Westhoughton First Independents
Westhoughton First Independents is a new way of working for local politics.
We're not about parties or arguments or national issues. We field candidates from all backgrounds and with a range of different skills and opinions. What unites us and enables us to work together is that we all care about one thing – what's best for Westhoughton.
Westhoughton First Independents are people living in the community putting themselves forward to give a different, red-blue-yellow rosette-free choice at election times. It's a way to enable truly independent candidates to stand – and hopefully win – in the local elections in Westhoughton. The Councillors elected are then able to work together without party political ideology to make the best decisions they can for the town without a 'whip' or formal leadership.
This model as proved successful in many parts the country and has enabled Parish and Town Councils to get the very best for their local communities. Always being engaging, transparent and open with the electorate, they have with their help and cooperation elected independent councillors who have done their best to serve the community.
Westhoughton was once an Urban District Council, and has a rich heritage and traditions of electing independents councillors over 30 years, a tradition that the community values, and for which it is showing increasing support. It's not just about taking pride in being a self-contained town with independence from Bolton, but a town that knows what's best for the local residents that live here and are part of a community within its boundary.
We first burst onto the scene in the 2019 local elections when we fielded 10 candidates of whom 5 were elected to Westhoughton Town Council. Jack Speight has been an independent town councillor since 2012. We have contributed to Westhoughton political life during some difficult times for everybody, and we hope have made a positive difference. We were pleased to see our first Town Mayor in position when Lisa Reilly took on the role in 2021 aided by Consort Charlie Reilly.
Where Candidates are elected, they continue to use the 'Ways of Working' which guided the selection process, and which underpin our open, positive and constructive approach to local politics.
Our candidates for the 2023 elections on May 4th are raring to go and look forward to meeting and hopefully representing you. As a small party making inroads we do appreciate your support. If you would like to help us bring change to local politics we would love to hear from you. Westhoughton First Independents needs help with campaigning from delivering leaflets to working on our social media presence or even just having a leaflet in your window or a board in your front garden. Talk to us, tell us your concerns.
"It is an honour and privilege to serve and represent Chequerbent Ward since 2012 as an independent councillor. I am born and bred as a Lancashire lad and have lived in Westhoughton for over 35 years. I studied at University of Salford and was elected to represent the NUS at National level. I work as a freelance driver in the transport industry from Public Service Vehicles and Heavy Goods Vehicles to Boardroom Executive. I volunteer and serve on the board at Bolton Hoot Credit Union for over 10 years as complacence officer. I helped start Friends of Daisy Hill Station and more recently Westhoughton Allotment and Gardening Society, being Chair of both voluntary groups. As my passion for nature, I own and managed land for natural rewilding habitats of Scottish wild cats, deer and owls protecting our green open spaces and greenbelt land for the future."
Jack Speight was also the Westhoughton First Independents candidate for Borough Councillor for the Westhoughton North & Hunger Hill Ward ☑ in the Bolton Council Elections 4th May 2023.
"I moved to Westhoughton 47 years ago and worked as a Hospital Pharmacist at Leigh Infirmary. became Chief Pharmacist for the Bolton Hospitals in 1981. My wife worked as a teacher at Canon Slade School. We had two sons who both went to Washacre Junior School. I ran the St. Bartholomew's Cub Football team, which won the local Cub league in 1989. At the time I was a keen runner and ran the London Marathon in 1992, following in his dad's footsteps my son has now run over 150 marathons! One son is a Pharmacist at Manchester Royal and the other a teacher at Manchester Grammar, and we are lucky to be blessed with two Grandsons Tommy and George.
In 2012 I joined a group of local people in Westhoughton who wanted to make a difference to the then derelict Westhoughton Station - it was nothing but bricks and rubble; the old station house had been demolished and. the site left in a poor state. We formed a group called the 'Friends of Westhoughton Station' and asked for money from the National Lottery to help our improvement project. Luckily we were able to get funding and hired many skips to clear the remaining rubble. This was the beginning of the revival the can be seen today - we are very proud of efforts and the work of our volunteers. Local businesses such as Stateside and Darby’s have supported us. I am the Chair of the group and write a regular blog on Facebook Friends of Westhoughton Station which attracts several thousand followers. Put simply, I want to put back more into the town, one that has meant so much to me over the years."
