A group of Independents have spoken of the reasons why they prefer not be part of the mainstream political parties and the advantages it brings them as councillors, and the residents they serve.

The current Independent Group is 10-strong led by Clive Arthey, with Derek Davis as his deputy.

In addition, a group of four Independent Conservatives, will be dropping the Conservative label in the forthcoming elections and stand purely as Independents.

Clive Arthey, Babergh Independent Group Leader (Picture contributed)

The Independent Group is not a political party but an entity put together for political purposes within the Babergh process.

By definition an Independent is an individual councillor, but in order to be able to serve on a committee, such as planning, they need to group together.

That means one of the myths about Independents not having a voice on the council is well and truly busted with virtually all key positions held by an Independent.

This includes Chair and Vice Chair of Council, Council Leader and Deputy Leader and the Chairs of the Planning, Scrutiny and Licensing committees and the Western Suffolk Community Safety Partnership.

Clive Arthey is the Independent Group's leader and has led by example, as deputy leader of Babergh and a portfolio holder.

He said: "There is a long history of Independents at Babergh and we have been one of the largest groups on the council. Unaffected by political dogma we are able to concentrate on achieving the best outcomes for all our residents and their communities.

"Babergh's Independents encompass the political spectrum, but we are united by a social conscience that comes ahead of party politics.

"Over the last four years we have proved that we can successfully form an administration with other political groups. Our aim is to have an administration that is representative and proportionate. We try to understand a range of stated positions and reach a productive consensus. We believe in evidence, analysis and assessment, rather than blind group support.

"We want to be able to defend the decisions we make on behalf of our residents, and even if someone disagrees with a decision we want them to understand the way we reached it.

"It is no surprise that so many Independents on Babergh have had additional responsibilities on the council – they stand for election because they really care about where we live."

Babergh leader John Ward, switching from Conservative to Indpendent (Picture: Nub News)

Babergh leader, and former Conservative Group leader John Ward, has made it clear he will be looking to represent his constituency, as an Independent in future.

He said: "In Babergh, party politics has never been a central element of the administration, which has been No Overall Control from its inception in 1974 to 2015, when a majority Conservative administration was formed. 

"When Babergh reverted to No Overall Control in 2019, I put together a coalition administration that represents the views of all our residents and which has proved to be very effective. I do believe that working with the other groups has enabled the best talents in the council to be used – and the benefit of drawing on ideas from all groups has improved decision making.

"Last year, I was very disappointed that many in the Conservative group decided that they no longer wanted to be part of the coalition.

"National party policies and internal disagreements within the national parties really have no place in local politics and are detrimental to effective local government. At a local level, all authorities are facing similar problems of how to maintain services while funding declines – and are having to come up with similar solutions.

"Independent councillors, with their pragmatic approach to consensus building and drawing on the best ideas from all, have shown at Babergh that they can form the core of effective local government that, despite funding constraints, has been able to maintain services and support many excellent projects that deliver real benefits for our communities and their wellbeing."

Three of the four current peninsula councillors are Independents

Another of the four former Conservatives is Cabinet member and Stour ward councillor Mary McLaren.

She said: "My personal philosophy  " People matter more than Politics" was challenged last year when facing a request by my local party to create a potential political upheaval within the wider group of elected members. 

"Crossing the floor provides me with the ability to represent the people who elected me without fear of censure. I can listen, encourage and independently seek to achieve the aspirations of my residents without pressure to conform to a required directive.

"Residents are pleased my public commitment to them was greater than any political dogma."

Brantham councillor Alastair McCraw is a cabinet member and planning committee member.

He said: "My aim has always been to 'Make It Work, Then Make It Work Better'. It can be a slow process at times. Having chaired Scrutiny and now on the Cabinet, I've had front row seat on the entire process.

"It's about being grown-ups, preserving our services, always looking for improvements, refinements, and treating everybody with due respect.

"That is what we as Independents do so well."

