Local Woman, Marianne Overton, Stands for MP
by Patricia Montgomery, LincsMag Writer.
Date: 12 April 2010
Marianne Overton, leader of the Independents at Lincolnshire County Council, will stand as the prospective parliamentary candidate for Sleaford and North Hykeham Constituency at the coming General Election.
Marianne who is standing as a Lincolnshire Independent, has already won seven local elections with landslide results. As a County and District Councillor, she is local, hands-on and works hard for her communities, which shows in her dedication and strong local support.
She constantly campaigns successfully for the communities she represents and is widely known to be highly effective. She now leads the Independent group on Lincolnshire County Council and leads the Lincolnshire Independents countywide.
As Marianne Overton said, “I believe people vote for someone they can trust who genuinely does things for our communities. I like to work with people to make things happen. When it comes to getting a better deal for Lincolnshire, we need someone who lives here and will always put our area first”.
These sentiments are fully endorsed by LincsMag.com, we want someone who knows and understands our area and prepared to listen. We also need someone who is competent and prepared to stick his or her head above the parapet to speak up for us.
As Marianne Overton has also said, “it is time to put a stop to this banker/barrister way of thinking – having highly paid jobs and dropping in to a ‘safe seat’ at the weekend is no way to represent people.”
Marianne lives in Welbourn with her husband Peter and teenage son, Michael. She is known for her commitment to the environment involving volunteers of all ages in Conservation work. She has led County-wide campaigns for:
- better resources for Lincolnshire. (She been instrumental in bringing well over a million into the County through national community grants.)
- better highways maintenance,
- better transport options and reductions in congestion,
- vibrant small businesses
- decent support for children with additional needs and
- genuine efficiencies, including reducing the large PR budget.
Marianne has campaigned against the Conservative proposals
- for a 75% tax increase for policing last year, which cost us dearly,
- against closure of the homes who provide an excellent service getting people out of hospital and back to their own front doors, and
- against the massive sudden increases in home care charges for essential home care.
It is important to remember that Party members are under the whip, which means that they have to vote in support of their party leader, regardless of what they really believe is right. That changes their thinking towards what the party will want. And their thoughts are not with the constituents, whatever they may say.
Only Independents are free to listen to you, to speak and vote with good conscience, every time. It is a different way of thinking, putting people first in a cleaner kind of politics.
Rally Call
As well as LincsMag, many are already rallying behind Marianne Overton in her election bid.
Local businessman, and ex formula 1 racing driver Guy Croft backs Marianne; "Marianne is good for business. She listens, understands and works hard for us. Lincolnshire Business will receive a tremendous boost by having a clear identity with its own Independent MP in the House of Commons – putting Lincolnshire First."
Marianne is backed by a rising tide of Independents from all over Lincolnshire.
Though overwhelming odds odds, Mirianne says, “I firmly believe that despite being up against the millions of pounds behind the London parties, people will want a local MP, with a successful record of putting Lincolnshire First.”
“Many people who support me have deep roots in this county and do not suffer fools gladly; I am grateful for their overwhelming enthusiasm over many years.”
“I have worked hard county-wide. Now I want to put Lincolnshire firmly on the national agenda. Lincolnshire deserves more.”
Terry Waite writes: “This is a unique point in the history of our country. We face complex and demanding issues which require wise and mature leadership – leadership that is not subservient to party dogma, media approval or desire for status and position. The call goes out to the country to find such people who are willing to serve for no other reason than that they desire to see the United Kingdom develop a just and fair society where tradition is respected and Parliament is truly a Parliament of the people.”
Martin Bell, TV presenter and Independent Member of Parliament supports Marianne Overton; “Having had the privilege of practising non-party politics in the House of Commons, I know the value of Independent representation. I wish Marianne every success in the elections.”
Lincolnshire Independents believe we need to think again with a fresh approach to the way we are represented. Lincolnshire Independents offer a county-wide network of support but they throw off the shackles of a party whip.
Marianne’s official launch as a candidate was timed to coincide with the launch of Martin Bell’s new book at the Drill Hall on 16 March 2010.
After 20 years’ service to the community as a District and County Councillor and in many other senior County roles, she is undoubtedly one of the most experienced of all the candidates standing for election.
Marianne lives in the heart of her constituency and feels it is vital to have a local MP.
“No amount of city qualifications or money can compensate for the essential need to know and understand the community you serve. Lincolnshire needs its own MP, who has earned the privilege of representing us with a proven track record of success here in Lincolnshire.”
Editorial Note: Sadly Marianne Overton failed to win the constituency on the 6 May Elections. despite a valiant effort against the political party propaganda machines. She also had to change people’s apathy, which has never changed and continues to leave us with the same failed system and on this election, a Hung Parliament.
