A new political party launched in Rushcliffe intends to become a “major force” in local politics.
Written by The Wire and Anna Whittaker
The Rushcliffe Independents party so far has 16 candidates to put forward for the local elections on May 4.
Rushcliffe Borough Council is led by the Conservative Party, which has 27 councillors out of 44 available seats in 24 wards.
Ted Birch, the leader of Rushcliffe Independents says that he has become “disillusioned” with the main parties.
Mr Birch is a former Liberal Democrat and Conservative member, from a Labour family. He owns a small business selling fitted furniture.
He currently sits on Bingham Town Council as an independent councillor.
He told The Wire:
‘I am personally a former Liberal Democrat and Conservative member, from a Labour family, who has become disillusioned with the major parties. Hence the need to form this party. I know many other people feel the same.’
‘I was elected as a Bingham Town Councillor in March 2022 and have worked bring the council out of the mire of scandal and turn it into a well-functioning and respectful organisation.
‘We have done well and have been acknowledged by Rushcliffe Borough Council.
‘My personal politics are pretty down the middle. I was a Marxist in my teenage years, but am probably marginally to the right of centre these days!
‘I’ve been on a bit of a political journey.
‘I own a small business and have a young family.
‘My daughter was a COVID baby and we’ve had a tough time due to COVID, as lots of young families have.
‘I believe that the Conservatives have governed incompetently and that voters are crying out for a viable alternative. I personally could not vote conservative any time soon.
‘We have candidates from all political stripes, but interestingly a good number of ex-Conservatives who think the party has lost the plot. I expect to gain a lot of votes from conservatives.
‘Our view is that one’s political ideology doesn’t really matter that much when it comes to local politics. What matters is a desire to get stuck in and help local people.
He said the long-term goal for the party is to stand 44 out of 44 councillors in Rushcliffe.
Since March 2022, Mr Birch has sat on Bingham Town Council which has faced issues with culture and bullying which led to an improvement board being set up.
Mr Birch added: “I saw what was happening with the town council in Bingham and I wanted to be proactive and achieve positive change.
“We’ve achieved good things in Bingham and now I want to do that on a wider scale.”
He said the principles of the Rushcliffe Independents party is to “offer voters a choice of competent local independent candidates to represent their local area”.
He said candidates will stand in wards with “little or no historical competition” to give voters more choice.
Candidates come from a range of political backgrounds and extremist views are not accepted.
He encouraged more candidates to step forward, saying “it doesn’t matter if you’re right or left”.
Introducing Rushcliffe Independents
Putting the needs of local people first
Rushcliffe Borough, 15 February- Rushcliffe Independents are delighted to announce the launch of our party.
We were founded to give voters a viable alternative to the major parties. We believe in putting the needs or local residents first, without the influence of party bosses.
All of our candidates are true independents, with no party whip or instructions from on high. Our councillors will act in the best interests of their constituents without any interference.
We come from a wide range of backgrounds, but have one thing in common; a burning desire to make Rushcliffe a better place.
Our principles
- To offer voters a choice of competent local independent candidates to represent their local area
- To stand candidates in wards with little or no historical competition, particularly the more rural wards, to give those voters a democratic choice.
- All candidates are fully independent with no party whip or outside interference
- Candidates come from a range of political backgrounds
- We do not accept any extremist views (ex-members of the BNP and Communist Party of Great Britain are not allowed to join)
- We will only stand candidates in wards where they live, work, or have a direct link to.
- We believe that councillors should conduct themselves with the highest levels of integrity.
Candidates wanted
There are 44 seats to be contested in the borough council election in May. We currently have 16 candidates and are looking for more! If you are a community-minded person, and want to give your time to helping improve your local area, please get in touch by emailing hello@rushcliffeindependents.com.
Why stand with Rushcliffe Independents?
- Join a network of like-minded people
- FREE campaign management and advice
- Expert FREE leaflet design service
- No whip- you are a true independent
- A network of volunteers to help hand out leaflets
- Help your local community
Join us.
