{{Short description|Organization}} {{update|date=September 2011}} {{Use British English|date=April 2025}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}} {{Infobox organization | name = Independent Network | logo = Independent Network logo.png | type = Non-profit association / political party | founded = 2005 | location = London, UK | region_served = Politics | product = | focus = Independent political candidates | method = | revenue = | endowment = | num_volunteers = | num_employees = | num_members = | subsid = | owner = | dissolved = | website = {{URL|https://independentnetwork.org.uk/}} | footnotes = }}

The '''Independent Network''' (IN) is a [[United Kingdom]]-based [[non-profit]] organisation supporting [[independent politician]]s and political candidates. It is registered as a political party with the [[Electoral Commission (United Kingdom)|Electoral Commission]] in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.<ref>{{cite web|author=<!--Not stated-->|title=Independent Network GB register entry|url=https://search.electoralcommission.org.uk/English/Registrations/PP1951|access-date=21 February 2023|website=|publisher=[[Electoral Commission (United Kingdom)|The Electoral Commission]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=<!--Not stated-->|title=Independent Network NI register entry|url=https://search.electoralcommission.org.uk/English/Registrations/PP4072|access-date=21 February 2023|website=|publisher=[[Electoral Commission (United Kingdom)|The Electoral Commission]]}}</ref>

IN consists of supporters and volunteers who advocate [[non-partisan]] politics. Former [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MPs]] [[Martin Bell]] and [[Richard Taylor (UK politician)|Richard Taylor]] have been involved. A number of supporters of IN are current independent representatives in [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|national]], [[National Assembly for Wales|regional]] and [[Local government in the United Kingdom|local]] governments.<ref name=":0" />

IN does not impose political views on the individuals it supports. However, individuals must adhere to a [[code of conduct]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

Furthering this commitment to independence, the organisation operates on the philosophy of being "free from the political whip." This model is designed to ensure that representatives remain autonomous, prioritizing the specific needs and priorities of their local constituents over centralized party agendas or national voting instructions.<ref name=":1" />

== Principles == The Independent Network operates under a formal commitment to the "Bell Principles," a framework for ethical governance named after the former independent MP Martin Bell. These principles serve as the organization's moral compass, emphasizing that representatives should be guided by integrity and the interests of their constituents rather than party loyalty.

According to its mission, the network mandates that all endorsed candidates adhere to these core values:

* Ethical Leadership: Making decisions based on community needs and principles rather than political expediency. * Transparency and Accountability: Maintaining open communication regarding funding, campaign strategies, and decision-making processes. * Inclusivity and Engagement: Actively seeking diverse community feedback to ensure all residents are authentically represented.

By adopting this framework, the Independent Network seeks to provide a "free from the political whip" alternative to traditional partisan politics, ensuring that independent voices remain accountable solely to the people they serve.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=The Independent Network |url=https://independentnetwork.org.uk/who-we-are |access-date=2026-02-28 |website=The Independent Network |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Organisation== Marianne Overton, Jim Thornton and Karen Lucioni are the organisation's leadership, fulfilling the roles of leader, treasurer, nominations officer and campaigns officer.<ref>{{cite web|author=<!--Not stated-->|title=Independent Network Our Leading Key People|url=https://independentnetwork.org.uk/our-people|access-date=21 February 2023}}</ref> Similarly, these individuals are the registered officers for the political party.<ref>{{cite web|author=<!--Not stated-->|title=Independent Network GB register entry|url=https://search.electoralcommission.org.uk/English/Registrations/PP1951|access-date=21 February 2023|website=|publisher=[[Electoral Commission (United Kingdom)|The Electoral Commission]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=<!--Not stated-->|title=Independent Network NI register entry|url=https://search.electoralcommission.org.uk/English/Registrations/PP4072|access-date=21 February 2023|website=|publisher=[[Electoral Commission (United Kingdom)|The Electoral Commission]]}}</ref> The organisation has been registered as a company since 2009, with Thornton and Brian Ahearne serving as directors.<ref>{{cite web|author=<!--Not stated-->|title=Independent Network Companies House registration|url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/07096039/officers|access-date=14 June 2023|website=|publisher=[[Companies House]]}}</ref>

==Supporters== IN has been supported by several notable figures in independent politics,<ref name=":0">{{cite news |first=Michael |last=White |author-link=Michael White (journalist) |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/mar/24/uk.houseofcommons |title=Bell Backs Indie MPs |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |location=London |date=24 March 2005 |accessdate=26 August 2010 |archive-date=18 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140918022027/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/mar/24/uk.houseofcommons |url-status=live }}</ref> including Martin Bell; Richard Taylor MP;<ref>http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/elections/article383210.ece {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604162815/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/elections/article383210.ece |date=4 June 2011 }} Martin Bell and Dr Richard Taylor give their backing to the Independent Network</ref> [[Terry Waite]] and [[Esther Rantzen]].

