People's Democratic Party (United Kingdom)

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 were voted upon annually by members.[9] The party had 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 supported a living wage for working adults. The party wished to see a reconstituted House of Lords partially appointed by local councils. The party also supported a reduction in the deposit required for parliamentary elections to £250. In foreign policy, the party advocated 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 believed "Immigration is an issue of resources not race" and aimed to stabilise UK population at current levels.[11]

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

The party supported 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 was a feasibility study regarding the possibility of moving the UK capital from London to the "geographic centre" of the UK.[10]

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

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

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

The party deregistered with the electoral commission in 2017.[16]

• Official website