South Holland Independents

Political party in the United Kingdom

South Holland Independents

Leader| Paul Barnes
Founded| 17 March 2021; 4 years ago (2021-03-17)
Headquarters| Spalding, Lincolnshire
Ideology| Localism
Colours|  Light Blue
Slogan| "People Before Politics"
Lincolnshire County Council|

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South Holland District Council|

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Website
shindependents.com

* Politics of the United Kingdom
* Political parties
* Elections

The South Holland Independents are a British political party based in South Holland District in the county of Lincolnshire, England. The group was formed in 2021 by several independent councillors on South Holland District Council.[1][2]

## History

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In the 2021 Lincolnshire County Council election, the party elected 3 councillors.[3]

In the 2023 South Holland District Council election, the party elected 15 councillors, leaving the Conservative administration with a majority of 1.[4][5] They also managed to unseat the council's leader, Gary Porter.[6]

In November 2023, the party lost a seat to the Conservatives: the result of the vote count had been a tie, so it was decided by drawing lots.[7][8]

The party supported one of their councillors, Mark Le Sage, as an independent candidate in the South Holland and The Deepings constituency in the 2024 general election.[9] He came fourth with 11% of the vote.[10]

In March 2025, five district councillors, including the party's former leader Robert Gibson, left the South Holland Independents to join Reform UK. Three of them also represented the party on the county council, so it was reduced to one seat there. The group of defectors announced their intention to contest the upcoming county council election. One other councillor left; they are now waiting to be ratified by a new party. As a result of these changes of allegiance, Paul Barnes became the party's new leader.[11]

## Principles

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The group seeks to prioritise the needs of local people over national politics. The issues they focus on include tougher action on anti-social behaviour, tackling fly tipping, improving leisure facilities, and expanding green waste collection.[12][13][14]

## References

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1. ^ "View registration - The Electoral Commission". search.electoralcommission.org.uk. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
2. ^ Rush, Richard (24 March 2021). "South Holland Independents group together". The Voice. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
3. ^ Banks, Barnaby. "Elections results 2021". Lincolnshire County Council. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
4. ^ "South Holland result - Local Elections 2023". BBC News. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
5. ^ "District and Parish Council Elections - 4 May 2023". South Holland District Council. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
6. ^ "Local election results 2023: Three Tory leaders toppled in Lincolnshire". BBC News. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
7. ^ "Declaration of Results - Spalding St Paul's Ward". South Holland District Council. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
8. ^ Fear, Victoria (9 November 2023). "Conservative Party retakes Spalding St Paul's ward seat in dramatic tied contest". LincsOnline. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
9. ^ "General Election – 4th July 2024". South Holland Independents. 2 June 2024. Archived from the original on 12 June 2024. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
10. ^ "South Holland and the Deepings - General election results 2024". BBC News. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
11. ^ Rush, Richard (5 March 2025). "Seven councillors change allegiance". The Voice. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
12. ^ "About Us". South Holland Independents. 13 February 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
13. ^ "Independent group leader makes case in bid to win your support". LincsOnline. 5 March 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
14. ^ Turner, James (28 April 2023). "Local Elections 2023: South Holland party leaders' campaign promises". The Lincolnite. Retrieved 5 May 2024.