Why Independent?
I have been an independent throughout my political career. That is not to say that I could not be categorised by some as "leaning" one way or another. Some like to claim that I first ran for Council as a "greenie". To a large extent that is true but as well as my environmental concerns at the time I also had a strong social concern having been a psychiatric nurse and strong unionist for many years. Personally, I would say that I naturally lean to the left - if I were ever to have joined a political party the party of choice would have been the Labor Party.
Why then didn't I join? While there are many good people in the party and their philosophies are in principle appealing, I have often observed what I believe to be a corruption of their own principles in the way they do business. These examples include my observation of the caucus system with Lake Macquarie Council over many years, as well as my observation and first hand experience with some Parliamentarians and Party Officers.
Without wanting to seem too righteous, I just didn't believe that the ALP was for me. I wanted to do and vote for what I believed was right without being dictated to by a caucus decision or because of some other politically expedient or opportunistic plan. No, I would prefer to take personal responsibility for my decisions; and so far, I believe this has worked well for me.
So where do I believe I fit politically? Left leaning, socially progressive, fiscally cautious, pragmatic, swinging voter; and staunchly Independent.
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