Support for independent candidates in the UK has been growing in the past several decades. In 1987, independent candidates received fewer than 10,000 votes. In the 2005 general election, by contrast, 141,903 votes were cast for 160 independent candidates, the largest number of independent candidates since the 1880s. A group of likeminded individuals who had lost faith in party politics founded the IN in 2005. Their goal was to support independent candidates, something they felt no then existing organisation did. They saw a need to promote independents and political awareness as the British public had become disenchanted with Parliament in the aftermath of political scandals including the Iraq War, the suicide of David Kelly and the Hutton Enquiry. Later scandals such as Cash for Honours, Smeargate and the MPs expenses scandal have strengthened the IN's resolve.
Organisation
Members of the secretariat deal with the administrative, day-to-day running of the organisation. They are also responsible for media and campaign enquiries. A three-member executive committee guides the organisation but avoids interference with candidates' policies, manifestos, or voting. Members of the Executive consist of Cllr Marianne Overton OBE, Jim Thornton, and Cllr Darren Hayday.
Supporters
The IN is supported by several notable figures in independent politics, including Martin Bell; Richard Taylor MP; Terry Waite and Esther Rantzen. During the 2005 elections, with the IN's backing, Reg Keys stood against Tony Blair in Blair's own Sedgefield Constituency because of 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. The letter also discusses several problems Waite sees with the Westminster system and British politics in general.
Services
The IN offers services and support to independent candidates free of charge. Services provided include the following.
Administrative and legal assistance for election purposes; independent candidates set up on their own or alternatively register and maintain new political parties.
A list ofbest practices for campaigning, fundraising, public relations, and appropriate use of the Internet.
Public opinion and policy research.
Organising debates and discussions.
The IN also encourages members to contact one another for advice and guidance, to promote cohesive rather than adversarial politics. In January 2010, the IN organised a training session on procedure in the UK Parliament for independent PPCs. The event was run by Parliamentary Outreach, a government agency that works to expand the public's knowledge of Parliament. That same month the 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. In the 2010 election, the IN endorsed independent candidates to provide a quality marker for independent politicians. Endorsed candidates could use the IN logo and branding.
