Remember that we have no national elections in the UK, only 650 local ones. Perhaps a good quality candidate with the right support, endorsement and funding can win a constituency, perhaps many, and it will be from these small beginnings that national change can be brought about.
Candidates of political parties must be members of that political party, and even the party of government, at constituency level, have pitiful membership numbers. This narrows the field considerably for candidate selection. Independents, on the other hand, can be selected from a population of around 70,000 electors in a constituency, so the chances of recruiting first-class candidates is much higher.
For now, though, we wait and see how the next election pans out. This is a long-term strategy, and perhaps the only way to enable national political change short of revolution.
The overarching legal entity we’ve created is Political Independents Ltd, A company limited by guarantee and on a not-for-profit basis. This would be the vehicle for political parties of independents to work within. Our current campaigning website is tonbridgeindependents.org, yet donations and expenditure are under the auspices of the company.
These local elections are a litmus test. Our real objective is to spend the next two years encouraging independent candidates to step forward. We hope to have a good quality candidate in every one of the 54 wards in 2023, in our constituency. This pattern is being repeated elsewhere, The Democratic Network is another organisation with a similar idea. From these variations in approach, we could have a better chance of finding one that works well.
We desperately need change, and this patient and ground up approach might just be the way to do it.
Off the shelf ltd Companys Ltd by liability or Guarantee are easily obtained. Look in classified ads of FT and advice. Budget 200.
Yes, they are, but also essential as any organisation needs a vehicle to work through. Companies limited by shares (like ‘The Brexit Party Ltd) means the share owner also own all the money (Nigel F). With companies limited by guarantee, nobody owns the money and with a not for profit declaration in the articles no profit can be improperly used, i.e. it becomes surplus, not profit. Therefore donors can be assured that their donations will go toward the objectives of the organisation. This is an essential element.
What was your point, though, in making this observation?
Just to let people know it’s not difficult, and help is available if needed
Not legal, just experienced. The voice of a user if you like.
I read David’s article with great interest and certainly get the significance of adding location to independent and the issues around ballot papers, leaflets and so on.
That said, my instinct has been to start at the national level and work down, with the concept of Like-Minded Independents at the heart of it because it seems to me that that is the collaboration we need, and to do that by reaching out to influential voices with significant clout beyond politics including, for example, those who are currently very critical of the whole CV mess. Only yesterday I think, an article appreared on conservative woman talking about the need for a Nurenburg-style trial into the Govt’s handling of CV and previously voices such as Lord Sumption, Andrew Neil and others, plus alternative media outlets have been consistently critical. CV is by far the biggest issue and the longer Baris drags it out, the better in one sense. But strong voices are not going to become overt political supporters without a platform that they can thouroughly research in advance imho, and then consider contributing to.
To that end, Viv has offered us capability on this site to make a start on just that, (Viv pls correct if I misunderstand) with a consistently available link to what was previously used for Branches, where we can set out what we are about, breaking the ConLab stranglehold by initially at least, exposing the appalling mishandling of Covid every which way we can. It’s not like we are short of other targets, woke or otherwise, but CV is the big one right now for me. I wish I knew who Helena keeps refering too regarding the London mayoral contest. A case in point though, DK competing with Lawrence Fox who is constantly popping up on my FB. Do they both want to be mayors rather than collaberate with one they agree with?
To be fair, David has also talked about an overarching organisation and has called one Political Independents. Of course I agree with the sentiment and that in due course it has to properly structured as he proposes but at this stage I suggest the name should reflect the objective, a collaboration of Like-Minded and how their objectives might be ultimately achieved through politics and specifically a political collaboration of like minded independents. .
My hope is that a group working collaberatively could quickly become widely known as an affiliation of independents worth supporting (which in turn would add weight to any ballot paper). Our goal is not just the electoral demolition of the ConLab conspiracy, it is also to define what we regard as an honest and credible alternative. The once mighty Labour Party has already all but achieved its self destruction I suggest and the patriotic, pro nation, erstwhile Labour voters who lent their vote to Boris are probably very much regretting do so. I suggest if we can define a financially responsible, pro nation, patriotic alternative without the trappings of socialism or marxism, we would gain support from both sides of traditional politics.
