We knew they wouldn't be able to resist it. Two months after our article featuring some famous names eagerly spying an opportunity to come into Parliament Martin Bell and Terry Waite are now targeting 25 seats with their loose alliance of anti sleaze campaigners.
Martin Bell spelled this out in some detail on the Today programme this morning. The House of Commons is approaching a period of huge flux in the three main parties as up to 200 MPs depart. The changes will be huge as an entire generation of politicians enter Parliament at the same time. And independent politicians are a growing phenomenon at local level, as we're covered here.
If independents can make a breakthrough at national elections level, then they can easily become a new force in Parliament. Unless that is they're simply a loose collective who share nothing but an appeal to the 'none of the above' voters. There remains a problem of identity with independent politicians. What do they stand for, why should I vote for you? And also, do people want new parties or just individuals they trust not to trough once in office? Voters are being offered something to vote against, rather than something to vote for. It's very unclear that is what they really want. Witness the recent Euro election results.
I'll remain sceptical of the ability of independents to force wholesale change at election time. The growth at local level has been far more of a gradual trend.