During the 2005 elections, with IN's backing, [[Reg Keys]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/apr/22/election2005.uk4 |title=Soldiers' bereaved parents back Keys campaign |first=Matthew |last=Tempest |date=22 April 2005 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306183646/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/apr/22/election2005.uk4 |archive-date=6 March 2016}} Article about Reg Key's campaign</ref> contested [[Sedgefield (UK Parliament constituency)|Sedgefield]], the constituency of [[Tony Blair]], following the death of his son in the Iraq War.

In January 2010, Waite sent an open letter to all independent Parliamentary candidates giving them his support and approval.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.opendemocracy.net/ourkingdom/guy-aitchison/new-year-letter-to-independent-candidates-from-terry-waite |title=Terry Waite Letter to the Independent Network |publisher=Opendemocracy.net |date=6 January 2010 |accessdate=26 August 2010 |archive-date=16 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616114650/http://www.opendemocracy.net/ourkingdom/guy-aitchison/new-year-letter-to-independent-candidates-from-terry-waite |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Services== [[Image:Independent Network Workshop PPCs.JPG|thumb|Independent PPCs at the January Workshop in Birmingham.]] IN offers services and support to independent candidates.<ref>{{cite web|author=<!--Not stated-->|title=Independent Network Membership and Support|url=https://independentnetwork.org.uk/membership-and-support|access-date=21 February 2023}}</ref> Services include: *Administrative and legal assistance for election purposes *A list of [[best practices]] for campaigning, fundraising, public relations, and appropriate use of the Internet. *[[Public opinion]] and policy research. *Organising debates and discussions.

In January 2010, IN held a workshop in the [[Birmingham]] Priory Rooms to instruct PPCs on the electoral process and regulations. Bell, Taylor, Rantzen, and [[Lynn Faulds Wood]] attended the event.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20111115095749/http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/christopherhope/100023596/vote-independent-esther-rantzen-lynn-faulds-wood-martin-bell-rally-the-troops/ The Daily Telegraph] A comment on the workshop</ref><ref>[https://workshopbirmingham.org/information/ About Workshop Birmingham]</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://stevenford.wordpress.com/2010/01/25/independent-network-workshop-broken-society-and-the-election-date/ |title=Independent Network Workshop, Broken Society and The Election Date |publisher=Stevenford.wordpress.com |date=25 January 2010 |accessdate=26 August 2010 |archive-date=18 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718110617/http://stevenford.wordpress.com/2010/01/25/independent-network-workshop-broken-society-and-the-election-date/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

IN endorsed independent candidates in the 2010 election. Endorsed candidates could use the IN logo and branding.<ref>[http://www.independentnetwork.org.uk/endorsement_pack IN Endorsement Pack]{{dead link|date=August 2010}}</ref>

=== The Candidate Academy === As part of its expanded support framework, the Independent Network operates the Candidate Academy, a specialized initiative designed to provide independent politicians with structured training and mentorship. The academy focuses on equipping candidates with the practical skills and legal knowledge necessary to navigate the electoral process without the institutional support of traditional political parties. By offering resources on campaign strategy and voter engagement, the academy serves as a professional hub where candidates can share best practices while maintaining their commitment to the Bell Principles. This educational infrastructure aims to ensure that independent representatives can conduct robust, ethically-grounded campaigns that are responsive to local community needs.<ref name=":1" />

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * [http://www.independentnetwork.org.uk The Independent Network Homepage] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20090918101038/http://independent-mps.co.uk/ Independent MPs blog] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20170715052242/http://www.homepage-link.to/election/ Guide to Becoming an Independent Candidate]

[[Category:Political organisations based in the United Kingdom]] [[Category:Independent politicians in the United Kingdom]] [[Category:Organizations established in 2005]]