We are those independents Ladies and Gentlemen. Can we define a series of ideas and objectives? Suggests please, and as soon as I know how to take up Viv’s offer, they will be there.
On a separate note, another key area is going to be cultivating contacts. Funnily enough I don’t have Lord Sumption’s phone number but if we can refer contacts to a site where their anonymity can be safeguarded, that opens up possibilities imho.
Alan, I understand why you would like to begin at national level, but the recent history of independents has all been local. Thurrock Independents, controlled the council, Swale Independents have been successful, Borough Green and Long Mill in the Tonbridge and Malling constituency secured all three borough council seats in 2019 as independents standing under ‘Independence Alliance Kent’. What you are suggesting is exactly what exists already, probably in many locations, one being https://www.thedemocraticnetwork.org/ set up by Nigel Jacklin.
This organisation, like so many others, including new political parties and hugely overoptimistic London Mayoral candidates, is devoid of any political reality yet filled with abundant enthusiasm. For example their (The Democratic Network) electoral hooks are below and are nothing more than meaningless tosh. Nigel, though, cannot see that.
1. Behave with humanity
2. Give equal regard to all lives
3. Hold a comprehensive public inquiry and a balanced public debate
4. Safeguard all that makes life worth living
5. Get the economy moving for the sake of our children
The evidence as we have it is that an electoral grouping (which has to be a political party to use that name on the ballot paper) will be much more successful if the location name is part of the party name. It also stands to reason that Independents are independents, therefore the concept of like minded cannot include commitment to a political ideology or they wouldn’t be very independent.
Political Independents Ltd, does not seek to impose a political ideology, just support local independent groups, of which there is only one at there moment, Tonbridge Independents.
However, nothing breeds success like success. We will see how the May 6th election go. It will be an indication of support. Not entirely so because only the word independent will appear on the ballot paper, but in 2022 in the next round of borough council elections, our success will be surely measured by a) how many candidates we can stand our of 54 places and b) real electoral success.
If only some of the celebrity names could get behind something that could change our politics as opposed to the massive ego trip they all want to be on, we might move forward faster.
However, support is needed and without that all ideas will die. With only 30% of electors voting in local elections (and 60% of postal voters tend to vote, making the proportion of the others dire indeed), few seem to care that much, but we will see.
I’m sorry. ! I’m really confused.!…. Different groups seem to have taken different routes . What is conjecture and what is fact, and what are the ramifications of fact., or in certain cases facts about conjecture.. But the Ltd company is a fovoured route But a name comes first How much of a name does the Independence rout infringe on the Political party registration rout. Can you get elected as Like Minded Independent or as Tonbridge independent or as Tonbridge Independence Party Ltd ( in some way ) and does the Tonbridge bit get on the ballot paoer etc etc.
Can we communicate through the pages of ID in some specific way ? Or at least an alternative to a web site..Or have you just told me and I’m too dim.?
The corporate structure is there to deal with the money and provide the common needs, such as training, promotional material communications etc. The legal standing of a company limited by guarantee means that no person owns the funds. The not for profit declaration in the articles ensures that no person or other entity, other than those supported by the objectives of the company, can benefit from the company funds. Political Independents Ltd, is not a political party and never needs to be one. It simply supports political parties which are made up of independent candidates. It does not get involved in politics and is not a political entity. There may be benefit in time as being an authenticator for candidates as the larger political parties are, i.e. you are standing for the Conservative, Labour etc, so the assumption is that you are ‘qualified, vetted and altogether suitable for the role.
In order for that to cut through though it would need people of standing to be associated with it.
Yes I got that David. But all committees get captured sooner or later, and after that, there are very few mechanisms to prevent Hitler again, and they are really only patrtial answers but they are there, and it is proven possible. Sort of. Otherwise , choose between a mad man and a crazy warring committee ending up the same. One of the ways of choosing is of course a regular pandemic.
