Councillor announces change as part of his plan to stand for Parliament

The leader of the largest independent group in the Royal Borough is stepping down from the role – with plans instead to run in the next Parliamentary elections.

Councillor David Buckley is a ward councillor for Datchet, Horton and Wraysbury, having won a seat in the May local elections.

He has confirmed he will be standing in the 2024/25 Parliamentary elections as an independent candidate for Windsor.

“It is and always was my belief that independents are the only hope for residents to get their voices back and stop the regressive culture that party politics inflicts onto our democracy,” Cllr Buckley said.

“The current lack of care, motivation and capability of our current politicians at all levels stops any progression and we must not support party politics either directly or indirectly in my opinion.”

He added that he is ‘extremely proud’ of everyone involved with the Borough first Independents (TBFI), ‘as it achieved so much with so little.’

“I was heartbroken to make this huge decision after dedicating five years of my life to the movement to create a real alternative to party politics that are impacting everyone’s lives at every level,” he said.

The Borough first Independents said in a statement that it is ‘saddened’ Cllr Buckley is stepping down.

“Cllr Buckley’s unwavering dedication and leadership have propelled TBFI to great success, including the recent election where the party won seven seats in the RBWM council chamber,” the group wrote.

“We extend our heartfelt best wishes to David for his future endeavours.”

In his place, Cllr Geoff Hill (Oldfield) is becoming the new TBFI chairman and leader of the party.

He said: “David’s done a great job, he along with a lot of other people have got us where we are today – seven seats in the council chamber is no mean feat.”

The plan now is for Cllr Hill to work on consolidating the position of TBFI, and build a bigger membership, looking for a few more targeted seats for the next election.

Cllr Hill’s first executive meeting is due at the end of November.

In terms of his new responsibilities, he said these would be ‘the normal responsibilities that a chairman or leader has in a political grouping’.

Asked how he will balance his new duties as party leader versus his existing responsibilities as a member of the cabinet, Cllr Hill said:

“I’ve done it all before – I was chairman of Maidenhead Conservative Association from 2015 through to 2018 and I was a cabinet member then, so it’s old ground for me.

“I’m enjoying it, I’m stepping up to the plate and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

In addition, Charles Hollingsworth is to remain the group’s nominating officer; John Webb is the treasurer; and fellow councillor Alison Carpenter (Clewer and Dedworth East) is secretary.

TBFI also appointed Cllr Lynne Jones (OWRA, Old Windsor), Cllr Helen Price (Clewer and Dedworth East), Cllr Helen Taylor (Oldfield), Heidi Berry, Tom Denniford and Matt Newman to its executive committee.