A new voice for the community and a new initiative for local government in one of East Yorkshire’s largest electoral wards has been unveiled.

INDEPENDENT FUTURE is a group launched by former Deputy Leader of the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Mike Stathers, to give what he describes as a much-needed boost to local representation.
Its members’ main aim is to kick politics out of local government.

Initially, the group will focus on the Wolds Weighton Ward, which is currently represented at County Hall by Cllr Stathers, but organisers hope to recruit supporters and candidates from elsewhere in the region in the coming months.

An East Riding councillor for almost eight years, the former Deputy Leader and Cabinet member resigned from the Conservative Party in July, citing the scandalous behaviour of the Party nationally and the ‘weak and vision-less’ Conservative leadership at ERYC.

Cllr Stathers, along with Catherine Simpson, will contest the Wolds Weighton Ward at the local elections in May, next year, as INDEPENDENT FUTURE candidates.

He said:

“I resigned from the Conservatives because I could no longer support an organisation so bereft of integrity nationally and so bereft of community support for this part of East Yorkshire. I was never intending to leave quietly but the response I received from my decision has been so positive that I was encouraged to seek re-election next May but under an Independent flag.

“Wolds Weighton has 28 parishes, including the town of Market Weighton, but it has been a constant battle to persuade the budget holders at Beverley to channel much-needed funds our way, funds that would provide more youth activities, encourage greater business investment to create new jobs, more money for our deteriorating roads and so many other areas of need.

“Beverley, Bridlington and Goole have had more than their fair share of funding. It’s time Market Weighton, Pocklington and the surrounding villages got a bigger bite of the cake.”

Cllr Stathers is a former Portfolio Holder for Planning and has frequently spoken out against the extent of new house-building in Market Weighton and Pocklington in recent years.

He said:

“Both towns have had enough new homes.
“These are popular county towns and people want to live here but the massively increased populations of both has begun to overwhelm local infrastructure, local schools and health services. This has to stop.”
He added: “My fellow INDEPENDENT FUTURE candidate, Catherine, has strong connections in Market Weighton and Shiptonthorpe and is clerk to several Parish Councils, a position that has given her valuable experience and knowledge of local community affairs.”

Catherine said:

“Between us, if elected, we will represent Wolds Weighton at County Hall with determination, honesty and integrity, proving that it is time to kick politics out of local government, leaving room for the real arguments to be heard and for decisions to be made that will benefit all residents of Wolds Weighton.

“Petty Party politics have been a blight on our communities. There can be no argument that many of our villages need better Broadband, better roads, help with public transport and a strong voice on planning decisions. All these matters are clear and should never be influenced by any one political persuasion.”