David, thank you for writing this article. In what was/is East Surrey UKIP branch we are all now standing as Independents this year. (explanation later) We have a local plan problem here – dumping an overspill town on Greenbelt. (Do you know how much the major developers donate to the Tory party?) I worked with a team of parish Cllrs, residents group & CPRE fighting this when I was a county Cllr – with all the proposed potential sites in my division! We stood aside for the Residents Group, who did go down the party registration route, to remove TWO Tory council leaders; we stood aside for the Independents in the threatened wards, standing elsewhere so everyone had either a UKIP or Ind candidate to vote for. In 2019 the council went to NOC but the treacherous LibDems sided with the Tories to keep them in power.
As UKIP any of us would have worked with the Ind/RA group, our aims were the same, residents first and protect the Greenbelt. Some of us can’t stand as UKIP as we are proud and honourable members of the club of those Ben Walker has suspended illegitimately so would not get our DNO certs signed. One by one the others have joined us. Let’s face it, with the delusional fantasist standing for London Mayor (however did he pass vetting) it is far too embarassing.
BTW David, did you know that the Alliance for Democracy & Freedom is offering help to Indy candidates? You’ll find some familiar and honourable faces there.
Helena, there are many groups following a similar path, and there is nothing wrong with that. However, the critical factor seems to be, use the locality name in the party name. It’s like a free booster rocket. Parties like ‘Alliance for Democracy & Freedom’ have zero resonance locally, but there are many of these groups, some with an excess of optimism over reality. Most places have planning problems, we do that’s for sure. Most places have abuses by Conservatives (and the others). We have a particularly ‘two fingers up to the electorate’ example which we’ve used on our leaflet: https://www.tonbridgeindependents.org/leaflet/ and which we hope might stimulate some dissatisfaction.
Good luck in your quest.
If candidates are members of a Party then that Party will have to select and approve prospective candidates for an election. Only one could be selected, whilst two or three (work with me here) might wish to contest on different policy platforms. this might be no bother initially but if we are ever to render the Party system obsolete (which we must) then it would be untenable in the future. So my thinking is that yes we should have a central support organisation which is not affiliated to any Party, but we may need more than one local independent Party to enable more than one independent candidate to stand for a single post.This gets complicated but until the concept takes off it may be necessary and could be managed. Ultimately we should aim to reform the rules and revert to independents standing as individuals and not as Party members. I suppose in theory each candidate could form his own Party but I can’t see that as desirable or catching on!
In an FTPT election competing independents doesn’t work. You are right that anyone can stand as an independent, but if you compare Joe Bloggs Independent to Joe Bloggs Tonbridge Independents, the latter will get more votes. Multiple independents, though, aren’t likely and highly unlikely in general elections. It turns out that most people can’t even be bothered to vote, let alone stand.
David Allen. I know virtually nothing about how to win elections but:-
I would have thought that registering a group of Independents as a Party was the wrong way to go. Why do you need to get involved with the Electoral Commission?
Also why do you say voters do not read the leaflets they receive? I would have thought that was the most important way for a candidate to introduce him/herself. Leafleting every door in the area is a mammoth task but just think that if it can be done and the leaflet is good, it just might get people interested enough to vote. Email details on the leaflet would be a great advantage too.
From long experience of doing this it’s clear that political leaflets often make a swift journey from the doormat to the bin. As for being a party I explained why in the article.
Pauline…….With a political leaflet going through a letterbox and landing on a doormat, you only have 20 seconds to make an impression on the recipient, so its important to only have only bullet point content. Anything that cannot be read in that 20 second time frame is a waste of time, and will not be read by the average punter. Elections are won by canvassing at the doorstep by speaking to the voter in person and the careful recording of pledges on the electoral register. Then by manning all polling stations on election day when voting numbers are recorded one can tell whether your pledges have voted, and if they haven’t you then go and knock them up. This is called ‘getting the vote out. This process is undertaken by all mainstream political parties, and that is why they are good at winning seats and gaining control of councils and ultimately forming a government. To do this you need a large pool of manpower on which to draw who are dedicated to the cause. In UKIP we didn’t have anything like the numbers to do this and the result was only two MP’s in parliament and control of only one local authority, namely Thanet. You are right, leafleting every single residential address in an election is indeed a mammoth task, and in our County Council division we have in excess of 16,000 homes to deliver to, and to date have delivered our leaflet to 70% of those addresses with only seven people to draw upon, which means you’re out all day every day for four weeks at least.
