INDEPENDENTS GATHERING FORCE

THE INDEPENDENT movement is gathering pace across Rotherham, threatening to sweep out the “expenses and junket culture” in the town’s politics, according to independent councillor Peter Thirlwall.       

The latest cause for celebration for the independents was the election of non-party political David Brennan in last week’s Maltby Town Council by-election.

Now independents are on course for fielding a candidate in most of the wards for next May’s borough council elections.

Cllr Thirlwall said: "I'd like to welcome David as the latest elected representative in Rotherham who has chosen to represent local people rather than be a party drone. 

“This comes at a time when I'm happy to announce that most of Rotherham will next May be able to show support for local independents, many of whom have had no involvement in politics before but want to see real change in the expenses and junket culture in Rotherham politics."

Campaigner Michael Sylvester also welcomed the continuing progress of the independent movement in Rotherham. 

"The Maltby East by-election was significant in that the Conservatives, BNP and all over opposition political parties failed to find a candidate and shows they exist in name only across large parts of Rotherham.

“You must also remember that since the last round of borough council elections, over six and a half thousand ballots have been cast in various local by-elections in Rotherham with Labour taking 40 per cent of the votes, independents 27 per cent, Conservatives 12 per cent and all other parties less than 10 per cent each. 

“This again shows that when the opposition votes are added together Labour lack a majority in Rotherham and opposition voters will in future have a choice of voting tactically for the best placed candidate to beat Labour or stay loyal to their party and get yet more Labour councillors."

Cllr Thirlwall added: "We still have a few areas where no independent is standing and anybody else who would like to help see a core of non party political councillors in Rotherham please let me know on 01709 541111."