Derwentside Independents
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Derwentside Independents are a political party in the United Kingdom registered in 2001. It has 15 councillors on Derwentside District Council, making it the largest group on the council after the Labour Party.
Its leader Councillor Watts Stelling, contested the 2005 general election in the constituency of North West Durham, obtaining 3,865 votes (9.8%), more than the reduction in the Labour majority. The party also contests elections to Durham County Council.
Other officers are Ronald Weightman, nominating officer, and John Jopling, treasurer. According to its 2004 accounts the party had 15 elected members and 17 general members. [1] 2005 accounts showed an increase of three general members. [2]
Founded by former Councillor Bill Stockdale, the party has benefitted from the lack of organised opposition to Labour from the national political parties in Derwentside, which remains the case. The party increased in strength following the 2003 local elections, gaining nine seats from the Labour Party in west and south Derwentside.
