Being an Independent Councillor

Why stand as an Independent Councillor? I became a councillor because I wanted to make a real difference locally. I have never considered myself as a political person. I felt all parties have something to offer: some good policies and some bad. The question is why do these councillors not come together and work for the best interest of those they represent? Just look at all the ideological-driven, failed policies over the years, and the amount of money they have wasted.

Instead of listening to voices of local communities about their needs, they make decisions often contrary to residents’ wishes. They make resolutions that turn out to be foolish, sanction ‘white elephant’ projects, and destroy the very fabric of our community. Then on top of that, they play tribal party politics, always blaming someone else, rather than saying ‘we got it wrong.’ Then there seems scandal after scandal… and rewards for ‘loyalty’ as the gravy train rolls on. A system that costs the taxpayer huge amounts of money – for a job which in itself should be a great honour, that of serving your community.

Some in my ward will remember the councillor, from one of the main parties, who won the seat but never once took office. Even after a full year, not one council meeting attended! (It is a quirk of the system that by attending just one meeting in a year, you are excused deselection.) An extreme case maybe, but surely this cannot be right? It is an arrogance that comes with the notion that the voters are there for them – a demonstrable contempt of the electorate and the democratic process. Is it no wonder why the public feels so disenchanted by politics – and their local councils – with turnouts on the decline and apathy rising?

A friend of mine said to me, “If you feel so passionately about it why don’t you do something?” So I did. I took the brave decision, and I forced a by-election and stood as an Independent Councillor. Despite all the negativity from other political parties saying that I would come last, nevertheless I felt it was only right that you the electorate should decide. I have always felt that councillors are elected to serve their community and not the other way round.

I wanted to give people hope, a belief and a say in how they want their community to be run – you don’t need to be a party member to do it, just a committed member of your community. The system is such that few Independents get elected, but that will change as people seek something different. Astonishingly, only 1% of the population is a member of any political party, such is the decline in trust and engagement. And of that 1%, how many actually make policy? Little wonder the perception is that they are all ‘out of touch.’  Come election time – red, blue, yellow – it doesn’t seem to matter who gets in. However, change can happen and will gain momentum.

When I got elected I was both thrilled and delighted that my efforts had been rewarded, grateful for the chance to represent my ward. Yes, being a councillor is hard work and can affect family life but I feel it is so rewarding to help the community where I live and that I know and understand. You’d be surprised just how many politicians don’t live amongst their electorate. Many are drafted in by their party agents – parachuted in – just to gain a seat and have no concept of what our neighbourhood is really like.

Fortunately, I have been in a position to make a real difference to the quality of other people’s daily lives and prospects; achieved as an Independent Councillor because I have the flexibility to work with other councillors without hindrance of party political constraints which have prevented progress in the past. Being Independent I believe no party has a dominance of good ideas and that local government depends on individuals of goodwill, individuals who listen to advice, argue and debate and are capable of arriving at sensible decisions on their merits for the good of the community and are not driven by higher party allegiance.

Being elected by my constituents has in a huge way given back the ability for you to engage on issues that are more open and transparent. I can reassure you that I have and will always strive to represent your views and what you feel important. Being an Independent, I can speak out freely unfettered by party politics, and give a different perspective on issues based on common sense. I can put your needs first and foremost without pressure to think or vote along party lines. Importantly, it gives an opportunity to those of you who want to vote but are discontented by the three main parties, being able to vote for an ‘Independent’ rather than thinking ‘None-of-the-Above’ and not bothering at all! In a ‘First Past the Post’ system not voting achieves little. ‘Politics is won by those that turn up’ – voting for something different is really is the only way to shake things up.

I do hope that my success in being the only Independent Councillor in Bolton Borough paves the way for other like-minded individuals to stand as an Independent for their respective wards and serve the community they know best. Westhoughton residents took this lead by voting for their Independent Councillor in 2012; and on 22 May 2014, I will again be seeking that continuing support from my constituents by asking them for their vote in the Bolton Council Elections.

Thank you for taking time in reading this blog. My aim is to inform and to provide a helpful view of local politics and the democratic process.

Cllr Jack Speight

My First Election Win

My first introduction to standing for election was as a student studying for my degree in Complementary Medicine at the University of Salford. Being a student representative at Wigan and Leigh College and later at University of Salford, it seemed a natural step for me to stand, and I was happy to be elected as a Delegate for Nation Union of Students representing the University of Salford at National Congress Level. The most dominant issue of the day was Tuition Fees!

Leaving university, I was asked by people who must have seen something in me to stand in my local Parish Council elections for the Chequerbent Ward (Westhoughton) where I have lived some 25 years. Not being political, nor linked to any party, my sole conviction was motivated by what was in the best interest of the residents and my community – as an Independent. Having experienced my first local elections (I came third, though enough people did vote for an Independent to give me some encouragement), I felt more confident, having learned, that the candidate who did get elected never once took his seat in office – an insult and betrayal to all those who had voted. This demonstrated once again that the main political parties only seem interested in their own politics and being in power, rather than actual local issues and concerns.

