Independent Network
{{Short description|Organization}}
{{update|date=September 2011}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = Independent Network
| logo = Independent Network logo.png
| type = Non-profit association / political party
| founded_date = 2005
| location = London,
{{UK}}
| area_served = Politics
| product =
| focus = Independent political candidates
| method =
| revenue =
| endowment =
| num_volunteers =
| num_employees =
| num_members =
| subsid =
| owner =
| dissolved =
| website = {{URL|https://independentnetwork.org.uk/}}
| footnotes =
}}
The Independent Network (IN) is a United Kingdom-based non-profit organisation supporting independent politicians and political candidates. It is a registered as a political party with the Electoral Commission in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.{{cite web|author=|title=Independent Network GB register entry|url=https://search.electoralcommission.org.uk/English/Registrations/PP1951|access-date=21 February 2023|website=|publisher=The Electoral Commission}}{{cite web|author=|title=Independent Network NI register entry|url=https://search.electoralcommission.org.uk/English/Registrations/PP4072|access-date=21 February 2023|website=|publisher=The Electoral Commission}}
IN consists of supporters and volunteers who advocate non-partisan politics. Former MPs Martin Bell and Richard Taylor have been involved. A number of supporters of IN are current independent representatives in national, regional and local governments.
IN does not impose political views on the individuals it supports. However, individuals must adhere to a code of conduct.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}
Organisation
Marianne Overton, Jim Thornton and Karen Lucioni are the organisation's leadership, fulfilling the roles of leader, treasurer, nominations officer and campaigns officer.{{cite web|author=|title=Independent Network Our Leading Key People|url=https://independentnetwork.org.uk/our-people|access-date=21 February 2023}} Similarly, these individuals are the registered officers for the political party.{{cite web|author=|title=Independent Network GB register entry|url=https://search.electoralcommission.org.uk/English/Registrations/PP1951|access-date=21 February 2023|website=|publisher=The Electoral Commission}}{{cite web|author=|title=Independent Network NI register entry|url=https://search.electoralcommission.org.uk/English/Registrations/PP4072|access-date=21 February 2023|website=|publisher=The Electoral Commission}} The organisation has been registered as a company since 2009, with Thornton and Brian Ahearne serving as directors.{{cite web|author=|title=Independent Network Companies House registration|url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/07096039/officers|access-date=14 June 2023|website=|publisher=Companies House}}
Supporters
IN has been supported by several notable figures in independent politics,{{cite news |first=Michael |last=White |author-link=Michael White (journalist) |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/mar/24/uk.houseofcommons |title=Bell Backs Indie MPs |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=24 March 2005 |accessdate=26 August 2010 |archive-date=18 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140918022027/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/mar/24/uk.houseofcommons |url-status=live }} including Martin Bell; Richard Taylor MP;http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/elections/article383210.ece {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604162815/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/elections/article383210.ece |date=4 June 2011 }} Martin Bell and Dr Richard Taylor give their backing to the Independent Network Terry Waite and Esther Rantzen.
During the 2005 elections, with IN's backing, Reg Keys{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/apr/22/election2005.uk4 |title=Soldiers' bereaved parents back Keys campaign |first=Matthew |last=Tempest |date=22 April 2005 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306183646/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/apr/22/election2005.uk4 |archive-date=6 March 2016}} Article about Reg Key's campaign contested Sedgefield, the constituency of Tony Blair, following the death of his son in the Iraq War.
In January 2010, Waite sent an open letter to all independent Parliamentary candidates giving them his support and approval.{{cite web |url=http://www.opendemocracy.net/ourkingdom/guy-aitchison/new-year-letter-to-independent-candidates-from-terry-waite |title=Terry Waite Letter to the Independent Network |publisher=Opendemocracy.net |date=6 January 2010 |accessdate=26 August 2010 |archive-date=16 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616114650/http://www.opendemocracy.net/ourkingdom/guy-aitchison/new-year-letter-to-independent-candidates-from-terry-waite |url-status=live }}
Services
Image:Independent Network Workshop PPCs.JPG
IN offers services and support to independent candidates.{{cite web|author=|title=Independent Network Membership and Support|url=https://independentnetwork.org.uk/membership-and-support|access-date=21 February 2023}} Services include:
- Administrative and legal assistance for election purposes
- A list of best practices for campaigning, fundraising, public relations, and appropriate use of the Internet.
- Public opinion and policy research.
- Organising debates and discussions.
In January 2010, IN held a workshop in the Birmingham Priory Rooms to instruct PPCs on the electoral process and regulations. Bell, Taylor, Rantzen, and Lynn Faulds Wood attended the event.[https://web.archive.org/web/20111115095749/http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/christopherhope/100023596/vote-independent-esther-rantzen-lynn-faulds-wood-martin-bell-rally-the-troops/ The Daily Telegraph] A comment on the workshop {{cite web |url=http://independent-mps.co.uk/2010/01/24/independent-network%E2%80%99s-workshop/ |title=About the Birmingham Workshop |publisher=Independent-mps.co.uk |accessdate=26 August 2010 }}{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} {{cite web |url=http://stevenford.wordpress.com/2010/01/25/independent-network-workshop-broken-society-and-the-election-date/ |title=Independent Network Workshop, Broken Society and The Election Date |publisher=Stevenford.wordpress.com |date=25 January 2010 |accessdate=26 August 2010 |archive-date=18 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718110617/http://stevenford.wordpress.com/2010/01/25/independent-network-workshop-broken-society-and-the-election-date/ |url-status=live }}
IN endorsed independent candidates in the 2010 election. Endorsed candidates could use the IN logo and branding.[http://www.independentnetwork.org.uk/endorsement_pack IN Endorsement Pack]{{dead link|date=August 2010}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.independentnetwork.org.uk The Independent Network Homepage]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20090918101038/http://independent-mps.co.uk/ Independent MPs blog]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20170715052242/http://www.homepage-link.to/election/ Guide to Becoming an Independent Candidate]
Category:Political organisations based in the United Kingdom