Ashford Independents
{{Use British English|date=July 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox political party
| name = Ashford Independents
| logo = Ashford Independents logo.png
| colorcode = {{Party colour|Ashford Independents}}
| leader = Noel Ovenden
| foundation = {{Start date and age|2003|03|06|df=y}}
| ideology = Localism
| headquarters = Ashford, Kent
| website = {{URL|https://www.ashfordindependent.co.uk/}}
| country = the United Kingdom
| colours = {{Colour box|{{Party colour|Ashford Independents}}}} Yellow-green
| seats1 = {{Composition bar|10|47|{{Party colour|Ashford Independents}}}}
| seats1_title = Ashford Borough Council
}}
The Ashford Independents are a local political party based in Ashford, Kent. The group was founded in 2003.{{Cite web |title=Registration |url=https://search.electoralcommission.org.uk/English/Registrations/PP291 |access-date=19 July 2024 |website=The Electoral Commission}}
Currently, the Ashford Independents form the minority administration of Ashford Borough council with the Green Party.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-31 |title=Drama as Tories break whip and Independents and Greens take power |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/ashford/news/drama-as-tories-break-whip-and-independents-and-green-take-p-287670/ |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=Kent Online |language=en}}
History
In the 2023 Ashford Borough council election, the party won nine seats: two less than at the previous election.{{Cite web |title=Ashford Borough Council election results on May 5, 2023 |url=https://www.ashford.gov.uk/news/latest-news/ashford-borough-council-election-results-2023/ |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=www.ashford.gov.uk}}{{Cite news |title=Ashford result - Local Elections 2023 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election/2023/england/councils/E07000105 |access-date=2024-07-19 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}} Their leader, Noel Ovenden, was elected leader of the council, with the support of the Greens. This marked the first time the council hadn't been Conservative led in over 20 years.{{Cite web |title=Ashford Borough Council reveals new Cabinet members |url=https://www.ashford.gov.uk/news/latest-news/ashford-borough-council-cabinet-announced/ |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=www.ashford.gov.uk}}
In May 2024, an independent councillor joined the Ashford Independents, which brought their total to 10 councillors.{{Cite web |title=Councils Map {{!}} LocalCouncils.co.uk |url=https://www.localcouncils.co.uk/councils/?council=ashford |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=www.localcouncils.co.uk}}{{Cite web |date=2024-07-19 |title=Your Councillors |url=https://ashford.moderngov.co.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx?FN=PARTY&VW=LIST&PIC=0 |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=ashford.moderngov.co.uk |language=en}}
Manifesto
The party has a manifesto, which sets out its policies for the local area:{{Cite web |title=Manifesto-New |url=https://www.ashfordindependent.co.uk/manifesto-2/ |access-date=2024-07-19 |language=en-GB}}
- Low local rates
- The establishment of a further education college to improve local skills
- Improved building standards for new housing
- Opposition to large developments on greenfield land
- Providing social housing for those who need it
- Improved public transport services