One Veritas Draft Constitution
There is much discussion at present about the lack of a constitution for the party and what procedures should prevail in view of its absence.
The following is a late version of a constitution dated 12th January 2005, which had the approval and was to be called by the name of a particularly influential party member. I hope therefore that those in charge of moving the party forward might deeply ponder on the importance of the ordinary members and their intended right of control through the ANNUAL PARTY CONFERENCE and ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING and the requirements regarding the ELECTION of officials!
Perhaps this document will provide a useful guide for those now genuinely seeking to find the best way though the critical situation that now confronts the party from a constitutional viewpoint.
Quote
1 NAME OF PARTY
1.1 The name of the party shall be VERITAS, hereafter referred to as ‘the Party’.
2 AIMS OF PARTY
2.1 We want the United Kingdom to trade and have good relations with our friends and neighbours in Europe, as indeed with the rest of the world, but we do not want to be governed from Brussels.
2.2 We want to be a free, independent, sovereign country that is governed by our people in its own Parliament in Westminster.
2.3 Unlike the old discredited parties, we shall not lie or engage in deceit, evasions or spin for
political ends. We shall only ever tell the truth, however unpalatable.
2.4 VERITAS is the straight-talking political party.
2.5 We will create:
(a) A country that is innovative, entrepreneurial and outward-looking
(b) A county that is based on the concepts of justice and fairness
(c) A country where our traditional democratic freedoms and values are cherished and protected
(d) A country where individuals are encouraged and helped to take responsibility for their own lives - but which is compassionate towards those in genuine need and protects the weak and vulnerable
(e) A country where everyone is equal under the law and no-one is discriminated against on the basis of race, colour, creed, sex or age.
2.6 VERITAS will openly and fearlessly speak up for Britain and the British way of life and in everything it does - every policy, every political initiative, every decision - be guided only by
what is in the interests of the British people.
2.7 The Party will promote a full range of long-term foreign and domestic policies.
3 ACTIVITIES OF PARTY
3.1 In furtherance of these aims, the Party may take part in all democratic electoral processes, including contesting General Elections, Parliamentary by-elections, local elections, and elections to the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh and Northern Ireland Assemblies..
3.2 Although the Party seeks to regain the independence of the United Kingdom from all the institutions of the European Union, it may, until that aim is achieved, contest elections to the European Parliament. If the Party wins seats in the European Parliament, it will take up the seats it has won.
3.3 The Party may work together with any other democratic parties and organisations for particular purposes consistent with its aims.
3.4 In the furtherance of its aims, the Party may
i) raise funds and invite and receive contributions from any person or persons whatsoever by way of loan, subscription, donation or otherwise, within the limits
established by electoral law;
ii) publish, with or without charge, any items it sees fit;
iii) employ and pay people to supervise, organise and carry out the Party’s aims;
iv) purchase, lease or rent property necessary to carry out the Party’s aims and make arrangements for the management of any property acquired;
v) invest any monies of the Party not immediately required, in accordance with the Trustee Act of 1925; and
vi) do all such other lawful things as are necessary for the attainment of its ends.
4 MEMBERSHIP
4.1 Membership will be open to those entitled to UK citizenship, whether living in this country or abroad, and resident foreign nationals, who share its aims and sign the appropriate declarations on its membership application form.
4.2 Members are those who are 16 years old or over, maintain their subscriptions and agree with the aims of the Party.
4.3 Members will accept the Party’s constitution and rules and maintain its reputation.
4.4 Associate membership of the Party, who will be entitled to all the benefits of membership except voting rights, is open to supporters not entitled to full membership.
4.5 Members and associate members may not belong to another political Party.
4.6 The Party shall have the unfettered right to refuse any application for membership without having to state a reason.
4.7 Full members shall receive a membership card and the Party’s newsletter. They shall be
entitled to vote in national Party elections and in the election of Branch officers and the
selection of candidates to contest Parliamentary and local government elections.
4.8 Members shall at all times maintain the good name and reputation of the Party and avoid
bringing the Party into disrepute.
