Two seats are up for grabs in by-election

Sometimes revolutions happen quietly, behind the scenes, out of the headlines. One such has been under way in England for several years – but our local political leaders probably don’t want us to know about it.

It’s the rise in independent councillors.

According to the BBC (www.bbc. co.uk/news/uk-politics-58244507), the number of independents serving on local councils in England and Wales increased from 1,572 in 2017 to 2,294 three years later, a startling rise of 46%. By mid-2021 thirty-two councils were actually led by an independent.

You don’t have to look far for the cause. Nationally, trust and respect for party politicians has been plummeting for some time. Lies, deception, hypocrisy, in-fighting – if it wasn’t so embarrassing, it’d be funny.

Here in Charnwood, with the dominance of Tory councillors (an unrepresentative 73% of them) and with their undemocratic cabinet system suggesting they think they’re in Westminster, party politics is an unwelcome interference into the provision of local services. What on earth has party allegiance got to do with collecting the bins or dealing with developers?

Enough is enough. Residents of Shelthorpe and Grange Park are in a position to start 2022 by firing a warning shot across the bows of these people. On Thursday 20th January a vote will take place to elect to Charnwood Borough Council not just one, but two representatives for Loughborough Shelthorpe Ward. Standing as an independent is David Hayes, recently an effective Conservative councillor for the ward, but now standing against his erstwhile colleagues.

Send a message to these party politicians. Give Dave a chance. Vote Independent on 20th January. The turn-out will be low – every vote will count more than ever.

Join the revolution!

Richard Guise, Quorn