The White Ticket: INSIGHT: The Bell Principles

'The Bell Principles' are the first code of conduct for elected Independent representatives and demand that politicians behave to the highest of standards. Many Independent candidates use The Bell Principles as a guide for professional and political behaviour. They were first formulated by the former independent MP Martin Bell. They are seen as a living document and are edited to reflect the changing world candidates live in.

"We will

-abide wholeheartedly by the spirit and letter of the Seven Principles of Public Life set out by Lord Nolan in 1995: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership

-be guided by considered evidence, our real world experience and expertise, our constituencies and our consciences

-be free from the control of any political party, pressure group or whip

-be non-discriminatory, ethical and committed to pluralism

-make decisions transparently and openly at every stage and level of the political process, enabling people to see how decisions are made and the evidence on which they are based

-listen, consulting our communities constantly and innovatively

-treat political opponents with courtesy and respect, challenging them when
we believe they are wrong, and agreeing with them when we believe they are right

-resist abuses of power and patronage and promote democracy at every level

-work with other elected independents as a Group with a chosen spokesperson

-claim expenses, salaries and compensation openly so the public can judge the value for money of our activities."

About THE WHITE TICKET

The White Ticket believes that the British public deserve greater choice in local and national politics. The Conservative and Labour Parties have passed governance between them for the best part of a century. With the Liberal Democrats in Coalition, the Conservatives - and the Labour government before them - have generated a succession of failures and disappointments for the British public. We could be achieving great things as a nation but instead hand control of our country to the same old political parties, that selfishly use its resources for their own ideological purposes.

Party politics has had plenty of time to prove itself and has not delivered. The three main political parties are often accused of standing for little but their own continuance. They no longer feel that they have to stand by their pledges and promises and are largely indistinguishable on a wide range of issues. This is not the choice and freedom promised by a true democracy. That can only be delivered by a range of independent candidates, representing the full political spectrum. A diverse group, all representing their constituents’ issues, but not bound by the restrictions and corruptive influence of tribal politics. In such an outcome, all have a voice and power is truly shared. Ideas are honestly debated, rather than a specific party and their benefactors’ wishes granted. Although diversity is to be encouraged, The White Ticket does not support Independent candidates and minor parties that endorse racist ideologies.

In this way, The White Ticket is not for any one independent candidate: it is for the replacement of party politics - and its stranglehold on our nation’s present and future – with an increasing number of independent candidates and representatives from minor parties. Power corrupts: absolute power corrupts absolutely. A White political ticket – made up of numerous independents and minor party candidates – stands the best possible chance of a fair and honest future for all in our nation.

INSIGHT: The Bell Principles

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