In my latest blog I explain why we’re here for everyone in Heald Green, what being a non-political party really means, and how this contrasts with the way the political parties operate.
After I moved to Heald Green in 2004 I vividly remember the luminous green signs arriving in gardens around and about the following April. Who were these quirky people I wondered? The Independent Heald Green and Long Lane Ratepayer Councillors were like nothing I’d ever seen before in an election. What is their political affiliation my husband and I speculated? It piqued my curiosity. When I discovered they were independent councillors I voted for them; I’ve done so ever since.
Some years later, in 2012, following a family tragedy I unexpectedly found myself with time on my hands. I went along to a Ratepayers’ open evening and joined the committee. I’ve been involved now for 14 years. In case you are pondering the same question I had back in 2014 about political affiliation I can now answer the question from first hand experience. I can categorically say that the Ratepayers are NOT IN THE SLIGHTEST BIT POLITICAL. We have NEVER been affiliated to any political party – this is central to our long history. We are what local politics should be everywhere – focussed entirely on local issues it’s the reason why our councillors have to live in this ward.
What does being a non-political party mean in practice? It means the association does not register as a political party. So, there is no logo accompanying their candidates’ names on the ballot paper for local elections. The Independent Ratepayers do not to have an election manifesto, instead we make two commitments:
- To watch over the interests of Heald Green ward; and
- A commitment to support the smooth running of Stockport Council in the interests of all local residents.
As part of Stockport Council the Independent Ratepayer councillors’ approach is NEVER to form coalitions or align with any political party. We maintain our independence; in a situation where there is no overall control within Stockport Council the councillors will seek to support the smooth running of the council by supporting the political party with the largest number of councillors.
Resident associations like ours sprang up in the 1930s, a time of significant urban expansion. The Heald Green and Long Lane Ratepayers’ Association began in 1927. When Heald Green ward was created in 1929 the Ratepayers put forward a candidate. We Independent Councillors have won every local election ever since. A remarkable feat, given that very few of the other resident associations have clung on either locally or nationally. Our abiding principle of ‘Watching over the interests of Heald Green ward,’ means we are here for everyone in the ward too, that’s why we aim to knock every door and deliver our Contact magazine to every household; whereas councillors in other areas only share information with their supporters. We are genuinely here for everyone who lives here.
Our other principle is the smooth running of the council, we’re not here to be controversial or cause problems. We get on with helping ensure things work as best they can, without making a fuss. Grown up politics. The Ratepayers councillors are respected and our opinion holds weight within the council because of this. When it comes to council meetings we don’t get involved in the petty tit for tat point scoring that so many people dislike about politics. It’s a tendency on social media the loudest voices are often the stupidest and so it can be with that brasher, aggressive, style of politics. Again, this is why we are respected for our constructive approach.
The funding constraints Stockport Council faces over the next three years mean that who ever is in charge will need to make significant cuts. The council will have to spend an increasing proportion of its budget on those statutory services supporting people (our ageing population etc) the ability to make change is very limited. Anyone who says differently is not being honest about the reality we face.
When it comes to who will be best placed to represent Heald Green ward in the local election it boils down to having the candidate who can best advocate for our ward and who understands the working of local government systems. Anna Charles-Jones, with her 10 years’ experience, is far and away the best candidate. Her understanding of planning, given her years of service on the Planning and Highways Committee is particularly strong, and will be essential in the latter stages of Local Plan development. Her experience is such that she works nationally as an LGA representative mentoring other councillors. The advice I was given is it takes four years (the length of a term) to find your feet. When I see some of the newer councillors coming through, and their naivety and lack of understanding on council issues I can absolutely see this. There is an awful lot to learn when you become a councillor.
Nationally and locally, our politics are becoming more fragmented. There is declining membership of political parties and growing numbers of independent councillors. Stockport Council has seen a significant increase in independent councillors in recent years. I can see why. Something that has really surprised me about my time as a councillor is the dishonesty of the political parties, even at this local level. The interests of the party come first – not the needs of the community. The level of cynicism has been shocking. I’ve seen how complex issues are deliberately manipulated and that people are often how unaware people of the true situation. Planning is one area in particular that political parties have sought to bamboozle residents. More recently there has been the pretence that local councillors can fix national and international issues that are well beyond the reach of the local council.
With our Latest News and Updates on our website, Contact magazine, our electronic newsletter and this blog that’s something we’ve tried hard to address. To ensure people are properly informed about council matters.
It’s really easy for campaigners to put lines in leaflets – the details of delivery aren’t there though. It’s important to scrutinise and fact check these promises, because often they are fairy tales. During 2024 I came home from campaigning feeling physically ill, on occasion, because of the lies that were being spread about me – because they were so far from the truth and the values that matter to me. I was appalled and saddened. It was desperate stuff. Why would any serious party need to spread these lies? Some politicians I realise, are very intense about these things and would happily sell their granny to Satan for an extra seat on Stockport Council. It’s an attitude I cannot stand. It is, I suppose, an inverse compliment that I wasn’t attacked on my record or the work I did but with made up stuff.
When we go out and about door knocking, we find the Ratepayers are generally respected and held in high regard in our ward, the real world is a very different place to the on line one! People really do appreciate our different approach, the spirit of our long tradition of independence. In particular they appreciate how we work positively and constructively to achieve results for our ward. More than that, it is because we are honest about what the future holds and what Stockport Council can and can’t do. Only with your support will we be able to keep doing this. Do please vote for my brilliant colleague Anna Charles-Jones on the 7th of May.
Published and promoted by Thomas Golden, 7 Drayton Drive SK8 3LE on behalf of Anna Charles-Jones, 71 Greenway Rd SK8 3NU