Swale Independents | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leader | Mike Baldock |
| Founded | 21 May 2018; 6 years ago (2018-05-21) |
| Headquarters | 24 Station Road, Newington, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 7JS |
| Ideology | Localism |
| Colours | Orange Green |
| Slogan | "Putting Local People First" |
| Kent County Council | 1 / 81 |
| Swale Borough Council | 8 / 47 |
| Website | |
| www | |
TheSwale Independents are a localpolitical party based in theborough of Swale. It was founded in 2018 by the former leader ofUKIP on Swale Borough Council, Mike Baldock.[1][2][3]
They sit together with oneindependent on Swale Borough Council as "The Swale Independents Alliance".[4]
At the2019 Swale Borough Council election, the party elected 10 councillors. After the election, a "rainbow coalition" of the Swale Independents,Labour,Liberal Democrats, independents, and theGreens, was formed. This ended 17 years ofConservative control of the council.[5][6][7]
In 2020, the party's leader, Mike Baldock, faced criticism foropposing new houses being built, despite being alandlord who owns three houses, and an acre of land, worth £1 million in total.[8]
At the2021 Kent County Council election, Baldock won a seat, becoming the party's sole representative on the council.[9][10]
From April 2022 to May 2023, Baldock served as Swale Borough Council's leader.[11][12]
At the2023 Swale Borough Council election, the party won 11 council seats.[13] Afterwards, they formed another coalition with Labour and the Greens.[14]
In December 2023, Baldock resigned as deputy leader of Swale Borough Council, after a disagreement with the Labour group. He returned to the role just two weeks later.[15][16]
In March 2024, Baldock was selected as the party's candidate forSittingbourne and Sheppey in the2024 general election.[17] He came fourth with 7.9% of the vote.[18]
The party supports Swale Borough Council changing from acabinet system to a committee structure. It opposeswhipping and the prioritisation ofpartisan interests over local people.[19]
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