5 BRANCHES
5.1 The Party shall seek to establish a Branch in every UK Parliamentary constituency.
5.2 Branches will affiliate to the national Party by resolution at their first meeting.
5.3 At its first meeting, the Branch shall resolve to register as an ‘Accounting Unit’ with the
Electoral Commission and shall do so in due course by submitting the appropriate
forms to the Commission. The Branch Treasurer will be responsible for ensuring that the Branch meets the accounting requirements of the Electoral Commission and presenting annual accounts to the Brach AGM.
5.4 Where Branches are established, these may cover one or more Parliamentary Constit-uencies.
5.5 The Branch will administer its own financial and other affairs, including the election of local officers and the selection of candidates for UK Parliamentary and local government elections.
5.6 These functions will be conducted in accordance with procedures set down in a Party Rule Book as amended from time to time by the National Council.
5.7 The National Council shall approve newBranches where they appear to the National Council to be viable.
5.8 The National Council shall rule on which constituencies should be covered by any one
Branch.
5.9 In the case of Parliamentary constituencies not covered by a Branch, the Party Secretary shall administer the Party in that constituency, until such time as a Branch is established.
5.10 The Party shall in due course establish Regional Committees for each region of the UK and shall appoint a Regional Organiser who will be responsible to the National Council.
6 THE ANNUAL PARTY CONFERENCE AND ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING
6.1 The Party shall hold an Annual Party Conf-erence at a place and time decided by the National Council.
6.2 Matters of Party business will be decided at an Annual Business Meeting, to be held during the Annual Party Conference. The Annual Business Meeting will be open only to paid-up Party members. Its business will be to receive and debate reports from the national officers and to debate policy resolutions submitted either by local Branches or by the National Council.
Entitlement to vote at Annual Business Meeting
6.3 Those entitled to vote at the Annual Business Meeting shall be up to three representatives chosen by each Branch and all members of the National Council including the Party Leader and co-opted members. To qualify, the Branch must be a Branch that is registered with the Electoral Commission.
6.4 All prospective Parliamentary candidates, if not already one of the three Branchn representatives, shall also have the right to vote at the Annual Business Meeting.
Procedures for the Annual Business Meeting
6.5 The National Council shall publish in the agenda for the Annual Business Meeting
details of all resolutions submitted for debate and the name of the Branch which put forward
the resolution.
6.6 All resolutions at the Annual Business Meeting may be passed by a simple majority of those
voting. Procedures for submitting resolutions at the Annual Business Meeting shall be decided
by the Conference Arrangements Committee, subject to approval by the National Council.
6.6 Resolutions carried at the Annual Business Meeting by a 60% majority of those voting (and not abstaining) become Party policy. Those carried only by a simple majority of those voting (and not abstaining) will have only advisory force.
7 THE NATIONAL COUNCIL
7.1 The National Council is the Party’s management committee, entrusted with the duty of
ensuring that it functions smoothly. It is responsible for the Party’s funds, structure, and
publicity and, together with the membership and the Party Leader, its political strategy. It is answerable to the Annual Party Conference and Annual Business Meeting and is charged with carrying out Conference decisions and considering Branch resolutions passed during the year.
7.2 The National Council may accept affiliation from other organisations. Such affiliated bodies
will not enjoy voting rights.
7.3 The National Council may institute a postal ballot of Party members on amendments to the
Party Constitution, provided that a resolution to do so is approved by a two-thirds majority of
National Council members present and voting.
Appointment of Party Treasurer and Party Secretary
7.4 The National Council shall appoint a Party Treasurer, who may be a serving member of the National Council, but need not be, in which case the Treasurer shall become an ex-officio member but without the right to vote. The Treasurer must be a Party member
7.4 The National Council shall appoint a Party Secretary from amongst its own number.
Conference Arrangements Committee
7.5 The National Council shall establish a sub-committee known as the Conference
Arrangements Committee to ensure that the Annual Party Conference and Annual Business
Meeting run smoothly and that resolutions from Branches are given consideration.
7.6 Branches may, at any time during the year, submit resolutions regarding the policy or
running of the Party or any other matter related to the Party.
