Failsworth Independent Party
Failsworth Independent Party | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | FIP |
| Leader | Brian Hobin |
| Founded | 2019 |
| Registered | 2 September 2019 |
| Headquarters | Failsworth |
| Ideology | Localism Non-partisan politics |
| Colors | Blue |
| Oldham Council | 1 / 60 |
| Website | |
| failsworthindependentparty | |
The Failsworth Independent Party (FIP) is a local political party based in Failsworth, Greater Manchester, England.[1] The party was founded in 2019 and has since been elected to Oldham Council.[2]
History
The party is led by pub landlord Brian Hobin.[3] They supported community initiatives to help residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.[4] The party first contested the 2021 election for Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council.[5] In the election the Labour leader of Oldham Council Sean Fielding was unseated by FIP candidate Mark Wilkinson.[6] Despite this the Labour Party regained control of the council.[7] In 2021, charity worker Raja Miah was associated with both the Failsworth Independent Party and Proud of Oldham and Saddleworth.[8][9][10] In 2022, the party was named in a report published by Hope Not Hate.[11] In 2023, the party leadership was reportedly involved in infighting after a selection dispute.[12] Mark Wilkinson stood as independent candidate after not being selected.[13] In 2024, the party lost a seat in Failsworth East to Labour.[14] In 2025, Wilkinson defected to Reform UK.[15] In May 2025, Brian Hobin was nominated as the boroughs first independent deputy mayor.[16] In the 2026 election, the party lost Failsworth East to Reform UK.[17][18]
Policies
The party argued for "cash rebates" to help families in the cost-of-living crisis.[19] In 2022, the party issued a clarification after FIP councillors accidentally "voted the wrong way" on changes to the Clean Air Zone (CAZ).[20]
Councillors
| Name | Ward | Term |
|---|---|---|
| Brian Hobin[21] | Failsworth East | |
| Neil Hindle[22] | Failsworth East | Until 2026 |
Electoral history
| Election | Votes | % votes | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,237 | 5.2 | 3 |
| 2022 | 2,892 | 5.1 | 5 |
| 2023 | 3,096 | 2.1 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1,005 | 1.7 | 2 |
| 2026 | 635 | 0.8 | 1 |
References
- ↑ "View registration - The Electoral Commission". search.electoralcommission.org.uk. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
- ↑ "Biographies for Independent and non-mainstream party candidates in election". The Oldham Times. 2024-04-24. Retrieved 2025-10-06.
- ↑ Fitzpatrick, Kevin (2023-05-02). "Local elections 2023: Oldham faces election uncertainty". BBC News. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
- ↑ Jackson, Nick (2020-06-01). "'We Care' Failsworth helping to provide vital supplies to vulnerable and elderly people in the community". The Oldham Times. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
- ↑ Belmore, Aimee (2021-05-24). "Council boss Fielding is put to sword by new Independent party". Saddleworth Independent. Retrieved 2025-10-06.
- ↑ "Oldham council leader Sean Fielding loses seat". The Oldham Times. 2021-05-07. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
- ↑ "Elections results 2021: Labour holds majority of Greater Manchester councils". BBC News. 2021-05-07. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
- ↑ Herrmann, Joshi (2021-07-04). "Grooming gangs, cartels and the poisoning of Oldham's politics". The Mill. Retrieved 2026-02-17.
- ↑ "Disgraced activist splits from political party it is claimed he founded". Neil Wilby Media. 2021-10-25. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
- ↑ "Disgraced hyper-local party mired in yet more controversy". Neil Wilby Media. 2021-09-15. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
- ↑ "Oldham political groups mentioned in charity's State of HATE report". The Oldham Times. 2022-03-29. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
- ↑ Simpson, Mollie (2023-04-22). "First there were conspiracy theories, then there were social media mobs. What would it take for Labour to win Oldham?". The Mill. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
- ↑ "Biographies for Independent and non-mainstream party candidates in election". The Oldham Times. 2024-04-24. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
- ↑ "Labour narrowly retain control of Oldham Council". BBC News. 2024-05-22. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
- ↑ Fedeczko, Sofia (2025-09-15). "Oldham gets its first Reform UK councillors". The Oldham Times. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
- ↑ Hall, Charlotte (21 May 2025). "Oldham elects first independent deputy mayor - but not everyone is pleased". www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
- ↑ Hall, Charlotte (14 April 2026). "Oldham council local elections 2026 candidates list in full". www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
- ↑ Council, Oldham. "Councillor Andrew Barry Brooks | Failsworth East Ward | Reform UK Party | Oldham Council". www.oldham.gov.uk. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
- ↑ Clyde-Smith, Imogen (2022-09-28). "Council defends £3m cost-of-living package after call for 'cash rebate' instead". The Oldham Times. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
- ↑ Clyde-Smith, Imogen (2022-03-05). "Group's 'clarification' after accidentally voting wrong way over CAZ". The Oldham Times. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
- ↑ "Councillor Brian Hobin". committees.oldham.gov.uk. Retrieved 2025-10-06.
- ↑ "Councillor Neil Hindle". committees.oldham.gov.uk. Retrieved 2025-10-06.