The True Independents group of Herefordshire councillors aims to increase its current tally of six by standing 15 candidates for election in the county on May 4.

Stressing the group's distinctiveness from the joint-ruling Independents for Herefordshire group,  Group leader Bob Matthews highlighted the candidates’ diversity of experience, with several coming from a business background.

The full list, with current councillors in bold, is:

  • Sebastian Bowen (Bircher)
  • Clare Davies (Bromyard West)
  • Simon Davies (Wormside)
  • Alan Jones (Belmont Rural)
  • Mike Jones (Weobley)
  • Bob Matthews (Credenhill)
  • James Murphy (Kings Acre)
  • Roger Page (Bromyard Bringsty)
  • John Phipps (Holmer)
  • Ivan Powell (Hagley)
  • Tim Price (Bobblestock)
  • Ian Skyrme (College)
  • Alan Watkins (Castle)
  • Colin Williams (Queenswood)
  • Steve Williams (Sutton Walls)

Alan Watkins is aiming to replace Coun Graham Jones of the True Independents, who is not re-standing in Castle ward.

As the True Independents is not a party registered with the Electoral Commission, candidates will appear on ballot papers simply as “Independents”, or without any affiliation.

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Coun Matthews said his group “is willing to work with anyone who is sensible and has the right policies for Herefordshire”, adding: “We are strong believers in getting value for council taxpayers’ money.”

The group’s acting secretary James Murphy said it was “interested in working with other parties policy by policy rather than as a formal coalition”.

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