I Disagree Colin. The approach I trialled ( Admittedly small scale ) of handing out readable leaflets of certain types, with sveral bullet points, outside Cafes , bus station, Railway station and anywhere people are happy to sit down and read something not too controversial. Particularly if it sported a cartoon and joke or two. Heads or pompous groups were a no. The best responses were from train stations, but frowned on by officials, so had to be outside station, and Nero’s.
Aded to this the bullying approach seems to annoy many, who walk ten paces and drop it.
The front door approach is IMHO not very good, and excruciatingly dispiriting.
Our local takeaways have had a boom from their leafleting through the letterbox, but you’ld expect that wouldnt you.
My belief is that actually knocking on the door is self delusional and only adds to the hatred of politics A small table containg factual multi-leaflets with Banners and chairs works , particularly with genuine questioners.
To me the letters thru letterboxes is not the best use of people,as well as being exhausting and bruising.
I do not care what pseudo studies have been carried out ( probably with plentiful and disposable thick lttle lefties – Labour ?). My thoughts were duplicated months later by Peter Crouch who engaged in a similar leafletting campaign successfully.
It sounds as if you are disagreeing with something you have little knowledge of. Leaflets often get short shrift, particularly if the recipient is of a different party. Independents may get a little more reading time, but there’s no real evidence as to what works with regard to information. For example people don’t vote on manifestos as nobody reads the bloody things. I’ve used A5 booklets, which seemed to get more attention, and 8 page newspapers, 52,000 of which were delivered on my behalf as the UKIP candidate in Rochester and Strood in the 2017 General Election. I saved my deposit in an otherwise difficult election as Mrs. May had promised to get Brexit done, most UKIP votes went Conservative.
What you think is delusional (a peculiar term for someone who doesn’t understand how these things work) is the way the Conservative and Labour parties have won elections in the past. The Conservative party is the most successful election winning machine in the world (where democracy truly exists), so to decry their methods is foolish. You clearly don’t get the dynamics. Bearing in mind that most seats are foregone conclusions the canvassing and GOTV you think is pointless, makes all the difference in the marginal areas.
You are right, in that your small trial is probably not enough to base conclusions on. It depends on what it was about, elections do tend to bring out the disinterested characteristics of people, particularly local ones in which only around 30% of registered voters bother to vote at all.
Why don’t you visit our website and see the leaflet? You can then decide if you think it good or not: https://www.tonbridgeindependents.org/leaflet/
I have done. There is no doubt, your site is better than some. There is no doubting your sincerity or dedication. That is not necessarily enough. In depth consideration has to be given. Giving away leaflets is a time honoured method. Yours and Colins experience of it is huge. But, you do seem to be saying that because something else has never been trial’d it won’t work. However I believe that One thoughtful convert who has actually read it will influence far more than otherwise.
There is much good, clear thinking here.
To that needs to be a means where by many independent people amalgamate so as to be able to present coherent objectives and a policy by which they can be achieved. Given time it may be possible.
But equally, over time, variations, emphasis and nuances may produce so much variety and alternatives that the characteristic that stands out is “independence”. Governance needs leadership.
Very interesting proposition on what appears to be a do-able framework from which to slowly expand and succeed in building a loyal following . It is not too ambitious. It does not involve raising a great of money. You do not need a traditional branch network.. Candidates can select and campaign on local issues. MSM cannot engage in targetting an erring candidate in the hope of smearing the whole party as they constantly attempted with UKIP and other parties they wished to destroy. Small beginnings, loosely associated but with ambitions to come together when the time, resources and increased interest by the general public presents itself.