7.7 The local Branch Secretary shall forward the any resolution, giving particulars of the numbers of members voting for or against that resolution to the Party Secretary.
7.8 The Party Secretary will notify the National Council of all resolutions from Branches
received since their last meeting. It shall be a standing item on each National Council agenda
to receive notice of Branch resolutions.
7.9 During the period beginning three month before and ending two weeks before the Annual Party Conference and Annual Business Meeting, Branches may submit resolutions on any Party matter for debate at the Annual Business Meeting.
7.10 Resolutions submitted after that date may be considered for debate at the discretion of the Conference Arrangements Committee.
7.11 The Conference Arrangements Committee will have power to decide what Branch resolutions shall be debated and in what order.
7.12 The Nation Council will also be able to move its own resolutions at the Annual Business
Meeting.
Establishment of sub-committees
7.13 The National Council shall establish other temporary and standing sub-committees for the administration of the Party and the development of policy.
Membership of the National Council
7.14 The National Council shall initially comprise twelve elected members, the Party Leader, and up to 5 co-opted members (see Paragraphs 7.26 and 7.27 below).
7.15 The National Council will have power to vary the number of members who comprise the
National Council.
Elections to the National Council
7.16 Members of the National Council shall be elected annually. They shall be eligible for re-election at the completion of their year of service. Eligibility to stand for election to, and to serve on, the National Council shall be determined by the National Council.
7.17 Elections to the National Council shall be on a regional basis. Members of each of the 12
regions of the U.K. shall initially elect one member to the National Council.
7.18 The National Council may vary how many members each region elects to the National
Council, to cater for regions with relatively low membership which may not justify separate
representation on the national Council and for regions with a relatively high membership which
may justify extra representation on the national Council.
7.19 There shall be an election for the National Council each year, in each region of the UK, on
dates to be decided by the National Council, but no later than 31 March each year.
7.20 The National Council shall announce the date, together with the number of vacancies to be filled for each region, and the latest date for the receipt of nominations, at least eight weeks
before the date of the election, in the Party newsletter.
7.21 The election shall be by postal ballot of all paid- up members in each region.
7.22 The election shall take place on the basis of the first-past-the-post system. Each eligible Party member may cast a number of votes up to, but not exceeding, the number of vacancies. All votes shall be of equal value.
7.23 The resignation of a member of the National Council shall be evidenced in writing by the
member resigning or, if given verbally, shall be minuted after verification.
7.24 Should a vacancy occur between elections, the National Council shall in the first instance
invite the highest-placed unsuccessful candidate for the National Council in the region concerned to join the Committee, and so on until the vacancy is filled. Members joining the National Council in this way shall have the same rights as elected members and shall be eligible to stand for election at the next National Council election.
Co-opted Members
7.25 The National Council shall have the right during any one year to co-opt up to three
additional Party members who shall have full voting rights on the National Council.
7.26 The Party Leader shall have the right during any one year to co-opt two Party members who shall also have full voting rights on the National Council
Meetings of the National Council
7.27 The National Council shall meet at least six times a year. These meetings may take place by video-conferencing. Meetings may be chaired by the Leader or Deputy Leader of the Party at his/her discretion or by the Party Chairman or a Vice-Chairman, or, in the absence of all four, by an National Council member appointed by the National Council for that meeting only.
7.28 Eight members of the committee constitute a quorum, except as provided below.
7.29 Any five or more members of the NationalCouncil may requisition an emergency meeting
of the National Council by calling on the Party Secretary to summon one as soon as
practicable. They must state the business to be discussed and any related resolutions to be
put. The agenda for the emergency meeting shall comprise this business and matters
arising and no other.
7.30 A decision to suspend a member of the National Council from the Council may only be
made by a resolution to that effect carried by a two-thirds majority of National Council
members present. A minimum of seven National Council members must vote for
the suspension.
7.31 In the event of a motion of no confidence in the National Council being carried at an Annual
Business Meeting, new elections to the National Council will be held as soon as practicable, the
outgoing National Council remaining in office until their successors are elected.
