Derwentside Independents
Encyclopedia
Derwentside Independents are a political party
in the United Kingdom
registered in 2001. They contest elections in County Durham
.
The party has 10 councillors on the unitary Durham County Council. The party is one of two groups of independents on the county council, and forms part of the opposition to the ruling Labour Party
. Prior to 1 April 2009 they formed the second largest party on the now-abolished 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. He came fourth out of four candidates, behind Labour, the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives
, obtaining 3,865 votes or 9.8% of the poll.
Other officers are Ronald Weightman, nominating officer, and John Jopling, treasurer. According to its 2007 accounts the party had 23 elected members and 22 general members.
Founded by former Councillor Bill Stockdale, the party has benefited from the lack of organised opposition to Labour from the national political parties in Derwentside, though recently the Liberal Democrats have been more active. The party increased in strength following the 2003 local elections, gaining eight seats from the Labour Party in west and south Derwentside. At the final election to Derwentside district council in 2007, the party gained a further 10 seats, bringing its total to 24 and reducing Labour's majority to three.
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. He lost his seat at the subsequent local elections. A rival Durham County Council Independent Group led by John Shuttleworth formed in 2008.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
registered in 2001. They contest elections in County Durham
County Durham
County Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
.
The party has 10 councillors on the unitary Durham County Council. The party is one of two groups of independents on the county council, and forms part of the opposition to the ruling Labour Party
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
. Prior to 1 April 2009 they formed the second largest party on the now-abolished Derwentside
Derwentside
Derwentside was, from 1974 to 2009, a local government district in County Durham, England.The district took its name from the River Derwent, which made up part of the northern border of the district. Its main towns were Consett and Stanley, with the district council offices on Consett's Medomsley...
District Council, making it the largest group on the council after the Labour Party.
Its leader, councillor Watts Stelling, contested the 2005 general election
United Kingdom general election, 2005
The United Kingdom general election of 2005 was held on Thursday, 5 May 2005 to elect 646 members to the British House of Commons. The Labour Party under Tony Blair won its third consecutive victory, but with a majority of 66, reduced from 160....
in the constituency of North West Durham. He came fourth out of four candidates, behind Labour, the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
, obtaining 3,865 votes or 9.8% of the poll.
Other officers are Ronald Weightman, nominating officer, and John Jopling, treasurer. According to its 2007 accounts the party had 23 elected members and 22 general members.
Founded by former Councillor Bill Stockdale, the party has benefited from the lack of organised opposition to Labour from the national political parties in Derwentside, though recently the Liberal Democrats have been more active. The party increased in strength following the 2003 local elections, gaining eight seats from the Labour Party in west and south Derwentside. At the final election to Derwentside district council in 2007, the party gained a further 10 seats, bringing its total to 24 and reducing Labour's majority to three.
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. He lost his seat at the subsequent local elections. A rival Durham County Council Independent Group led by John Shuttleworth formed in 2008.