Chairman John Lodge Ideology Localism Colours Turquoise | Founded 2014 Political position Centre | |
Headquarters Residents for Uttlesford
3 London Rd, Saffron Walden, CB11 4ED, United Kingdom | ||
The Residents for Uttlesford (R4U) party is a political party in the United Kingdom. The party was launched in 2014, and formed from a number of residents groups in the area. R4U is based in the Uttlesford administrative district in Essex. The party promotes a localist agenda that seeks to give residents, towns and parishes a greater say in the future of their district.
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Local political model and representation
The party’s model is based on that of the successful Loughton Residents Association elsewhere in Essex, i.e. local representation. The Loughton Residents Association won their first election in 1981 and now has representation at all 3 levels of local government (County, District and Town/Parish). Outside of Essex another district that has followed a similar model is Epsom and Ewell in Surrey. Frome residents have adopted a similar model in Somerset with their 'flatpack democracy' approach for parish councils.
Residents for Uttlesford has elected representation at all levels of local government: Essex County Council, Uttlesford District Council, and various Town and Parish Councils. These include councils for both towns in Uttlesford, Saffron Walden and Great Dunmow.
Formation and history
For the 2013 UK local elections, Uttlesford residents stood two of their own candidates on an Independent platform. Both were elected - John Lodge to Essex County Council and Joanna Parry to Uttlesford District Council.
Following this, in 2014 the local residents groups formed their own party, Residents for Uttlesford, so that they could more easily stand a larger number of candidates across their electoral District. A number of existing councillors crossed the aisle to join the new party when it was launched.
2015 local elections
Uttlesford District local elections were in May 2015. Residents for Uttlesford stood 30 candidates to increase its political position. Nine of the party’s candidates were elected to Uttlesford District Council and a number to town and parish councils. As a result of the election, R4U is the Official Opposition at Uttlesford District Council and is the majority party at Saffron Walden Town Council.
2017 Elsenham and Henham by-election
A by-election was held on 16 February 2017 in the Uttlesford District Elsenham and Henham Henham ward following the resignation of the existing two national-party district councillors. Residents for Uttlesford stood candidates for the first time in the ward. Their candidates won by a landslide, gaining 60% of the votes cast.