Policy Committee and other sub-committees
7.32 The National Council shall establish as one of its sub-committees a Policy Committee, which
will meet at least once every two months, and will invite all Party spokesmen appointed by the
Party Leader to its meetings. The purpose of the Policy Committee is to keep under active
review the policies of the Party on all foreign and domestic issues, and to recommend
changes to Party policy, and to draft the Party Manifesto.
7.33 The National Council may authorise the establishment of other groups of Party
members to further the aims of the Party.
Emergency suspension of rules of the Constitution
7.34 Notwithstanding the provisions of this Constitution, the National Council may, by a two-thirds majority and with at least seven members voting in favour, temporarily suspend
the operation of any of its rules in cases of genuine and serious emergency only, including
cases where the smooth and effective running of the Party would be seriously hindered unless
the operation of a rule is temporarily changed.
In any such case, the decision to suspend the operation of any rule and the reasons for doing
so must be published by the National Council to all members as soon as practicable.
Decisions on Discipline and Disputes
7.35 The National Council shall consider reports from the Discipline and Disputes Committee
established under Paragraph 8.1 (below) and shall then decide what disciplinary action to
take, if any, and how to resolve any dispute that the Discipline and Disputes Committee has
been unable to resolve. The National Council, in its discretion, may allow a member to attend in
person and present his/her case but not to be represented. The decision of the National
Council on any matter of discipline or dispute shall be final.
8 DISCIPLINE AND DISPUTES COMMITTEE
8.1 The National Council shall establish a sub-Committee, made up of elected Branch officials,
to consider disputes and issues of discipline and will publicise its procedures, which may be varied from time to time by the National Council.
8.2 In the case of disciplinary matters, the sub-committee shall operate on the basis of fair
procedures and natural justice, including informing any member referred to it of the
nature and substance of the allegations against him/her, giving the member due opportunity to
respond, and the right to appear in person and be represented before the Committee.
8.3 The Discipline and Disputes Committee may in an exceptional case suspend the Party
member under investigation.
8.4 The National Council alone shall decide anydisciplinary penalty.
9 THE PARTY LEADER
9.1 The Party, through its Annual Party Conference, Annual Business Meeting, Policy Committee and Party spokesmen will give political, strategic and policy direction to the Party.
9.2 The Party Leader will provide overall direction to the Party’s strategy and policies and is
responsible for the effective execution of the agreed strategy and policies.
9.3 The Party Leader shall be an ex-officio member of the National Council enjoying full voting
rights and shall be ex-officio a member of all sub-committees and working groups set up by
the National Council.
9.4 The Party Leader shall appoint a Deputy Leader of his/her choosing, who shall be a Party member, to render assistance and act in his place in his absence.
9.5 The Party Leader shall, subject to the approval of the National Council, appoint a Party
Chairman to be in day-to-day control of the Party organisation
9.6 The Party Leader may make such other appointments, in fields such as media relations
and policy formulation, as he thinks fit.
9.7 The Party Leader shall, in close consultation with the National Council, the Party’s
Policy Committee and Party spokesmen, approve the Party’s Manifesto and national
statements of the Party’s policies.
9.8 The Party Leader shall appoint Party spokesmen on all aspects of domestic and
foreign policy. These spokesmen shall, where practicable, attend all meetings of the Party’s
Policy Committee. The spokesmen will be responsible for developing Party policy in their
field of responsibility and for maintaining regular contact with the media in order to
ensure that the Party’s policies are communicated to the public.
Elections for Party Leader
9.9 The Party Leader shall be elected by a postal ballot of all paid-up members of the Party.
9.10 A leadership election shall be called in the event of any of the following:
(a) the Party Leader’s death,
(b) the Party Leader’s incapacity for more than a temporary period
(c) the Party Leader’s resignation
(d) on the passing of a vote of no confidence in the Party Leader by the Annual Business Meeting
(e) 10% or more of Party members submitting a petition to the Party Secretary nominating an alternative candidate for Leader.
Those names must have been obtained during an annual ‘window’, which shall run from three months to two weeks before the date of the Annual Party Conference and Annual Business Meeting. The Party Secretary will check that those signing the petition are paid-up members.
