Borough council sees dispute over right of groups to use “independent” in name

A mass defection of councillors from the ruling Labour group has led to a dispute at Broxtowe Borough Council over who has the right to the name ‘independent’.

Over the Christmas period, 20 of 26 Labour councillors defected from the party citing dissatisfaction with Sir Keir Starmer’s government, in particular over the scrapping of universal winter fuel payments to pensioners.

The 20 said they would call themselves Broxtowe Independents. This though led to friction with the five-strong Broxtowe Independent Group, who said the former’s use of the name would lead to confusion.

Neither group as yet appears on the Electoral Commission website as a registered party.

Advice to independent groups from the Local Government Association stated: “When considering your registered name, you might want to consider the common theme that draws you together to take that step for registration.”

It added: ”It could also be prudent to have a couple of alternative options just in case there are objections during the registration process or the Electoral Commission declines your preferred name for some reason.”

The group of 20 former Labour councillors are reported locally as running the council through a minority administration led by Milan Radulovic, the former Labour leader who is among the defectors.

There are also 10 Conservative, six Labour, five Broxtowe Independent Group and three Liberal Democrat councillors.

Cllr Radulovic has been contacted for comment.

Mark Smulian