UK Community Issues Party
| UK Community Issues Party | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Leader | Michael Osman |
| Founded | 1 July 2003[1] |
| Headquarters | PO Box 365, Woking, United Kingdom |
| Website | |
| http://www.ukcommunityissues.org | |
The UK Community Issues Party is a minor political party based in North West Surrey and South West London. The party was first registered in 2003,[1] but counts its history starting October 2004.
Contents |
[edit] Campaign history
The party was originally founded as Health and Community Issues Party,[2] which ran an unsuccessful campaign for the Woking Borough Council at the 2004 election, in which Michael Osman, Shane Osman and Caroline Schwark combined for 218 votes, or 1% of the vote.[3]
Even before the 2004 campaign and the party's official formation, however, future party leader Michael Osman ran as an independent in the 2003 Woking Borough Council election, in the Maybury and Sheerwater ward, losing to incumbent Elizabeth Evans.[4][5]
The party was renamed in October 2004 as it redefined its scope, encompassing the abolition of tuition fees for university students, reinforcing public law and order, and resisting the move to pass a European Constitution.[6]
It participated in the 2005 general election, in which it stood candidates in the constituencies of Woking (Michael Osman, party leader),[7] Spelthorne (Caroline Schwark),[8] and Runnymede and Weybridge (Katrina Osman, party treasurer)[9] Total, the party received 502 votes.
Again in 2007, the party stood in the Woking council elections, garnering 102 votes in two wards.[10]
The party boycotted the 1 May 2008 borough election in Woking, alleging abuses by the local government that have undermined its position.[11] The party had previously joined the Woking Labour Party in contesting the results of 2006 local elections in the Woking ward of Maybury and Sheerwater.[12] The election boycott was also linked to the controversial £1.2 million purchase of a canopy, purchased by Woking Council's Chief Executive, Ray Morgan, without consulting councillors. In the wake of the scandal, the UK Community Issues Party circulated a petition addressed to Prime Minister Gordon Brown, asking him to pressure Morgan to step down.[13]
[edit] Party goals and origins
The party's proclaimed primary goal is to reform public services, specifically to reduce medical mistakes and alleged negligence by the National Health Service.[14] It campaigns for increased democratic control of public services through reducing the number of people involved in senior management, abolishing self-investigation and introducing independent complaints systems.
In line with its concern for quality of care in public health, the party's website has spotlighted instances of what it calls negligence in the National Health Service. The party was founded after party leader Michael Osman suffered severe side-effects after a 1999 hernia operation. As a result of their difficulties working with the National Health Service, Michael and Katrina Osman decided to form a new party to address their concerns.[6][15]
The party also called for a referendum on the proposed European Constitution, for more visible policing, the construction of more affordable housing and for the withdrawal of British troops from Iraq and their replacement by a United Nations peacekeeping force.[15]
[edit] References
- ^ a b The Electoral Commission. "Register of political parties". Accessed 22 September 2008.
- ^ The Electoral Commission. "List of Parties either renamed or deregistered since 2002. Last updated 18 August 2008"
- ^ Teane, Andrew. Local and European Election Results 2004. "Surrey: Woking Borough Council Election 2004"
- ^ getSurrey. 3 April 2003. "Shake up of council as three bow out"
- ^ Ashall, Simon. getSurrey. 5 August 2003. "Council is hung for fifth year"
- ^ a b Kelly, Rob. 21 April 2005. getSurrey "Party taps into apathy and disenchantment".
- ^ The Electoral Commission. "Woking Results". Accessed 22 September 2008.
- ^ The Electoral Commission. "Spelthorne Results". Accessed 22 September 2008.
- ^ The Electoral Commission. "Runnymede and Weybridge Results". Accessed 22 September 2008.
- ^ getSurrey. 11 May 2007. "Tories take over control of council".
- ^ UK Community Issues Party Website. "Letter to Woking Borough Council"
- ^ getSurrey. 15 June 2006. "Dossier sent to DPP of voting fraud ‘evidence’"
- ^ getSurrey. 7 February 2008. "Petition to PM calls for council boss to go"
- ^ UK Community Issues Party. "About us". Accessed 22 September 2008.
- ^ a b "UK Community Issues Party Website"
