Tuesday 17 July 2007

Political Corner, How independent are your Independents?

The theme of the following post has been suggested by Jamie Devlin

Does it matter to the average man or woman on the street actually how independent their Independent councillor representatives are?

If their voting record matches that of one political party are those who vote for representatives who proport to being Independent, therefore being short changed?

Is it appropriate for Independents to take seats in a Cabinet which is led by a political party?

Please note all comments on this subject will be published, unless they contain personally inappropriate remarks.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have to say I am disappointed that the group of Independents on Maidstone Borough Council decided to join the Liberal coalition in May this year. What is the point of professing your independence of party and then binding yourself to vote one particular way because you have a seat in Cabinet. It smacks to me of individual ambition and ego getting in the way of doing the right thing for your constituents. Independents should 'rise above' party politics, take each issue on its merits and make a judgement based only on the interests of their constituents. Otherwise, join the Lib Dems and stop hoodwinking the people who voted for you!”

Anonymous said...

Is this the same jamie Devlin that stood as a Conservative candidate in the recent elections?
Just for information I do not remember the Conservatives being so concerned during the 1990's when they were kept in power by the two 'independent' councillors from Marden one of whom was actually chairamn of the local conservative branch but stood as an independent