Independents for Newark name two more candidates for May local elections

Independents for Newark (IfN) has announced the addition of two more candidates to the May 2023 town and district council elections.

Dr Simon Forde and Rowan Cozens are to stand under the IfN banner.

Dr Simon Forde, owner of a successful academic history press and based in Balderton, is eager to see money flow back into the local area and be used to benefit people's lives.

He said: “We are all being careful with our money today; so too should governments. I am instinctively thrifty, and so I’d act as if every penny spent by the council were my own, our own.”

Dr Forde is also impressed by the level of engagement from his potential constituents and the great ideas he hears on the street. However, one phrase he said he keeps hearing is ‘They’re just not listening.’

He said with his candidature, he hopes to change that.

Rowan Cozens, a passionate supporter of independent businesses and the arts, is the eighth candidate to join the IfN team.

Rowan, who has lived in Newark for over 20 years, is a strong believer in providing young people with creative outlets to counter antisocial behaviour.

If elected, Rowan plans to improve Newark's tourist offerings, including easier access, a fully-functioning tourist information office in the centre, and varied arts and cultural events to suit every purse.

“The general public wants to see that their hard-earned money is being spent responsibly," she said.

"I believe that my policies and plans for the district will ensure that Newark is a captivating destination for tourists and residents alike."

Eight independent candidates under the IfN banner have been announced since the start of January 2023.