Still ‘Together for Melksham’? Councillor’s declaration of independence sparks confusion

A TOWN councillor’s announcement that she is now “truly independent” after stepping away from the ‘Together for Melksham’ team, has sparked confusion in the community.

Cllr Louisa Lewis – who was one of nine ‘Together for Melksham’ candidates that stood for election in May, winning eight of the 15 seats up for grabs – has said that as an independent councillor she will be able to operate with “freedom of thought, decision and action”.

“I thought they were all independent anyway?!” said one local resident in response to the news.

And the remaining team of ‘Together for Melksham’ councillors have also reacted to cllr Lewis’ announcement with bemusement, reiterating that they all sit as independent councillors on the town council.

“We are not a political group; we do not have a leader and we do not have any ‘group’ policies,” said the ‘Together for Melksham’ team in a joint statement.

The ‘Together for Melksham’ team promoted themselves as a group of independent candidates, working together at election time to achieve “a fresh start for Melksham” following months of infighting at the Town Hall.

But in the last issue of Melksham News, nearly four months on from the election, cllr Lewis announced that she will be able to “better serve” the community as an independent councillor rather than under the umbrella of ‘Together for Melksham’.

When asked for further clarity about her decision, cllr Lewis told Melksham News, “When standing as an independent for Melksham Town Council, I initially thought that joining a group of like-minded councillors was a sensible way forward so I could ensure the maximum benefit for the people of Melksham.

“Experience so far has refined my understanding of what being an independent councillor means. This has convinced me that my work for the residents of my ward and Melksham town is best served if I can operate with freedom of thought, decision and action. Hence my decision to step back from Together for Melksham and become a truly independent councillor.”

In response to cllr Lewis’s announcement, a joint statement from the Together for Melksham team said in full, “We came together as a collective of independent candidates for the town council who felt that they had some shared aims and objectives. None of us were affiliated to a political party and none of us wanted to be part of any organised political group.

“Throughout the election we were clear, we would sit as independent councillors if elected, but felt that it was time that councillors were working together for the town and that the town council needed a ‘fresh start’.

“Since being elected we have done just that. We are not a political group; we do not have a leader and we do not have any ‘group’ policies. In fact, we have never even had a team meeting since the day after we were all elected!

“Indeed, those observing council meetings will have seen the differing opinions of each of the team and that, when there are contested votes, the Together for Melksham team will often vote in different ways.

“This is something we both welcome and celebrate – councillors acting how they feel is best for the public they serve.

“We were pleased to have Louisa as a part of our team and are sad and surprised that she has taken the action she has, considering all the above, but this will not change how we work with her now or in the future.

“Each of us is committed to working with any councillor on the town council or Wiltshire Council to deliver for our community. For us, the important thing is that all councillors are working to deliver the best we can for the community we serve.”