Tunbridge Wells Alliance

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Tunbridge Wells Alliance
Leader Nicholas Pope
Founded26 February 2018;7 years ago (2018-02-26)
Headquarters Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Ideology Localism
Colours  Light Blue
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
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Website
www.twalliance.org

The Tunbridge Wells Alliance is a local political party based in the Borough of Tunbridge Wells. [1] It currently has four councillors on the opposition of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. [2] [3]

The party does not have a whip. [4] It has been described as "development sceptic". [5]

History

The party was founded in 2018 to oppose the construction of a civic centre, and to "ensure a balance between development and conservation". [6] [7] [8]

The first election contested by the party was the 2018 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, where they elected one councillor: party leader Nicholas Pope. [9]

After the 2022 Borough Council election, the party had nine councillors and joined a coalition administration with the Liberal Democrats and Labour. This brought to an end 24 years of Conservative leadership of the council. [10] [11] [7] [12]

In August 2023, the party's former leader, David Hayward, left to form his own party called "Independents for Tunbridge Wells". He claimed that the Alliance had become "shackled and subservient to the Lib Dems" because of their coalition together. [13]

After the 2024 Borough council election, the party was reduced to four councillors and was no longer part of the administration as the Liberal Democrats now had a majority on the council. [14] [15]

References

  1. ↑ "View registration - The Electoral Commission". search.electoralcommission.org.uk. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  2. ↑ Esson, Daniel (3 May 2024). "Liberal Democrats take control of borough council". Kent Online. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  3. ↑ "Your Councillors". democracy.tunbridgewells.gov.uk. 3 March 2025. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  4. ↑ "Home". The Alliance. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  5. ↑ Butler-Gallie, Fergus (9 May 2023). "It's beginning to feel like 1997 again". New Statesman . Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  6. ↑ "Conservatives tell Tunbridge Wells Alliance they can't have their fairy cake and eat it". Tunbridge Wells Local News | Times Local Newspapers & Magazines. 16 April 2018. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  7. 1 2 "Manifesto". The Alliance. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  8. ↑ Britcher, Chris (13 June 2023). "'No-one says you could put a pig in a blue rosette and it would get elected here anymore'". Kent Online. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  9. ↑ "Election results by party, 3 May 2018". democracy.tunbridgewells.gov.uk. 3 May 2018. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  10. ↑ Ifield, Jordan (6 May 2022). "Tories lose control of two borough councils". Kent Online. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  11. ↑ "Kent election results 2022: Conservatives lose control of Maidstone". BBC News. 6 May 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  12. ↑ "Borough Partnership continues following local elections". Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  13. ↑ Croucher, Lilly (23 August 2023). "Ex-Alliance leader quits party to form new independent group". Tunbridge Wells Local News | Times Local Newspapers & Magazines. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  14. ↑ Walker, Amy; Dale, Bob (3 May 2024). "Tunbridge Wells taken by the Liberal Democrats, Maidstone remains hung". BBC News. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  15. ↑ "Election results by party, 2 May 2024". democracy.tunbridgewells.gov.uk. 2 May 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
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