9.11 A Party Leader wishing to resign must Communicate this decision in writing to the
Party Secretary, who must then summon an emergency meeting of the National Council
9.12 Nominations for the post of Party Leader shall require the signature of a proposer and 20
assentors, all paid-up members of the Party, drawn from at least four Branches. They must
be submitted in writing to the Party Secretary within the time specified by him.
9.14 If there is only one valid nomination for the post of Party Leader, the candidate nominated shall be elected without the need for a ballot, but ratification by a simple majority of members
voting at the next Annual Party Conference and Annual Business Meeting will be required.
9.15 If there are only two candidates for the post of Party Leader, the one receiving more than 50% of the valid votes cast will be elected.
9.16 If there are three or more candidates for the post of Party leader, the election shall be by the single transferable vote system, as defined by the Electoral Reform Society. Those eligible to
vote shall be paid up members 14 days before the last date for the receipt of ballot papers.
9.17 When a vacancy for the leadership occurs, the election procedure laid down by the National Council shall be implemented by the Party Secretary. Until that process is completed, the Deputy Leader will serve as acting Party Leader.
10 THE PARTY TREASURER
10.1 A Party Treasurer will be appointed by the National Council from among Party members.
10.2 His/her term of office will be annual. S/he will be an ex-officio member of the National
Council if not already a member of it. The Party Treasurer does not hold voting rights on the
National Council by virtue of his or her office.
10.3 The Treasurer shall be responsible for:
a) managing the Party’s finances
b) preparing annual accounts and for presenting them to the Annual Party Conference and Annual Business Meeting of Party members
c) ensuring that the Party complies with the financial requirements of the Electoral Commission, including filing prompt returns relating to all the Party’s
Accounting Units.
d) chairing the Finance Committee.
11 THE PARTY SECRETARY
11.1 The Party Secretary’s term of office will be one year.
11.2 The Party Secretary will be chosen by the National Council from amongst its members.
11.3 The Party Secretary is responsible for:
(a) ensuring that the administrative and other arrangements of the Party comply with all legal
requirements;
(b) maintaining an up-to-date record of Party members for national Party purposes;
(c) for the administration of leadership elections and elections to the National Council (except
when he or she is a candidate, when the National Council shall nominate another of its
members to carry out this task); and
(d) the organisation of the Party Conference, in conjunction with the Conference Arrangements Committee.
11.4 The Party Secretary will chair the Committee on Standing Orders and will sit on the Conference Arrangements Committee.
12 THE DEPUTY LEADER
12.1 [repeats Paragraph 9.4] The Party Leader will appoint a Deputy of his/her choosing, who will be a Party member, to render assistance and act in his place in his absence.
13 THE PARTY CHAIRMAN
13.1 The Party Leader will appoint a Party Chairman, subject to the approval of the National Council, from amongst paid-up members of the Party. The Chairman will be an ex-officio member of the National Council, if not already an ordinary member of it.
13.2 The Party Chairman shall chair meetings of the Annual Party Conference and Annual Business Meeting.
13.3 The Party Chairman will be responsible for ensuring that there are active and properly
constituted Branches of the Party throughout the country, financially able to support a
Parliamentary election campaign.
13.4 To that end, the Party Chairman may make such subsidiary administrative appointments as s/he sees fit and may suggest to the National Council the creation of paid administrative posts.
13.5 The Party Chairman shall report regularly to the National Council on Branch activity, as
appropriate.
14 SEPARATION OF OFFICE
14.1 The offices of Party Leader, Deputy Leader, Treasurer, Party Secretary and Party Chairman may only be held singly.
15 APPOINTMENT OF PARTY PRESIDENT AND PARTY VICE-PRESIDENTS
15.1 The Party Leader may in his sole discretion appoint a President of the Party and any
number of Vice-Presidents.
16 STANDING AND TEMPORARY COMMITTEES
16.1 The standing committees set up by the National Council shall include a Finance Committee, a Committee on Standing Orders, a Policy Committee and a Conference Steering Committee.
