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, recently the Liberal Democrats have been more active. The party increased in strength following the 2003 local elections, gaining nine seats from the Labour Party in west and south Derwentside.

So far, the Derwentside Independent party has not fought any campaign for change in the local area, unlike other local political parties. In March 2008, after feeling the Derwentside Independents couldn't offer a county wide alternative to Labour, Cllr Bob Cook resigned from their ranks and joined the Liberal Democrats.

[edit] References

• Entry of Electoral Commission's Register of Political Parties.