February 16, 2018 4.11 pm This story is over 73 months old

Four councillors form new independent group on Boston Borough Council

Four previous UKIP councillors formed a new group.
Clockwise from left: Councillor Anton Dani, Councillor Stephen Ball, Councillor Brian Rush and Councillor Barrie Pierpoint

Four councillors have formed a new independent group, which they claim will put the people of Boston above party politics.

The Bostonian Independents Group (BiG) consists of councillors Anton Dani, Barrie Pierpoint, Stephen Ball and Mayor of Boston Brian Rush.

All four were elected as UKIP councillors in the 2015 council elections but were unaligned at the time of this announcement.

The move comes in the week that Councillor Rush faced calls from colleagues to resign over alleged offensive and anti-Muslim comments made on Facebook.

Councillor Rush said that he saw no reason to resign and that he was still Mayor of Boston.

However, council leader Michael Cooper has said that councillors could move forward with withdrawing the mayor’s administrative support if he did not step down.

‘It’s now time for change’

The four independents have criticised the Conservative group’s “lacklustre councillors”, accusing them of lacking ambition and putting their party before local people.

They have also set out their own 20-point plan to ensure residents get value for money and have quality services provided by the council.

Councillor Anton Dani, group leader, said: “We embrace all communities and faiths within our group.

“We are here to serve the public of Boston, and we will challenge other councillors, officers, and some of the decisions taken by the Cabinet – which is a closed shop – on behalf of all the residents in Boston if it is not in their best interests.”

“It’s now time for change, transparency and openness – and put Boston back on the map, ensure local communities are confident about their future, and work with local people, groups and partnerships to promote a more positive, vibrant and flourishing Boston.”

Deputy leader Councillor Barrie Pierpoint added: “It’s time for change – new thinking, a new direction, a new beginning, giving Boston the chance of a bright new future.”