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hedleymccarthy · Joined: 27 Aug 2008 Posts: 363

[quote="Bryn Trefil"][quote]A NANTYGLO councillor resigned from the partnership group which runs the council after what she described as a serious conflict of interests.

Independent Shirley Ford has stepped down from the group and said the move came as she wanted to do what was best for people in her ward.

Cllr Ford added: “I have strong views on what I think is best for Nantyglo.

“I was elected by the people of Nantyglo to look after the people of Nantyglo and that’s what I’m doing.”

“I’m looking forward to being an independent Independent, because that way I make my own decisions and I know what I’m doing is for the people of Nantyglo,” she said.

Fellow Nantyglo councillor and deputy leader of the council, John Mason, said: “She has a different view on different things from time to time, I think that may have weighed heavy on her mind and she decided to leave us,” he said.

A partnership group of People’s Voice and independent candidates took control of the council in May 2008 after taking 21 seats compared to Labour’s 17. end quote.

Shirl infers that by becoming an independent independent that the group she previously belonged to was just that a political group that dare not speak its name, kept in line with a whip by any other name.
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Rocke · Joined: 08 May 2008 Posts: 795 Location: Abertillery

Another one bites the dust. There are so many wolves in sheeps clothing now it is difficult to know who is really independent independent and who is Nu Labour

Interesting point there Bryn T.

I think the issues ( I'm including Labour's resignations as well ) do have a common thread. 'Independent' in these cases means 'independent of political control', not necessarily out on one's own.

I've mentioned a few times that a councillor's primary responsibility is to be the representative of their constituents and to act in those people's best interests. That's even if their views aren't your own.

Let's consider the case of the council wishing to close Aber Comp.
First I'd have to find out what is in the best interests of my constituents.
Then I'd have to ensure that they are made aware of what the best interests are, by providing all the background information and options available.
At that point people would then be able to either make informed judgements or take decisions based on fact.
As their representative I would then take their views and wishes forward.

If I were a sheep - sorry, member of a political party - I'd have no option ( apart from getting myself suspended and/or expelled ) but to toe the party line. As an independent I'd be unimpeded and could speak as the people want.

However, an Independent will never have power and/or influence on their own, simply because they will almost never, except in extreme circumstances, be anywhere near a majority.
In BG for example I'm 1 of 42 ie. a minority of 1.

However, there will almost always be common ground, and where that's large enough for a number to stand together then you've the makings of an alliance. You must remember though that there are no fences and people are able to wander off and return as they please, unlike sheep that are penned in.

Independence is the only way to truly give the electorate a voice. The days when a party tag was simply a means of getting over to the electorate what you stood for are long gone. In general if you elect someone under a party tag they'll serve only one master - and that's not the electorate.

Independence does have some side-effects though. Sometimes - as seems to have happened in Cllr. Ford's case - the overriding responsibility to represent one's people can place you full square with your partners en bloc. ( Note - that's en bloc, not as individuals ).
Hence you have to do what is necessary in order to carry out your duty to your constituents.

One factual thing I would point out regarding Shirley's opting out of the Partnership - no huge headlines, no slagging off, no nasty spiteful comments from the leadership.

And I suspect no immediate - nor future - new alliances with the Opposition.

In my view Cllr. Shirley Ford does what she says on the label - Independent.
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Rocke

Tchambuli9 · Joined: 03 Apr 2008 Posts: 208

Love to be a fly on the wall at their group meeting on Monday Wink

Rocke · Joined: 08 May 2008 Posts: 795 Location: Abertillery

hedleymccarthy · Joined: 27 Aug 2008 Posts: 363

What happened?
Is there going to be a Bad Boy's Home in Nantyglo?
How many jobs will this create?

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This is my truth. Now tell me yours.