A VOTE for an Independent councillor is a free vote and a free voice, says long-serving Selby councillor Maurice Patrick.

Farmer Mr Patrick, spokesman for the district council's Independent group, was speaking ahead of the local elections on May 1.

He said: "We have never had a manifesto and we won't be issuing one this time.

"There's no place for party politics in local government - I think it ruins it. It is people who matter most, not their political views."

Coun Patrick said it was vital the council got its act together in achieving performance targets - otherwise the authority would be taken over and run by Government civil servants."

Fellow independent Richard Sweeting, of Tadcaster, agreed with Coun Patrick, saying the good of the community had to come before party politics.

Coun Sweeting said: "It's wonderful to see things happening in Tadcaster at long last and I will be calling for more money to be spent on regenerating the town.

"We also need to find a suitable place to house a new skate park. The proposed site at Rosemary Court is in the wrong place."

Roland Chilvers, vice-chairman of Hemingbrough Parish Council, is also standing as an Independent.

He said he would fight to have the 60mph limit through Hemingbrough and Cliffe reduced to 40mph, and for a 20mph limit outside the two village primary schools. He said: "We are a growing village and desperately need some youth facilities. At present, there's nothing for them to do and nowhere for them to go."

Independent councillor John McCartney was unavailable for comment.

Liberal Democratic candidate Roderic Parker (Tadcaster) said his party did not have a manifesto because there was no chance of their taking over the council.

But he said he was speaking on behalf of fellow Lib Dem candidates Bob Hutchinson and Alan Hartley in calling for the district council to be far more accountable to the people who paid their bills.

Mr Parker said: "We are concerned about the council's inefficiency and its poor record in local government league tables.

"We would also seek to improve communication and consultation with residents."

Updated: 10:10 Friday, April 18, 2003