Eight now becomes nine as former March mayor is latest recruit to Fenland independents group

Fenland's newly formed group of independents has yet another new recruit it was announced this evening (Monday).

Former March mayor and current town and district councillor Andrew Pugh, has joined the ranks of those former Conservatives who plan to stand on an independent ticket at the forthcoming local elections on May 2.

Coun Pugh, who was mayor in 2010, will be standing in the March East Ward for both town and district council.

His announcement brings the group's membership to nine with Wisbech taxi driver Dave Patrick standing independently for Kirkgate Ward with a promise to work with them.

The nine are all former Tories and are: Michelle Tanfield, Mike Cornwell, Fred Yeulett, Will Sutton, Nick Meekins, Andy Maul, Peter Freeman, Bob Wicks and Andrew Pugh.

Councillors Sutton, Cornwell, Tanfield and Yeulett cited the unfairness of the way three of the four had failed to be re-selected to stand by the North East Cambridgeshire Conservative Association, as one of the reasons for breaking with the Tories.

All nine of the new group feel confident about challenging the Conservative strangle hold on Fenland and believe they have very similar thoughts on what needs to be done for the area.

The Citizen has tried to contact Coun Pugh for a comment, but he was currently unavailable. Any comment will be added later.

To get details of how you can stand with the independents email energizechange@hotmail.com