"I was born in Westhoughton and so I am a real KeawYed, living in Howfen for most of my life, and had a varied career in both private and public companies. I hold degrees in engineering and public health. I also hold a master’s degree in public health and retired as a public health consultant for the now defunct Bolton Primary Care Trust.
I am interested in trying to reduce traffic congestion in Westhoughton, which I am concerned about, especially Park Road."
"I’m Julie. You might have seen me litter picking down my Street, I've lived in Westhoughton most of my life. I have happy memories growing up here, and have seen so many changes over the years. I would be really honoured to represent you and to be committed to putting the needs of our Town first. I ask you humbly for your support and vote.
I have lived and grown up in Westhoughton for over 30 years attending Daisy Hill and Westhoughton High School. Gaining A-levels to work in the NHS for over 20 years and currently work as a Senior Physiotherapy Assistant. As a mother and grandmother I have volunteered for Bolton Lads and Girls Club to help young children to develop social skills and help children with their reading at Daisy Hill School. I also acted and volunteered with local Amateur Dramatic Society - The Bethel Crowd - and have many fond memories over many years with them."
"I was born in Blackrod but have resided in Westhoughton with my partner Sheila for the last 37 years. I worked as a construction cost consultant on many prestigious projects both at home and abroad and retired ten years ago. I am a Committee Member, Safeguarding Officer and Team Captain at Westhoughton Park Veterans Bowling Club which provides a social meeting place for our members, many of whom live alone.
My other interests include the built environment which is particularly relevant given the amount of new housing being erected in Westhoughton and the lack of local sporting facilities provided for our younger members of society."
"I have lived in Westhoughton for over 50 years. Married for 37 years, my husband and I have 2 children and are blessed with 6 young grandchildren all living locally who go to St George’s CofE Primary School. My husband and I run a family business, manufacturing beds and mattresses to the public and different sectors such as care home groups and universities. In my spare-time I enjoy spending time with my children and grandchildren, watching live bands, reading, and going to my local bingo every Sunday with my mother. I decided to be put myself forward as a councillor to make a difference in our local community and hopefully be an extra voice to achieve changes and improvements that local residents like myself have been asking for."
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Sharon Gough was also the Westhoughton First Independents candidate for Borough Councillor for the Westhoughton South Ward ☑ in the Bolton Council Elections 4th May 2023.
"My name is Niall; I am 25 and have 2 children. I am currently retraining to become a Lecturer in Criminology. I was not born in Westhoughton; however, the area became my home around 3 years ago. The community have been so warm and welcoming to me and my family. Therefore, I want to make sure the people who live here get the most back from their hard work and hospitality toward each other.
I want to encourage the community to exercise their powers to change things on a local level, without the politics of other large parties that follow the rule of Parliament."
A nurse, Nilda graduated with a Masters Degree from Liverpool John Moors University in 'International Public Health'. She is a strong advocate and champion of public well-being and services. A believer in the unique NHS care ethos. Involved in promoting ethical Fairtrade organisations.
She sees Westhoughton as having a village-like closeness and community togetherness that makes a unique place to live – something that should be safeguarded and encouraged.
"I have lived in Westhoughton for fifteen years. I am married and have two sons. My youngest son is a pupil at Westhoughton High. I am a Teaching Assistant for an agency and have work over the Greater Manchester area as a tutor for young adults in colleges and one-to-one learning.
I have a passion for the underdog to be able to access more learning and funding… for our Westhoughton way of life, including the extensive building on our area and the protection now of wildlife, how money is spent, including roads, public funding, decisions being made for Westhoughton and how it is going/working with the electorate."
"I moved to Westhoughton in 2004 where I live with my partner and daughter. For the first few years, I worked in a number of places in Wingates Industrial Park. A few years later I moved my career to IT - which enabled me to support small local businesses. I'm always using small local businesses for services as I believe that this will be added value to local communities.
I enjoy my photography which is a great hobby for capturing the world around us and those everyday scenes around Westhoughton - its community, gardens, wildlife and nature."
