BOURNEMOUTH Independent Alliance, which aims to support Independent candidates standing in council and national elections, has launched its election campaign.

The group started its campaign with a lunch at La Strada in the town centre, attended by David Ross, the Independent Parliamentary candidate for Bournemouth East, and the other two founding members Darren Wimbleton and Geoff Cooper.

Guests included leader of Poole Independents Martyn Caine and other candidates and supporters.

Mr Ross spoke of the need to enable Independent candidates to have access to the same advantages available to the main political parties.

“We can give candidates training, merchandising and marketing back-up and the sort of support normally only on offer from main line parties,” he said.

There are BIA branches in Bournemouth and Poole and plans to gradually expand the alliance to cover all of Dorset by the end of 2015.

Mr Cooper, who will stand in Boscombe West at this May’s Bournemouth Borough Council elections, said: “Independents are already the fourth largest represented group in local government with majorities in Epsom, Frome and Lincoln councils.

“Party politics has no place in local government. Bournemouth is one place among many that can change for the better.”

Last week the Echo reported how Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill planned to host a networking and information event for local Independent candidates. This will be at the Allendale Centre in Wimborne on Friday, February 13, at 7pm.