An independent candidate is someone who runs for election with no party affiliation, and they fund their own campaigns and promote themselves with their own policies and principles.
With the most recent elections having commenced on the 4th of July, we have heard a lot about independent candidates, and they seem to have been significantly more prominent than in any election before. 6 independents have won seats, and this is 6 more than in 2019, one of the major factors and motivations behind many of the independents was their stance on the ongoing war in Gaza, the lack of action of the British government had caused many Brits to be outraged. Whilst Labour had gained a staggering 211 seats from 2019 (412 total) and have won the election, they did so with only slightly more overall voters 35% compared to 32%. Labour lost many of their voters to an unsatisfactory stance and resolution to the war in Gaza, many called for a ceasefire in January, and it had taken months for the Labour leader to echo the same claim. Many now call for the halting of arms sales to Israel which seems to be a grey area for the newly elected Prime Minister, the entire situation has not been handled effectively which has led to the rise of numerous independent candidates who not only propose supposedly “satisfactory” solutions, but they also promise to fight for what the people want.
Despite only 6 elected independents, this could signal their prominence in future elections as people become disenfranchised by mainstream parties. Independent candidates now wield the full power of being a MP but may still find themselves lacking support within Parliament.
The rise in independents and the fall of conservative votes seems to have some sort of correlation, whilst it may not be the conservative voters voting directly for independents but rather Independents splitting the votes for Conservative candidates. The monumental decline of losing 251 seats (121 total) and their fiercest rivals gaining almost all their lost seats. With less confidence in the Conservatives, people looked for alternatives which led to Labour’s overwhelming majority.
Independent or not, many believe those in power must create a Divestment structure moving Britain away from Israel, this should include imposing adequate sanctions and divesting from other Israel and other nations complicit in crimes against humanity, Britain has a poor history with such actions. For instance, sanctions imposed on Russia and its Oligarchs seem to yield no satisfactory results and it seems that such sanctions have been “brushed under the carpet”. Britain tends to welcome money and do business everywhere and with everyone and yet still feigns this moral consciousness and presents itself as a bastion of human rights and goodwill.