Letter: When Will We See the Independent Group’s Manifesto?

Published on: 17 Nov, 2018
Updated on: 17 Nov, 2018

The Independent group at GBC: Cllrs Cross, Rooth & McShee

From Paul Spooner

leader of Guildford Borough Council and Conservative ward councillor for Ash South & Tongham

In response to: Former Lib Dem Councillor Joins Independent Group at GBC

I hate to disappoint the Independent lobbyists, but the so-called Independent Group has now formed a party called the Independent Alliance, led by a party leader Cllr Tony Rooth.

Its manifesto is awaited with interest given the polar opposites I experienced from Cllr Rooth and Cllr Cross over recent years. I cannot think of a single major issue they agreed on, but I guess there must be something.

Perhaps Cllr Rooth can advise when his Independent Alliance manifesto will be issued?

Responses to Letter: When Will We See the Independent Group’s Manifesto?

Martin Elliott Reply

November 17, 2018 at 12:58 pm

I’m afraid the obvious slant of Cllr Spooner’s question shows just how naive he is about representation and local, and possibly national, politics.

Independents can have entirely different views or manifestos. Unlike other parties they need no virtual party whip, they can also vote independently.

That anyway, is my view. It is up to the gentlemen Cllr Spooner vilifies to respond or treat such a query with the contempt it deserves.
Helena Townsend Reply

November 17, 2018 at 1:58 pm

I think we have already got an idea of what this trio will be looking to do, mainly frustrating decision making and criticising the current Executive on any planning or initiative (without offering any solutions).

If you want Guildford to remain as it is, lag behind other commercial centres and want housing to be solely dumped in the town centre whilst those in the green belt see no development then these are the people to vote for.
Bernard Parke Reply

November 17, 2018 at 2:24 pm

Very interesting, but if this indeed correct perhaps they could use the slogan: “Green Belt To Stay”

It seemed to work very well by a group at the last election.
John Perkins Reply

November 17, 2018 at 3:24 pm

How very corporatist to demand a manifesto.

The “so-called Independent group” is a legal body, the members of which have no need to agree on anything. Nor do they have to have a “party leader”, not being a party. Surely Cllr Spooner is aware that an Independent party would have to be registered with the Electoral Commission, which prohibits the use of the word.

It’s all very well to sneer at a group who don’t agree amongst themselves, but isn’t that the point of representatives? Isn’t that why we have debating chambers?

Contrast them with the Conservative group at GBC where it seems the party flock to kiss the ring of their father and express no opinions of their own or of those they supposedly represent.
Valerie Thompson Reply

November 17, 2018 at 3:42 pm

Give them a chance! Each of the named Independents has decided to break away from their parties in the very recent past. They will need some time to formulate their group’s raison d’etre. We all await with interest their proposed challenges to the existing regime.
Paul Spooner Reply

November 18, 2018 at 10:06 am

There is no party whip in the Conservative group at GBC and I believe that is the case with the main opposition too, however, there is general consensus after discussion amongst the group and/or the Executive depending on the significance of a topic.

Former Conservatives left primarily due to deselection by the Association shortly prior to elections to give themselves an opportunity to stand themselves. It is therefore interesting, at least to me, that they have formed a group and elected a Leader and hence they must have some form of manifesto or agreement to work together.

Cllr Rooth spent years shouting build anywhere and everywhere to colleagues whilst many of us tried to balance his view, whilst Cllr McShee has been consistent in his views akin to GGG policy. I assume, given Cllr Rooth leads the alliance as their planning lead, that one or other has changed their position given only one of the alliance has a seat at the committee table representing the alliance.

Mr Rooth preaches transparency, I don’t actually see much transparency from the alliance to date, just disruption at every turn. I am not sure that disrupting the council at every turn is helpful to the community. Helena Townsend’s comment resonates with councillors of all major parties at GBC.

Paul Spooner is the council leader of Guildford Borough Council
- Paul Robinson Reply
  
  November 18, 2018 at 8:24 pm
  
  Sounds to me like someone is starting to feel threatened by the increasing Independent threat.
- John Perkins Reply
  
  November 22, 2018 at 10:38 am
  
  To repeat the point: each member can and will have their own manifesto.
  
  They can be at daggers drawn and still be a group, the only thing they have to agree on is which of them gets the allocated committee seats.
Ben Paton Reply

November 19, 2018 at 8:18 am

It looks like Paul Spooner and Helena Townsend have already formed a new party. I guess their manifesto is something like “four legs good, two legs bad”.
Jules Cranwell Reply

November 19, 2018 at 8:58 am

Guildford Tories need no party whip, as they have no voice. All decisions are taken, in camera, by the domineering leadership.

It’s a bit rich demand a manifesto from the Independents when, at the last election, the Conservative’s had the manifesto pledge ‘greenbelt to stay’, and then set about destroying it.

Given this attitude, Guildford Conservatives really do deserve the accolade of “the nasty party”.