No Party Affiliation
In politics, an independent or nonpartisan politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. There are numerous reasons why someone may stand for office as an independent.
Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties. Sometimes they hold a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do not feel that any major party addresses.
Other independent politicians may be associated with a political party, be former members of it, or have views that align with it, but choose not to stand under its label. Others may belong to or support a political party but believe they should not formally represent it and thus be subject to its policies.
Some independents choose to form an alliance rather than a party and have formally registered their "independents" group.
In some countries (for example, Kuwait) political parties are illegal and all candidates effectively stand as independents.
Finally, some independent candidates may form a political party for the purposes of running for public office.
Read more about No Party Affiliation: Australia, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Malaysia, New Zealand, Niue, Poland, Philippines, Russia, United Kingdom, Yugoslavia, See Also, Notes and References
Famous quotes containing the words party and/or affiliation:
“DORIS: Here’s the two of spades.
DUSTY: The two of spades!
THAT’S THE COFFIN!!
DORIS: THAT’S THE COFFIN?
Oh good heavens what’ll I do?
Just before a party too!”
—T.S. (Thomas Stearns)
“Women will not advance except by joining together in cooperative action.... Unlike other groups, women do not need to set affiliation and strength in opposition one against the other. We can readily integrate the two, search for more and better ways to use affiliation to enhance strength—and strength to enhance affiliation.”
—Jean Baker Miller (20th century)