Would be interested in learning how the author envisages the grouping to bond together ideologically without forming a traditional party if and when the ‘movement’ were in a position to engage in national and other elections.
From Alan Piper’s first paragraph : “…. in 2018 and 2019. However, at that time, Brexit was in danger….” Well, Brexit’s still in danger now, Alan!
“enable national political change short of revolution”
I hope that is possible but, given the entrenched position of those in government and current voting habits, it may be that revolution turns out to be the only way. Of course that is far easier for the people of the US with their Second Amendment…
We would still need a better system post-revolution, so the work needs to start now.
Re above… heaven help us. Four paragraphs of I don’t know what. Beam me up Scotty….
Re above, this reply to the TG Spokes rant.
You are correct Colin, Far too many questions and comments loosely connected I try to limit myself, but can get carried away on occasion. And it was in response to the idea of losing the party system. That would be very silly.
We just need a third or more parties.
After which the manifesto system would be forced to reform to get votes.for the differences.
Apropos of nothing the phrase “Young Independents” came to mind.
“We”, well most of us on here are old buffers (not likely to be many potential Conservatives or Labour or anything young amongst us)
We are discussing the formation (eventually) of an organisation of like minded Independents who will eventually replace wholesale the toxic parliamentary system and inmates and bring wayward Civil Serpents to heel in the bargain.
I submit that with the best will in the world it will be an impossible task for our generation alone and whatever we do MUST include and eventually encompass the young (perhaps up to 50 years old)
“We” might know what is toxic about what has gone before, “We” might even understand the reasons for Brexit and the overriding necessity of regaining the total sovereignty of an independent nation and the necessity of holding our position of leadership in world affairs supported by the Commonwealth.
Collective Independents are going to have a strong national educational role, the organisation must ensure this extends to all ages and that some/much of that education comes from enthusiastic/fully clued up young members.
Above all we must have clear objectives LAID DOWN from the start, we cannot appear as amateurs
The party system was invented as a way to actually govern. Until then you actually needed a sword, Everyone with their own demands, Chaos.
So we need a means of curbing to promote discussion and decision, not destroying everything. The best way to do that IMHO is to outlaw ‘ parachuting ‘ to improve the democratic system, to require presence for voting in .law changes, and to outlaw lobbying and other sources of corruption.
Finally we have the problem of communications. ! And the lack of power in the country, which has led to over powerful communications relaxations.
I am disappointed in your answer TGSpokes,
I thought I had a genuine point about young voters ( say up to the age of 50)
Neither you nor anyone else appears to appreciate this group must make up to at least 50 per cent of the voters and for any group of independents, no matter how loose will require some of them with informed if not enthusiastic opinions.
We old buffers will get nowhere as usual without them, beastly as most of them appear to be.
Failure to take this problem on the nose will result in the usual lotsof yapping and no real progress
You do Roger. I have been cogitating on a “Young, Grown Up, Old Independence Party “. or maybe just ” Young and Grown Up Independents Party ” , But I still like ” Tonbridge Independents Party ”
But I still believe that an “Independants Protest Party ” has other advantages ,being an umbrella for everything you wish for. Local or International
A fabulous next step from LMIndependents,
WOW Here we go then. 1. Name is all important. Try Godfrey Bloom- kipper article in the Yorkshire Daily Rant. or…. Support or join Monster Raving Loonies Independent Protest Party ( A six letter word with only one vowel – Where’s that girl from clockdown or summat.when you need ‘er ). Have fun with Nigel ?
This is a fabulous article and raises huge new areas for me to attempt understanding of the expertise needed to become a possible guru( Can gurus spell ), to fit into my theory.
My theory is, that everyone in thecountry has a favourite moan or two ( Called “protest “) so why not a PROTEST party where each individual protest can have its own leader within an umbrella organisation to provide shelter from the lefty committee bureaucracies. We are all quietly mad in our own ways .. Good viscerialy though innit..
Like, Take the p*ss.