16.2 The Finance Committee shall be chaired by the Party Treasurer. Its responsibility will be to oversee the management of the Party’s finances and to appoint auditors.
16.3 The Committee on Standing Orders shall be chaired by the Party Secretary and will be responsible for maintaining and updating the Party Rule Book and for reviewing proposals for amendments to the Party Constitution.
16.4 The Conference Arrangements Committee will have the responsibility to make recommendations on all matters relating to the agenda of the Annual Party Conference and Annual Business Meeting, including making recommendations on procedures for handling resolutions for debate.
17 THE PARTY RULE BOOK
17.1 The National Council shall establish a Party Rule Book which will detail the rules governing the establishment and maintenance of Branches; membership of standing and temporary committees; submission of resolutions for debate at the Annual Party Conference and Annual Business Meeting, the conduct of these meetings, the calling and conduct of elections for Party Leaders and the National Council, disciplinary procedures (in conjunction with the Discipline and Disputes Committee) and all other rules and procedures forming part of the formal management and administration of the Party.
18 18 PARLIAMENTARY AND LOCAL
CANDIDATES
18.1 The Party shall establish a list of approved Parliamentary candidates, by means of interviewing potential candidates. Potential candidates shall make a written application and shall make full disclosure of any fact, political or personal, that may have a bearing on their suitability for selection as a candidate.
18.2 Potential candidates will be interviewed by at least two people drawn from the following
categories: members of the National Council, appointed national officers, and Chairmen and
elected officials of local Branches.
18.3 A national Candidate Selection Officer may be appointed to oversee the candidate selection
process and make recommendations on candidate selection for the final approval of the
National Council and the Party Leader.
18.4 All Parliamentary candidates, including for Parliamentary by-elections, must be paid-up
members of the Party and on the Party’s list of approved candidates.
18.5 The selection, from the list of approved Candidates, of a prospective Parliamentary
candidate to contest a constituency in a General Election or Parliamentary by-election,
Is the prerogative of the Branch concerned, subject to the discretion, in exceptional
circumstances, of the National Council or the Party Leader.
18.6 Local Branches shall draw up a short list of potential Parliamentary candidates and shall
call a meeting of all Branch members, on at least 21 days’ notice, to hear each short-listed
candidate speak and answer members’ questions. Branch members shall decide by
secret ballot whom they wish to be their prospective Parliamentary candidate.
Additional procedures for selecting Parliamentary candidates may be contained in
The Party Rule Book.
18.7 The selection of candidates for local government elections is the responsibility of
Branches, who may take decisions either by the Committee or by a first-past-the-post vote of all
Branch’s members.
18.8 The method of selecting candidates for any election requiring a Party list shall be decided
by the National Council.
19 THE CONSTITUTION: APPROVAL AND AMENDMENT
19.1 This Constitution shall come into force immediately following its approval by a simple majority of Party members.
19.2 Amendments to the Constitution may be made only by a two-thirds majority of paid-up
members voting in a postal ballot. Such ballots shall be held when a Constitutional amendment
is proposed either by the National Council, after its approval by a two-thirds majority of National
Council members voting, or proposed by 20 or more Branches, communicated in writing to the
Party Secretary.
19.3 [repeats Para 7.34] Notwithstanding the provisions of this Constitution, the National
Council may, by a two-thirds majority and with at least seven members voting in favour,
temporarily suspend the operation of any of its rules in cases of genuine and serious
emergency only, including cases where the smooth and effective running of the Party would
be seriously hindered unless the operation of a rule is temporarily changed. In any such
case, the decision to suspend the operation of any rule, and the reasons for doing so, must be
published by the National Council to all members as soon as practicable
This Constitution was adopted following approval by a majority of members on (date )
The following is a late version of a constitution dated 12th January 2005, which had the approval and was to be called by the name of a particularly influential party member. I hope therefore that those in charge of moving the party forward might deeply ponder on the importance of the ordinary members and their intended right of control through the ANNUAL PARTY CONFERENCE and ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING and the requirements regarding the ELECTION of officials!
Perhaps this document will provide a useful guide for those now genuinely seeking to find the best way though the critical situation that now confronts the party from a constitutional viewpoint.
