I AM NOW A INDEPENDENT COUNCILLOR.

On Monday 19 September, I will be resigning the whip of the British National Party and will sit as an Independent representing the Illingworth and Mixenden ward of the Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale. Recently, a close family member has had a serious illness which has had a huge impact on me and I will no longer have the time to travel the country, speaking and promoting the party at meetings. I have always endeavoured to put the residents in the Illingworth and Mixenden ward  at the top of my priority and I feel that breaking my ties with the British National Party will give me the chance to devote even more time to my ward and continue with the community work that I am held in high regard for. I am assured that this move will have the support of the wider community and I believe that working as an Independent councillor I can re-engage the disillusioned voting public by promoting the cause of local people and local communities first! Too many councillors make decisions they know are not the right choice but do so simply because they have been ordered to by the political parties they happen to represent. I firmly believe local councillors have a duty to put the interests of local residents  before the interests of political parties. As well as being an elected councillor, I work full-time and have two young children.I am currently a school governor (Parent Governor for the last 6 years) and I am a FA qualified coach working with the Crossley Junior football teams in North Halifax. I have worked tirelessly for residents for the last ten years - sadly a lot of the good work has been ignored by a virtual media blackout. However I remain fully committed to continuing my work as a ward councillor and I fully intend to  stand for re-election in next year’s local elections in May, where I hope to increase on the 300 majority I received in May 2008 by ensuring local people and their needs are kept at the top of my priorities. Thankyou to all those people who have helped me over the years and i hope i can still rely on your continued support.  Councillor Tom Bates, Independent Councillor for the Illingworth and Mixenden ward. 34 Beechwood Drive, Holmfield, Halifax HX2 9AS  Tel: 01422 250774  Mob: 07514 347295