March 18, 2019 10.55 am This story is over 60 months old

New Boston political alliance to tackle ‘plaguing’ issues

They say people are “frustrated” by party politics
Boston Borough Council's Municipal buildings.

A new political alliance was formed between two independent groups in Boston with the aim of tackling issues which are “plaguing” the town.

The Bostonian Independent Group (BiG) and the Blue Revolution Party will join forces ahead of the local elections in May.

Councillors in the alliance will remain independent, but will work together to “mount a strong opposition” to the political parties on the borough council.

The two groups agreed to the new direction after a meeting in the town last week.

BiG was formed in February 2018 by former UKIP councillors Anton Dani, Barrie Pierpoint, Brian Rush and Stephen Ball.

Clockwise from left: Councillor Anton Dani, Councillor Stephen Ball, Councillor Brian Rush and Councillor Barrie Pierpoint

Councillor Pierpoint, leader of the BiG, said the group found “common ground” with the Blue Revolution on such things as fly tipping and anti-social behaviour.

“We found a lot of common ground on tackling issues that never seem to get dealt with,” he said.

“We keep reading about those issues and we want to try and do something.”

He added that he felt there was a “frustration” with the traditional party system and that independent councillors offered a different approach.

“People are frustrated with Labour and Conservatives because nothing seems to be happening,” he said.

“We will work with anyone that works for the benefit of the people.”

Meanwhile, Mike Gilbert, spokesperson for the Blue Revolution which was formed in 2017, said the town needed change and that the new alliance will benefit Boston.

“Party politics is undermining our local economy and our community,” he said.

“We need change. We need decent politics for decent people, so that we are able to demand that decisions are made which promote the interests of people and not to preserve the interests of party stability and party self-interest.

“Blue Revolution and BiG promote independent people who want to work for the benefit of Boston.”

The group was formed with the aim of bringing “an end to the party political system”.

BiG was formed after the former UKIP councillors accused the Conservative group on the borough council of being “lacklustre” and lacking ambition.

Since then, the members have stood as independent councillors on the authority.

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