CAMPAIGN: VICTORY for a Referendum on How YOU Are Governed

 

Leader of Somerset Independents
Andrew Pope

 

"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." (earliest quote by Nicholas Klein, Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - often attributed to Indian Independence Leader Mahatma Gandhi)

Somerset Independents was formed in 2020 to stand up for residents. We have done exactly that.

We had to, because those who are elected to stand up for you, did not.

Instead of listening to residents' views, Somerset's councillors tried to ignore us. They probably laughed at us behind our backs. They tried to fight us.

Now we've won.

As reported by Mendip District Council, all four district councils will be proposing a Referendum next week on how YOU are governed and how Somerset's councils are run and how they spend OUR money.

Liberal Democrat, Tory, Green and Labour and fake independent councillors in Somerset district and county councils tried to ignore us. Both of these deeply flawed proposals were supported by a majority of councillors on those councils.

The County Council Leader, Tory Councillor David Fothergill and his corrupt Minister friend, Cabinet Minister Robert Jenrick tried to ignore us.

Even the Prime Minister Boris Johnson tried to ignore us, telling Parliament that a "consultation" was enough, in response to a suggestion of a Referendum from Conservative MP Ian Liddell-Grainger. A sham consultation isn't enough.

Leader of Somerset Independents Andrew Pope responds to the news of the Referendum:

"We were right to campaign for this Referendum. But councillors, MPs and even the Prime Minister have tried to ignore us!

We said repeatedly that only a Referendum will do.

Yet this promise of a Referendum from the districts is not enough.

They are proposing a Referendum, but only between two terrible options.

There is not a "no change" option. There is not a "not now" option during the Coronavirus Pandemic.

They propose to only offer a Hobson's Choice.

A Hobson's Choice between the "One Somerset" proposal suggested by the Tories on the County Council and the "Stronger Somerset" option proposed by the Tories and Lib Dems on the four district councils.

And they need to allow adequate time for them to try to make the case, because based on the last poll in 2007, 82% of residents said a very firm "NO".

But of course, they want to try to railroad residents into a rushed decision. 

Residents deserve better than these robbers of democracy."

Somerset Independents Officer Denise Wyatt says:

Denise Wyatt
Co-Founder of Somerset Independents
And Campaigner For A Referendum

"At last, the district councils are doing what we asked them to do - to give you a choice.

They they have finally taken our suggestion of a Referendum.

A suggestion which we campaigned hard for.

This should not be happening during a National Emergency.

But at last, they have listened.

Why didn't these Lib Dems, Tories, Greens and Labour councillors do it last year, when we first campaigned for it? 

Why did us volunteers have to do it?

Because they are party politicians and they do not stand up for residents - ONLY WHEN MADE TO, do they do it. It's totally wrong.

But we are glad to have got this result.

More needs to be done to give all the options that residents deserve.

We will campaign for that now."

Somerset Independents will continue to provide the leadership that those elected cannot provide.

The Lib Dems, Greens, Tory and Labour councillors are followers, not leaders.

Somerset Independents will continue to stand up for residents and to fight to retain and improve our democratic rights.

Standing Up For You