Buoyed by the success of the Independent movement locally in places like Farnworth & Kearsley, Blackrod and Horwich, and nationally in Frome, Liskeard, Bath and Minehead… Westhoughton First Independents is again giving voters the chance to vote in some new and very local faces onto Westhoughton Town Council. In 2019 from a standing start, with a minimal budget and without the might of the party machine, Westhoughton First Independents became the second largest party ahead of the Conservatives and Labour (no councillors) and were only 121 votes short of being the largest party on Westhoughton Town Council. This time round your support could make all the difference!
The rise of the Independents is both a healthy sign for our democracy and measure of how jaded people have become with main-stream political parties. Of the 60 Bolton Council sitting Councillors, 13 are Independents/'hyper-local' parties, so change can happen. Westhoughton First Independents is again giving voters the chance to vote in new people onto Westhoughton Town Council, which through the precept on your Council Tax looks after a budget of some £150,000 and has a say on borough decision-making. 12 Candidates on the ballot in 6 Westhoughton Town Council Wards (18 Town Councillors) looking to give local people a new voice in local politics; 2 Candidates for Bolton Council (60 Councillors).
Following the 2023 election the make-up of Bolton Council is as follows: Labour 26 (+5); Conservative 17 (-7); Independents and Others 11 (+3); Liberal Democrats 6* (0). No Overall Control / Labour the largest party.
*3 Westhoughton Councillors.
Following the 2023 election the make-up of Westhoughton Town Council is as follows: Liberal Democrats 13 (+7); Conservative 2 (-3); Labour 2 (+2); Westhoughton First Independents 1 (-3). Liberal Democrats majority.
Election Day: Thursday 4th May 2023
Westhoughton First Independents for Westhoughton Town Council
Westhoughton First Independents for Bolton Borough Council
Voter ID
This election sees Voter Photo ID required for in-person voting, many forms of ID are acceptable including passports; driving licenses, Blue Badge (parking), local travel passes such as a bus pass or a 'Proof of Age' card with hologram meeting the Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS), e.g., a 'Challenge 25' ID for buying alcohol.
Should a voter not have any Photo ID, it is possible to apply online for a Voter Authority Certificate (letter with a validated photo) - application completed by 25/4/23. VAC form (download).
It's hard not to be jaded by the goings on in politics over recent years; in Westminster MPs have shown themselves to be arrogant, out-of-touch, looking down on those whose votes put them in Parliament - things being done to us rather than for us. Not since the expenses scandals have MPs been so unpopular; there is no leadership, little integrity, electoral promises and manifestos are empty words and democracy itself seems to be hanging by a thread. Locally, we see the same old bickering and blame game from Liberals, Labour and Conservatives; the same old faces taking us for granted and often plain lying to get a reaction. Westhoughton as usual baring the brunt of development whilst services and infrastructure fail to keep up with demand and need. Westhoughton itself never seems to get a fair share of the Bolton budget considering how much the town contributes - that said, we are pleased to see investment in the town centre. However in many areas we get a poor deal.
Apathy, low turnouts and the 'First Past The Post' (FPTP) system means little changes… So, what can you do? Firstly, you can cast your vote - only 1:3 tend to vote at local elections, you can make a difference. Secondly, you can vote for an Independent Candidate - what have you got to lose? Thirdly, you can send a message loudly and clearly by electing Independent Councillors to show that what the main parties continue to offer is not good enough - you want change and you want fairness, and you want people representing you who will answer to the people first not the party.
More independents sitting on Westhoughton Town Council, and others making inroads into Bolton Council, is the only way to affect the necessary change in local politics; the only way they will be made to listen and to take ordinary people seriously. We need to get back to dealing real issues and not window dressing and virtue-signalling; we need to be making people's lives easier not harder, happier not more stressful, giving people hope for their futures and confidence in political and administrative system and processes.
Never has Democracy more needed change, and never has Politics been more in need of a Spring Clear-out!
Your Westhoughton First Independents Candidates
for Westhoughton Town Council
at Local Elections Thursday, 4th May 2023
Promoted and published by Westhoughton First Independents | © 2019-23
60 Clough Avenue, Westhoughton, Bolton BL5 2NQ