Independents are increasingly defeating establishment parties on a local level. But that’s not always a sign of progress, and Warrington is a good example of that – where Reform is disguising its candidates as independents.
Reform’s parish-level ‘independent’ candidates
Being ‘independent’ can clearly mean different things to different people.
Reform policy has been to disguise candidates at parish level, removing any controversial issues that might arise from being linked to a billionaire-owned, profit-reaping business of a political party. Nevertheless, it is still very easy to distinguish these far-right bad actors as a result of the hard work of other independents, who have chosen to pursue substance and social value where others have simply resorted to style and sensationalism.
Neil Johnson, now independent for Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft elected originally on a Labour ticket, has consistently voiced divisive and toxic views, attacking other candidates and elected representatives at a parish and borough council level. Yet when we dig deeper into the substance behind his protestations and cynical manipulations, we find precious little action taken.
Johnson has used grandstanding tactics of attacking the local council for refusing to negotiate on CPS Centre landlord issues, all whilst failing to lodge a formal objection to the first CPS planning scheme until of course, there was a wave of outrage to ride on in the CPS’ second application. Coupled with cynical attacks at other councillors, based on Facebook posts on trans rights and compassion towards immigrants and the vulnerable, Johnson’s interests are clear: toxic debate, confrontation and press coverage – with little to no actual depth and delivery.
For instance, the only verifiable applied work that has been done, other than sensationalist, divisive statements, has been the cleaning of a local speed sign and cutback of overgrowth in Risley. Every small action becomes a story, every disagreement becomes a moral crusade, whilst remaining notably silent on hard infrastructure, measurable improvements, or even concrete health checks on his own lofty claims.
Two types of independent…
Instead of winning support and respect through merit and quality, they choose to attack the character and substance of others, in absence of any value to their own.
This issue is made worse when it is amplified by local media, namely the Warrington Worldwide and Warrington Guardian, who have taken to being client journalists for right-wing candidates. Maybe the sensationalism and baseless, grand statements churned out by independent-right representatives have led to an increase in readership due to the increase in local click-bait, but it definitely has not resulted in good value for our hometown when hate and anger are simply incited with no real show of ambition for actual solutions.
As we’ve seen across the mainstream corporate media, journalists are failing in their responsibility to hold the powerful and influential to account for their statements and actions, churning positive coverage out without any attempts to ensure the accuracy of its content.
On the other hand, fellow independent local councillor Stuart Mann, for Burtonwood and Winwick, has shown what it is to choose principle over spectacle and spin. With a history of standing alone in refusing the out-of-touch allowance increase for councillors, challenging the local councils track record on spending and investments, and most recently pursuing a motion to the Labour-run council challenging the introduction of digital ID’s, demanding this to be optional rather than compulsory, this independent shows what it is to be responsible to their hometown and community.
To make the differences even more stark, we also see that Mann chooses to work collaboratively wherever possible, regardless of party lines or any need for grandstanding for applause. Where rightwing independents have chosen bullying and cancel culture, others show it is possible to put the best interests of the local community before ego and self-interest.
Reform are parachuting in politicians who don’t care about the community
Terry White, former Reform member in Birchwood, hasn’t held back following a decision to leave the party following the suspension of its Warrington Branch:
Following the suspension of the Warrington Branch, the lack of meeting to create policy in the inevitable case that they take control of Warrington Council, and the lack of free speech in practice, today I have quit Reform UK. It is simply the case that Reform UK, who have even welcomed two members of the BNP to their meetings in Warrington, have never even pondered a single local policy.
Furthermore, the branch has simply served as a vessel for the sake of getting a member of party staff to be elected as the MP for Warrington South when they do not even live in Warrington.
Parachute candidates in store for Reform UK, it seems.
White added:
To me, this highlights that Reform UK, which claims to be in favour of democracy and free speech and strong local communities, the values of which I joined the party for, do not believe in these things.
However, White holds a different perspective as to why Reform refuses to stand candidates on a party platform at parish level:
…they opted to not stand candidates for local parish council elections because they saw parish councils as being beneath them.
This damning post hardly indicates that this billionaire-run party actually gives the faintest concern about how our forgotten and left-behind communities feel about the state of our society.
Fill the void with the grassroots
That vacuum signifies the potential for a socialist, leftwing movement to really break through the hate and division in our communities that have long been let down and ignored by Westminster, but it must ensure that it connects to the organic, grassroots movements that are popping up across the country.
Showing up at a community level, addressing the concerns and anxieties of local residents, is the necessary and vital action that will ensure we defeat the rise of the far-right, as that is how local people will distinguish between style and sensationalism over substance, and choose the best candidates to represent their interests.
Featured image via the Canary
This post was originally published on Canary.