Lead candidate for the Jury team in Wales Paul Sabanskis explains the independent nature of the party
A new umbrella group for independents is urging the "average Joe" to vote for it in the European elections.
Paul Sabanskis from Cardiff is the lead in a roster of four candidates in Wales backed by the Jury Team, which launched in March.
The group gives independent candidates a platform from which to compete against the main political parties.
It says it is united by its aim to "restore proper democracy" and rid politics of "sleaze".
Mr Sabanskis, 34, born in Lancashire, has worked in Cardiff for the last 13 years, currently as a software developer.
He was not involved in politics before hearing about the group.
He was drawn by the concept of independents coming together, "not blindly following the party line".
Without the group, he said, he could not afford to register an independent campaign.
The Jury Team, which launched its campaign for the European election in London on 20 May, has been supported by the television presenter Esther Rantzen and former Independent MP Martin Bell.
JURY TEAM PROPOSALS
End of the party whips
Transparent pay for MPs and MEPs
An independent politicians' complaints commission
Capping donations to political parties
Term limits for MPs and MEPs
Referendums as requested by 5% of the electorate
Independent publication of government statistics
Source: Jury Team website
Founded by former Conservative donor Sir Paul Judge, it is backing 59 independent candidates across the country in next month's European polls.
'Lack of accountability'
Without a binding manifesto, it distinguishes itself from other parties by the absence of a party whip, which it claims reduces the House of Commons to a "talking shop" that accepts the government's proposals with little scrutiny.
The only things it is committed to are "fair, open and accountable governance", and that its elected representatives vote according to their constituents and not at the direction of a political party.
Mr Sabanski stressed that a vote for him is a vote for the ordinary person.
"People in general don't really understand what the European Parliament does.
"As I don't know much more about it then they do my aim is to open it out and let people know how it affects them."
On expenses Mr Sabanski is clear. He said: "We want them to be independently audited, and made public every year."
An issue he is particularly concerned about is the "perceived corruption in terms of expenses and lack of accountability" in the European Union.
And for the big issues he wants referendums "to vote the way people want".
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