People's Democratic Party (United Kingdom)

People's Democratic Party
Founder Lee Robert Holmes
Founded 24 July 2012 (2012-07-24)[1]
Headquarters Newcastle upon Tyne
Ideology Localism
Centrism
Social justice
Populism
Political position Centre
Colours Red and blue
Website
www.pdpgb.org.uk/home.html

The People's Democratic Party of Great Britain (PDP) is a minor centrist/centre-right and secular political party in the United Kingdom. It advocates giving democratic power back to "ordinary people" and away from the traditional larger three political parties of the United Kingdom.[2] It also supports equality of opportunity, meritocracy, aspiration, localism, social justice, free quality state education and the National Health Service.[3]

Founding

The party was founded in July 2012 by Lee Robert Holmes, who was a local candidate for the Conservatives[4] and campaigner against the Iraq War. The party was created in response to what it saw as "career politicians"[5] and a political class that was "out of touch with ordinary people".[6] The major justification for this assertion was given as the budget of 2012, in which George Osborne of the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition government reduced the top rate of income tax and of corporation tax during a period of austerity, a fall in living standards[7] and reduced disposable income.[8]

Policies

Policies are voted upon annually by members.[9] The party has a mix of economically conservative and socially liberal policies, for example advocating the reduction of "red tape" to enterprise, while supporting civil partnerships and maintaining the UK as signatory member of European Convention on Human Rights. The party supports a living wage for working adults. The party wishes to see a reconstituted House of Lords partially appointed by local councils. The party also supports a reduction in the deposit required for parliamentary elections to £250. In foreign policy, the party advocates more practical assistance for fledgling democracies in the Middle East and an increase in ties between the UK and Commonwealth countries.[10] On the question of the European Union, the party supported a binding referendum on membership after the successful completion of membership renegotiation, with a Royal Commission report on the advantages and disadvantages of membership and a six-month public awareness campaign ahead of the referendum.[10] The party believes "Immigration is an issue of resources not race" and aims to stabilise UK population at current levels.[11]

Campaigns

The party runs a Community Advocacy Programme that aims to offer practical campaigning aid to community groups and a service for advocacy to local community groups.

The party supports a reduction in the powers centralised in Westminster and a greater distribution of government departments and resources to other regions, ostensibly to reduce running costs. A greater goal of the party would be a feasibility study regarding the possibility of moving the UK capital from London to the "geographic centre" of the UK.[10]

The party is campaigning to persuade Nexus to reduce costs of shorter journeys on the Tyne & Wear Metro.[12]

Membership

Adults who are UK citizens and not a member of another political party may join without a fee.[13]

Electoral history

Party founder Holmes contested the 2012 Manchester Central by-election, receiving 71 votes and 0.4% of the vote.[5][14][15]

References

  1. ↑ "People's Democratic Party". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
  2. ↑ "Home". Pdpgb.org.uk. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  3. ↑ http://nebula.wsimg.com/9f90f5aacb146f28aed0798a1574efd4?AccessKeyId=E6ABF5EAF8E4BFEECF34&disposition=0&alloworigin=1
  4. ↑ "Local Election Results 2011". Gateshead.gov.uk. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  5. 1 2 Holmes, Lee (12 September 2012). "Voters want politicians who listen to their basic concerns". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  6. ↑ http://nebula.wsimg.com/8b1255ee61652411db5ab7d01f6b06dc?AccessKeyId=E6ABF5EAF8E4BFEECF34&disposition=0&alloworigin=1
  7. ↑ http://www.ifs.org.uk/comms/comm124.pdf
  8. ↑ "Disposable income at nine-year low, ONS figures show". BBC News. 31 July 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  9. ↑ http://nebula.wsimg.com/6689ef7fe5f7716a842d2ff46a4897e1?AccessKeyId=E6ABF5EAF8E4BFEECF34&disposition=0&alloworigin=1
  10. 1 2 3 http://nebula.wsimg.com/2b76fe3f5e3093153b213052aa08c900?AccessKeyId=E6ABF5EAF8E4BFEECF34&disposition=0&alloworigin=1
  11. ↑ "Policies 2013/14". Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  12. ↑ "News/Campaigns". Pdpgb.org.uk. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  13. ↑ "Home". Pdpgb.org.uk. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  14. ↑ "BBC News - Labour's Lucy Powell wins Manchester Central election". Bbc.co.uk. 16 November 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  15. ↑ "Manchester Central By-Election 2012 - election result, election coverage". English Elections. 15 November 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
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