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1:30pm Saturday 3rd May 2008
BLACKWOOD Independent councillor Kevin Etheridge said he was overjoyed with the council election results in Caerphilly.
The Independents doubled their seats in the former Islwyn area from the last election, jumping from two to four, winning nine seats overall.
Now the group faces the prospect of deciding which party to form a coalition with and Cllr Etheridge said he would be discussing their options with his fellow Independent councillors in the coming days.
He said: "I think we need to talk to the other parties, it's fairly early days. I have always been in favour of coalition politics and working for the good of the community.
"All options are open, what we want is the best for the rate payers of Caerphilly County Borough, we're prepared to listen and discuss."
oatley, says...
2:55pm Sat 3 May 08
BOB wrote:The Independents elected could run the Council with their eyes closed and the end result would be great. And the previous Independent Elected Councillors have never ignored the electorate and no doubt the new elected Councillors will also do same, they have been there 24 hours a day for anyone that needs their help.
I see the Politians have leant nothing. The same total unaccountability from them. You were not elected on the basis of forming a coalition. You have no mandate at all from the electorate to do so. If you wish to renege on the basis that you were elected then you need to go back to the electorate to see a fresh mandate, Will you. Hel of course you will not as usual the electorate will be ignored and they will do as they please. Its little wonder that Politians are held in such low regard.
Liam, newport says...
3:09pm Sat 3 May 08
Bob, Islwyn says...
4:24pm Sat 3 May 08
Mervyn James, says...
7:01pm Sat 3 May 08
leigh, says...
7:56pm Sat 3 May 08
Bob wrote:I always believed that an independent was and is indenpendent not a group. If they have backing as peoples voice why didn't they stand as peoples voice?
By whatever means CCBC is run over the next four years, I know one thing for sure - Blackwood residents can only benefit by have 3 Independent councillors who have the backing of Peoples Voice and who will stand up to be counted on their behalf! The 3 Ks are public servants who appreciate the trust placed in them by the voters.
oatley, says...
8:19pm Sun 4 May 08
leigh wrote:The more Independents elected into office the better for the electorate. And the Peoples Voice are like any other that support the Independents, and yes I have faith in all 3 K's to be there for the people of Blackwood. The other parties who stood but wasn't elected were a waste of time, they never listened to the people in the past so why think they would change now.
Bob wrote: By whatever means CCBC is run over the next four years, I know one thing for sure - Blackwood residents can only benefit by have 3 Independent councillors who have the backing of Peoples Voice and who will stand up to be counted on their behalf! The 3 Ks are public servants who appreciate the trust placed in them by the voters.I always believed that an independent was and is indenpendent not a group. If they have backing as peoples voice why didn't they stand as peoples voice? Time will tell if the other 2 ks are any good at representing Blackwood. KE got alot riding on this
louise of this area, says...
12:06pm Mon 5 May 08
oatley wrote:Why do you have every faith, you are obviously one of the independents?? Kevin yes goes without saying a brilliant councillor and well deserves his position. The others will remain to be seen as they have no experience as a councillor yet. I really do hope they will make a difference in Blackwood. Also don't tar every person in every party with the same brush afterall you didn't get elected either or did you?? And before you say anything my votes went to the independents and one other person and I believe in the people that I voted for!!
leigh wrote:The more Independents elected into office the better for the electorate. And the Peoples Voice are like any other that support the Independents, and yes I have faith in all 3 K's to be there for the people of Blackwood. The other parties who stood but wasn't elected were a waste of time, they never listened to the people in the past so why think they would change now.Bob wrote: By whatever means CCBC is run over the next four years, I know one thing for sure - Blackwood residents can only benefit by have 3 Independent councillors who have the backing of Peoples Voice and who will stand up to be counted on their behalf! The 3 Ks are public servants who appreciate the trust placed in them by the voters.I always believed that an independent was and is indenpendent not a group. If they have backing as peoples voice why didn't they stand as peoples voice? Time will tell if the other 2 ks are any good at representing Blackwood. KE got alot riding on this
oatley, says...
3:54pm Mon 5 May 08
louise of this area, says...
7:07pm Mon 5 May 08
oatley wrote:So you didn't get elected as an independent?
LOUISE OF THIS AREA ... No I am not a councillor, and I will tar each and everyone with the same brush other than the Independents. Not one of them from other parties who were voted by the electorate in the past did anything for the people of Blackwood.And I have faith in Keith Smallman who has worked with the public for many years not as a councillor but in another public duty, and from what I have heard of Kay Presley she will be able to assist the people in her role as a councillor.
oatley, says...
7:21pm Mon 5 May 08
louise of this area, says...
7:37pm Mon 5 May 08
oatley wrote:I vote for the person NOT the party.
LOUISE OF THIS AREA... I have never stood for Election.One could point out to you many problems that have occured because of other parties that failed to listen to the electorate, if you were happy with who you voted for in the past why change your opinion now and vote Independent, because your comments contain mixed messages. You mention Asda, Focus, these have not brought wealth or any new business to the High Street, what stores like Asda do is destroy towns like Blackwood.
red army, Newport says...
8:11am Tue 6 May 08
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BOB, NEWPORT says...
2:07pm Sat 3 May 08
You were not elected on the basis of forming a coalition. You have no mandate at all from the electorate to do so.
If you wish to renege on the basis that you were elected then you need to go back to the electorate to see a fresh mandate,
Will you. Hel of course you will not as usual the electorate will be ignored and they will do as they please.
Its little wonder that Politians are held in such low regard.