Having expressing my concerns, I felt no option but to call a by-election. I was ridiculed by all parties that standing as an Independent I would only come last. Nevertheless I felt immense encouragement having spoken to the late Councillor Brian Claire, who was himself an Independent, and was four times appointed Westhoughton Town Council Mayor; he told me to embrace the mantel of “The Westhoughton Spirit of Independence and Identity,” and represent our town and vote on issues that benefit the good people of Westhoughton.

With this endorsement, spurred on to carry our unique independent identity and represent our town, I decided to take on, what I realised would indeed be an enormous challenge… I knew I could never compete with the financial backing of the main parties, nor their party machine and number of canvassers. Nonetheless, my wife and I endeavoured to reach out to as many of you as possible to put your interests and concerns paramount in addressing issues in our community. Using my spare time and my holidays from work I took every opportunity to speak to as many of you I could reach. I can only say a huge thank you for sharing your time with me during our conversations.

Voting having closed the evening of the by-election (26th July, 2012), with our Member of Parliament, Julie Hilling, looking on, I watched the votes being counted at St. Thomas School, Chequerbent, Westhoughton. When the votes were finally counted and checked, it was announced that you had elected once again an Independent Councillor to Westhoughton Town Council – I had achieved a phenomenal 42.2% of the vote. I must admit I felt great emotion, from a sense of relief and to that of immense satisfaction in connecting with people. I always knew from your responses and encouragement when speaking to you on the doorstep, that we are a proud town, and that concerns and issues that affect our community needed to be addressed, putting Westhoughton first. This undertaking I have embraced and at all times put the interests of our ward and the Westhoughton to the fore – an independent voice working hard for you.

Being the only Independent Councillor in the Bolton Borough can be tough; at times lonely furrow… some frustrations, some battles won… and you get to know who your friends are and what self-aggrandising cliques exist...  Nevertheless, I would encourage others, dissatisfied with the current party offerings, to consider both supporting, and even rising to the challenge of being an Independent Councillor. It is quite a journey – though not one for the fainthearted!

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Taking the lead from previous Independent Councillors, I am standing for election to Bolton Council in the Westhoughton North and Chew Moor ward on the 22 May 2014. With your support, if elected, I would become the first Independent Councillor on Bolton Council, which would be another great achievement for our town. More so, it would send a clear message that you want something different. And that issues of under-investment and respect rather than condescending parochialism from Bolton need to be addressed. These are the first steps of real change and real independence.

Electing an Independent Councillor who is answerable to you and not the political party machine… it does happen, and with your help and support it can happen again on May 22nd.

Cllr. Jack Speight

Welcome To My Blog

A new thing for me, taking advantage of the wonders of modern technology to inform, voice my opinions on matters that effect us here in Westhoughton, and give people an idea of who Jack Speight is and why I want to represent you.

This blog is inspired by my belief that you should be confident that you are being listened to, and that  issues that you consider important are being addressed. As a Councillor and local resident, I feel that this proud town of great character and heritage of once thriving cotton mills, coal pits, railway stations, a high street and market where you could get everything you needed, is being neglected. It seems forever missing out through the lack of investment, while more and more housing development takes place putting a further strain on local resources and services; roads are gridlocked whenever an incident happens as it tries to cope with the sheer volume of rush-hour traffic. Since I have lived in Westhoughton, I have seen the loss of our Police Station, Job Centre, Council yard and Town Hall services; our clinic and the more recent announcement of the loss of respite beds from the Winifred Kettle Home only adding further cuts to our community. Are we as an area taking the brunt of cuts in spending in Bolton? Does Westhoughton – a town of 25,000 – get its fair share of the expenditure?

Thanks to the internet, I want to take advantage and communicate on matters that concern our community. As an independent councillor, I do not have the finances nor the political machine of larger, established parties, but what I do have is the drive and conviction to address the same issues that affect you here in Westhoughton. You have every right to expect that an elected councillor - independent or not - to serve you and tackle the problems that impinge on our neighbourhood.

Just take the simplest of things, like filling in potholes on our streets or the cutting the grass verge on the roadside. If our Councils cannot get this right, then no wonder millions of pounds are lost through poor management, party politics and infighting, which seem to do more harm than good.

Enough is enough! We should stop this erosion of our neighbourhood and put pride back into our achievements and our Westhoughton identity.

Fortunately being independent, I am only answerable to you the electorate and with a common sense of purpose I want the very best for our community. I know we have a really good town and with your help, we can make Westhoughton an even better place to be an live.

I know things take time but I also know we have a strong community spirit and I want to share some of my experiences and yours through this blog. I invite and encourage you to comment, exchange views and share experiences, raise questions and seek answers. Though please be polite and respectful. Everyone has a right to be wrong.

Thank you for taking time in reading this blog. I hope it has been helpful to you.

Cllr Jack Speight