Fellow peninsula councillor Derek Davis, who represents Ganges ward and is Babergh vice-chairman, said: "I stood as an Independent because I too believe in putting people before party politics.

"Independents get things done, and for the right reasons for our residents, not to serve a particular political master.

"I have served as a cabinet member on two administrations, the planning committee and represent Babergh on the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB to preserve, protect and enhance our landscape.

"This shows how we have a loud voice at Babergh and can influence a better future, even if it a long and sometimes arduous process."

John Hinton

East Bergholt's John Hinton is one of the district's longest serving councillor.

He said: "I am a firm believer in elected representatives representing their total electorate.

"I have been proud to serve the village of East Bergholt on both Parish and District Councils for 26 years. The focus should be on what matters to the local electorate whilst negotiating the maze that is national politics. Independents offer a opportunity to do what is right for our communities and not what may fit an overall national picture.

"There are many challenges ahead and the mooted Babergh amalgamation with Mid Suffolk , as a "Heart of Suffolk" council, is just one of them.

"As an Independent I feel that I am better placed to maintain the integrity of the village and the district in moving forward responsibly."

Sudbury councillors Jan and Adrian Osborne recalled how in the 2015 Babergh elections the Conservatives achieved an overall majority. However, this created many problems and did not achieve any benefits for residents and communities. 

She added: "In the 2019 elections Babergh reverted back to no overall control, which meant all the groups working together. However, the Conservative Group did not agree with this and it became very toxic within the group. This resulted in five members of the Conservative Group leaving the Conservatives and serving as Independents.  

"The feeling of not having to toe the party line and to be free to vote for what was and is right for our residents and communities was a great relief and so much more beneficial for all.

 "Independent councillors, with their practical thinking and approach to working together, and not led by politics, but more by principles and values, works well in achieving what is best for all.

"This approach has worked really well. By drawing on our relevant skills, knowledge and aspirations has helped us be much more effective."

Long Melford is served by two district councillors John Nunn and Elisabeth Malvisi who have fund themselves working even closer together more recently.

Long standing Independent John Nunn has served on various committee and bodies in his 12 years including, Overview and Scrutiny, Audit and Standards, the Licensing and Regulatory committee's, the Joint Advisory Committee and partnership to the Dedham Vale and Stour Valley (AONB)and also represents Babergh on the management board for the Association of Suffolk Museums which is particularly close to his heart as Chairman of the Long Melford Heritage Trust and Heritage Centre that which he co-founded in 2012. 

John said: "I care dearly for the villages in my Ward and like to think that I go the extra mile to help my constituents with the problems they bring to me. As an Independent Councillor I truly believe in freedom of speech and I know through my years on the council that the Babergh Independent group really does work together to achieve the  best outcome for our constituents.

Liz Malvisi said: "It was a long time ago that I joined the Conservative Party and when I stood for election in 2019 I stood as a Conservative candidate. However what I heard and saw appalled me which is why I withdrew from the party and became an Independent councillor. 

"Not an Independent Conservative but a straight honest Independent and that is what I am going into these elections as. 

"I believe in free speech, I believe that we have abused our planet, I believe that no one person or party has all the answers and at District Level we need to work together to the benefit of our residents. 

"MPs get paid councillors receive an allowance and I can tell you that the past four years in the cabinet have shown me  how much most  councillors and all officers, have worked to do the right thing for the residents of Babergh. 

"I'm not one to posture, I don't like it when others try to score points; it's unnecessary, demeaning and hurtful;  put simply there is simply no need its not Westminster with Parliamentary Privilege.  

"These past four years I have worked hard to move Babergh forward in respect of  Climate Change, the Environment and Bio-Diversity so much so that BMSDC won silver at the recent iESE awards.

"By changing the fuel used in our waste freighters we have removed 98% of their emissions but there is more to do."

Editors note:

All councillors are willing to be contacted.

Please call me 07824167196 if you do not have their contact details.