Subscribe to RSSTough campaign ahead for independent candidates
The run-up to this year’s general election has been notable for the number of independent candidates announcing their intention to run. In the wake of the MPs’ expenses scandal, many believe they have a good chance of being elected this year, but that doesn’t mean they have an easy ride ahead. As the election campaign gathers pace, WNOL investigates the challenges faced by an independent candidate.
Joe Hall, an independent candidate in Luton South has said standing for election has been a big challenge. Photograph: Joe Hall
The number of independents standing for election has risen throughout the last decade. However, they still face difficulties in winning seats.
In 2005, 166 independent candidates contested the general election. It was the highest number of independents since the 1880s, but only two were successful.
Independent Network is a non-profit organisation that provides support for independent candidates. Its director, Brian Ahearne, told WNOL that independent candidates face more difficulties than those affiliated with large political parties.
He said: “On the mechanics of campaigning, we have to be honest and say that there are very many barriers to independents in comparison to the potential marketing power of political parties.”
Lack of funding
Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats provide their candidates with funding, training and a network of volunteers, whereas independent candidates must do everything themselves.
Joe Hall is a 30-year-old former charity worker, who is standing for election as an independent in Luton South. He is using his own savings to pay for his campaign.
He told WNOL: “It is a big challenge. I quit my job in September and have spent thousands of pounds of my own money. I did not earn very much, but I had been working for five years and was saving to buy a flat.”
But Hall is resourceful and hopes to spend less than £10,000 on his campaign.
“I am the most active candidate on Facebook in my constituency,” he said, and added: “I think that politicians rely too much on big billboard campaigns.”
Despite the difficulties of mounting a campaign as an independent, many candidates believe that the MPs’ expenses scandal has provided them with one of the best opportunities in years.
Once in a lifetime opportunity
Jim Thornton, an independent candidate in Poplar and Limehouse, told WNOL: “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. MPs have been discredited by the expenses scandal, the mainstream parties are in decline at local level and there is a very good chance of a hung parliament.”
And Thornton thinks the positive response he has been getting from constituents, is down to the fact he is an independent candidate.
“People are intrigued. Once they realise that you are not from one of the three big parties, they are more positive,” he said.
“I have a sense that there is a lot of interest out there in a new voice.”
More attractive to voters
Many independent candidates criticise the party system and the dominance of party whips, in particular. Independents believe they are attractive to the electorate because they will vote in the interests of their constituents, rather than a political party.
Hall believes: “I can offer constituents my conscience on any issue. I will consider every issue solely on what is right for the people I represent. At the moment most MPs vote the way their whips want them to vote, not their constituents.”
Jim Thornton agrees and thinks that freedom from a party whip will lead to better legislation being passed because independent MPs will have to scrutinise bills themselves.
“Independents don’t have a whip to tell them how they should vote; they have to consider each piece of legislation carefully themselves,” he said.
“If we get a lot of independent MPs, I think the result will be less and better legislation.”
We will have to wait until after the election to see how many independents are able to seize the opportunities in front of them. But in the future, Hall thinks a number of things should be done to enable independent candidates to compete on a more equal footing with those from mainstream parties.
“I think we should limit the donations that political parties are allowed to receive. A state-funded system would be better,” the Luton South candidate said.
“Rather than just having to pay £500 to register as a candidate, it would be better if, for example, the state gave you £5,000 if you got the signatures of 1000 people who support you.”
By Nicholas Hamilton
