Andy Tree created the Whitehill and Bordon Community Party to “sweep aside national party politics” from the town council and to, instead, “represent the views of local residents”.
And despite not holding office himself, Mr Tree has already converted three of the 13 sitting Whitehill town councillors to the cause.
This, he said, boosts “credibility and momentum”, and gives the party the “ability to challenge and influence town-council decisions from day one”.
But town council leader Mark Davison said party politics was “negated” on the council: “All councillors are currently working well together, regardless of party, for the benefit of the town and residents.”
Mr Tree, a former Liberal Democrat who lost his seat on the council in 2015, outlined the party’s key goals - one of which is to “gain control” of the council.
With former Liberal Democrat councillors Roger Russell, Duncan Sanders and Leeroy Scott on board already, Mr Tree is almost a quarter of the way there.
As well as council domination, the party’s objectives include: “effectively representing the residents of Whitehill and Bordon and the surrounding area”; removing party politics and creating a “strong, effective leadership”. The current political make-up of the town council is 10 Conservative members, three Whitehill and Bordon Community Party members and two casual vacancies.
Mr Tree joined the council in 2012, and was voted leader in 2013, replacing Adam Carew - a decision which saw four fellow Liberal Democrat councillors resign in protest. Mr Tree was leader for two years before the 2015 local and general elections. “I feel compelled and highly motivated to get back involved in local politics because so much is at stake,” Mr Tree said.
He wondered whether deadlines set for certain amenities, such as the new leisure centre, will be met, and criticised the “absurd” state of local transport, highlighting the lack of train provision and “bus cuts”.
“Our party would want to work proactively with East Hampshire District Council,” he added. “But we will robustly challenge any decision or potential issue that could shortchange Whitehill and Bordon. Everyone can see new houses have been built and the relief road is under construction, but the facilities must follow - such as a town centre to be proud of and leisure facilities.
“A key personal objective is to get the people of Whitehill and Bordon engaged in voting and politics.
“It’s such a shame so many people have apathy and don’t vote. Our party will be different and we want to capture the imagination of voters and prove their views can be heard, and more importantly we can fight to action them.”
Mr Russell said: “Andy Tree inspired me to become a town council candidate in 2015 and I look forward to working with him again in our Whitehill and Bordon Community Party. My family have lived in Whitehill and Bordon for three generations and I am Bordon through and through.”
Mr Sanders said: “Joining a fresh, new, local independent party was an easy decision. Like many people I was, and remain, excited but cautious about the regeneration and so when approached to stand as a councillor two years ago, I decided to get involved. My motivation was solely drawn from a desire to help make the transformation of our community as positive as possible and to help guard against any potential for broken promises by the various institutions and companies involved.”
Mr Davison said that all councillors work “hard together with staff members and partner organisations to have services and amenities delivered to our town”.
“I believe that Whitehill Town Council is seen by our partner organisations as a viable and credible organisation with realistic goals and expectations, and as such we are able to help shape the current expansion of the town and gain facilities which developers were under no obligation to provide, such as the new natural play area, a new skatepark, and the development of Bordon and Hogmoor Inclosures into SANGS - all for the benefit of our residents, neighbours, families amenities to be envied by surrounding areas.”
The Conservative welcomed the new party’s efforts: “It may be worthwhile Mr Tree starting an action group, and concentrating his efforts to try to get the bus service that South West Trains used to run between Whitehill and Bordon and Liphook station reinstated.”
He said local candidates were not “saddled with national party politics”:?“Whitehill and Bordon Conservative councillors are free to take whatever stance they see fit for the benefit of the community. In fact it is encouraged so a frank and open discussion can be had for the best possible outcome for our residents.”
He believed in supporting “good, realistic and achievable” ideas, no matter where they come from.
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