I wanted you to be the first to know!

NOTIFICATION OF NEW POLITICAL GROUP

Please be advised that with affect from today Monday 19^th October 2009 that together we the following members of Council:

Cllr Tony CLARKE

Cllr Jean HAWKINS

Cllr Malcolm MILDREN

Have formed and wish to be treated as a new political group on the council known as “The Independent Group” based on the following shared principles:

INDEPENDENCE: We are not a political party, and we will follow no Party/Group whip, nor impose on our group members any actions other than to respect our core values and principles. We will remain individual Independent voices in Council.

EQUALITY: We believe that all are born and remain equal and all should have equal access to the same life opportunities and experiences, we abhor racism and intolerance and fight the injustices they bring. We will work together to achieve equality of opportunity for all citizens of Northampton and to all users of Council services.

HONESTY: We believe that politics, local and national has become riven with self interest and party manipulation, we will inform the citizens of the town through our actions and through Council the true position of our Town and Council and let the people make their own judgements.

TRUTH: Likewise we believe that the public must always be told the truth, even when it is not pleasant for them to hear, we will therefore be open and truthful in all our dealings.

LOCAL PRIDE: We believe in Civic Pride and we are proud of our heritage and at ease with our future. We want only what is best for our town. Therefore we will work constructively with other members and groups on Council where we feel they have the best interests of the town at heart.

We ask that the Council make the necessary arrangements and alterations under regulation 8 of the Local Government (Committees & Political Groups) regulations 1990 forthwith.

Cllr Tony CLARKE Leader of Group

Cllr Malcolm MILDREN Deputy Leader

Cllr Jean HAWKINS Business Manager

(My apologies for those outside of Northampton who will not know that Cllrs Hawkins and Mildren resigned from the Liberal Democrat whip at the weekend and in doing so made a brave and couragous stand against the way the Council is currently being run. Thier switch to sit as Independents reduced the administrations majority from 5 down to 1)