There’s lots of backing for us in Town Close, but some people that have supported us over the last decade have asked for more on why we quit Labour last November. It was an agonising decision with many factors but we can assure you that our resignations were carefully considered and absolutely necessary. The complexity makes it difficult to relay in a short post or on a leaflet, but we’ll cover the main points here.

Firstly – and absolutely crucially for many people – we know the Tories won’t win in Town Close. There is no conceivable connotation where that could happen and we would not stand an Independent candidate here if there was any chance of that allowing a Conservative candidate to win. Thanks to the Government’s ongoing failures, it is highly likely that the dwindling Tory vote share will collapse further in this ward.

With that certainty we were free to consider all our options.

In a nutshell, we knew we could serve our community significantly better without the Party Whip, while we could no longer maintain our health and integrity by remaining in a local party that has become distantly detached from our core values and is selective in its adherence to democracy.

Meanwhile, we were under intolerable pressure to spend our limited time in other parts of the city – despite the huge need in our community and the extensive community work that we do here. A party focus on relentless electioneering instead of supporting our residents is totally unacceptable.

While we clearly need a new Labour government in Westminster and have confidence in our MP, Clive Lewis, to be a persistent and determined progressive voice within it, many people have told us they are concerned about Labour’s policy U-turns and populist stance on benefits, immigration, and Brexit, along with their failure to support a ceasefire in Gaza. Then there was the astonishing Norwich Labour policy to relieve Weston Homes (the wealthy Anglia Square developer that later pulled out) of its obligation to pay millions in local taxes to Norwich City Council and Labour’s doubling down on the policy that was forced through against our will.

We simply couldn’t stand on that kind of platform and ask for your vote.

So your four Town Close Councillors and a whole swathe of Labour Members did what we believe is right by resigning our memberships to concentrate on Town Close – and we have no regrets. In fact, as Independents, we’ve achieved far more than we thought possible already!

There is no chance of the Conservatives winning in Town Close so the time to send a message to the Tories is at the General Election later this year. Norwich City Council is already proudly a Tory-free zone. These are local elections and Ian is the only candidate who will be free of external constraints and able to focus wholly on our community.

Residents tell us that you value the work we do for Town Close. The only way that we can continue that is if you vote for us. Ian is the only candidate in this local election who knows this community inside out, is embedded within it and can commit to continuing to be a visible presence seven days a week.

This election is an opportunity for the community to come together and back us to work for you, your family and our community.

Please re-elect Ian Stutely for a fourth term on Norwich City Council.