Democratic Party (UK, 1998)
| Democratic Party | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Leader | Geoff Southall |
| Founded | 18 November 1998 |
| Headquarters | Enigma House, Grovewood Rd, Malvern, Worcestershire WR14 1GD |
| Ideology | Eurosceptic, Democratic |
| Politics of United Kingdom Political parties Elections |
|
The Democratic Party was a political party in the United Kingdom, founded in November 1998 by Malvern businessman Geoff Southall, who also funded the party.[1][2] It was described as "right wing" or "hard right" in news reports, but claimed to occupy the centre-ground of British politics.[3] It aimed to reduce Britain's involvement with the European Union, opposed the adoption of the Euro,[1] called for direct democracy,[4] and argued for limits on immigration.[5] The slogan was "The will of the people NOT the party". In 1999 it had a few hundred members,[2] including previous supporters of James Goldsmith's Referendum Party.[6]
"If I say not very much, people will say I'm not very credible, and if I say I'm of putting in whatever it takes, I'm accused of buying democracy"
The Earl of Burford stood as its candidate in the November 1999 Kensington and Chelsea by-election against Michael Portillo, receiving 189 votes (0.9%).[2][6] The party decided not to stand any candidates in the 2001 general election, citing a lack of media attention.[8] The party criticised the United Kingdom Independence Party in 2000 for being perceived as right-wing, lacking political acumen, and performing poorly in Westminster elections.[9] In 2003 the party took legal action against the UK government in the High Court over the then proposed EU Constitution.[10]
Until 2001 the home and legal affairs spokesman was Alan Kilshaw, who resigned when he and his then wife became involved in an adoption scandal.[3][5][11]
Other than seeking legal advice, the party has been inactive since at least 2005,[12][13] and received no income in 2008 or 2009.[14][15] According to the Electoral Commission the party was 'de-registered voluntarily' in June 2010.[16]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b "New political party set up to reduce Britain's links with Europe". Associated Press. 18 November 1998. http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=NewsLibrary&p_multi=APAB&d_place=APAB&p_theme=newslibrary2&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0F8B709E63C04628&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
- ^ a b c Peter, Walker (4 November 1999). "Rebel peer challenges Portillo". The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/rebel-peer-challenges-portillo-738485.html. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
- ^ a b "For the good of the party (letter)". Daily Telegraph. 28 January 2001. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/letters/4259032/For-the-good-of-the-party.html. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
- ^ Clark, Michael A.; (Constitutional Spokesman) (24 November 1998). "Rebuilding roots of true democracy (letter)". The Birmingham Post. http://findarticles.com/p/news-articles/birmingham-post-england-the/mi_7996/is_1998_Nov_24/surrender-basics-democracy/ai_n35856609/pg_3/. Retrieved 11 January 2010.[dead link]
- ^ a b Boggan, Steve (18 January 2001). "FBI investigates 'lies' of mother who sold babies". The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/fbi-investigates-lies-of-mother-who-sold-babies-702890.html. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
- ^ a b Watt, Nicholas (5 November 1999). "Leaping lord hits first hurdle in Portillo contest". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/1999/nov/05/uk.politicalnews1. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
- ^ "Quotes of the week". The Independent. 29 November 1998. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4951960.html. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
- ^ "An injection of Ashdown energy". Malvern Gazette. 25 May 2001. http://archive.malverngazette.co.uk/2001/5/25/324857.html. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
- ^ "PRESS RELEASES GENERAL". Democratic Party. 14 January 2000. http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/e01/man/demp/gen_rel.htm. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
- ^ "Letter from Geoff Southall and Michael Clark, The Democratic Party Limited". Select Committee on European Union. Houses of Parliament. 6 November 2007. http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200708/ldselect/ldeucom/62/62weg19.htm. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
- ^ Hastings, Chris; Charlotte Edwardes (21 January 2001). "Internet couple lost £10,000 on earlier baby deal". Daily Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1318764/Internet-couple-lost-10000-on-earlier-baby-deal.html. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
- ^ "Democratic Party Statement of Accounts 2005". Electoral Commission. http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/47072/DemocraticParty_19699-14427__E__N__S__W__.PDF. Retrieved 10 February 2010.[dead link]
- ^ "Democratic Party Statement of Accounts 2007". Electoral Commission. http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/49400/Democratic-Party-Statement-of-Accounts-2007_29168-21639__E__N__S__W__.pdf. Retrieved 10 February 2010.[dead link]
- ^ "Democratic Party Statement of Accounts 2009". Electoral Commission. http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/79890/Democratic-Party-SOA-2009.pdf. Retrieved 10 February 2010.[dead link]
- ^ "Democratic Party Statement of Accounts 2008". Electoral Commission. http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/76431/The-Democratic-Party-SOA-2008.pdf. Retrieved 10 February 2010.[dead link]
- ^ "Electoral Commission – List of Political Parties..... deregistered since 2002". http://registers.electoralcommission.org.uk/files/dms/Renamed-or-Deregistered-Parties_30605-22767__E__N__S__W__.pdf. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
[edit] External links
- Official site (mirrored and an archived copy from 2005 on the Internet Archive).