Quote
1 NAME OF PARTY
1.1 The name of the party shall be VERITAS, hereafter referred to as ‘the Party’.
2 AIMS OF PARTY
2.1 We want the United Kingdom to trade and have good relations with our friends and neighbours in Europe, as indeed with the rest of the world, but we do not want to be governed from Brussels.
2.2 We want to be a free, independent, sovereign country that is governed by our people in its own Parliament in Westminster.
2.3 Unlike the old discredited parties, we shall not lie or engage in deceit, evasions or spin for
political ends. We shall only ever tell the truth, however unpalatable.
2.4 VERITAS is the straight-talking political party.
2.5 We will create:
(a) A country that is innovative, entrepreneurial and outward-looking
(b) A county that is based on the concepts of justice and fairness
(c) A country where our traditional democratic freedoms and values are cherished and protected
(d) A country where individuals are encouraged and helped to take responsibility for their own lives - but which is compassionate towards those in genuine need and protects the weak and vulnerable
(e) A country where everyone is equal under the law and no-one is discriminated against on the basis of race, colour, creed, sex or age.
2.6 VERITAS will openly and fearlessly speak up for Britain and the British way of life and in everything it does - every policy, every political initiative, every decision - be guided only by
what is in the interests of the British people.
2.7 The Party will promote a full range of long-term foreign and domestic policies.
3 ACTIVITIES OF PARTY
3.1 In furtherance of these aims, the Party may take part in all democratic electoral processes, including contesting General Elections, Parliamentary by-elections, local elections, and elections to the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh and Northern Ireland Assemblies..
3.2 Although the Party seeks to regain the independence of the United Kingdom from all the institutions of the European Union, it may, until that aim is achieved, contest elections to the European Parliament. If the Party wins seats in the European Parliament, it will take up the seats it has won.
3.3 The Party may work together with any other democratic parties and organisations for particular purposes consistent with its aims.
3.4 In the furtherance of its aims, the Party may
i) raise funds and invite and receive contributions from any person or persons whatsoever by way of loan, subscription, donation or otherwise, within the limits
established by electoral law;
ii) publish, with or without charge, any items it sees fit;
iii) employ and pay people to supervise, organise and carry out the Party’s aims;
iv) purchase, lease or rent property necessary to carry out the Party’s aims and make arrangements for the management of any property acquired;
v) invest any monies of the Party not immediately required, in accordance with the Trustee Act of 1925; and
vi) do all such other lawful things as are necessary for the attainment of its ends.
4 MEMBERSHIP
4.1 Membership will be open to those entitled to UK citizenship, whether living in this country or abroad, and resident foreign nationals, who share its aims and sign the appropriate declarations on its membership application form.
4.2 Members are those who are 16 years old or over, maintain their subscriptions and agree with the aims of the Party.
4.3 Members will accept the Party’s constitution and rules and maintain its reputation.
4.4 Associate membership of the Party, who will be entitled to all the benefits of membership except voting rights, is open to supporters not entitled to full membership.
4.5 Members and associate members may not belong to another political Party.
4.6 The Party shall have the unfettered right to refuse any application for membership without having to state a reason.
4.7 Full members shall receive a membership card and the Party’s newsletter. They shall be
entitled to vote in national Party elections and in the election of Branch officers and the
selection of candidates to contest Parliamentary and local government elections.
4.8 Members shall at all times maintain the good name and reputation of the Party and avoid
bringing the Party into disrepute.
5 BRANCHES
5.1 The Party shall seek to establish a Branch in every UK Parliamentary constituency.
5.2 Branches will affiliate to the national Party by resolution at their first meeting.
5.3 At its first meeting, the Branch shall resolve to register as an ‘Accounting Unit’ with the
Electoral Commission and shall do so in due course by submitting the appropriate
forms to the Commission. The Branch Treasurer will be responsible for ensuring that the Branch meets the accounting requirements of the Electoral Commission and presenting annual accounts to the Brach AGM.
5.4 Where Branches are established, these may cover one or more Parliamentary Constit-uencies.
5.5 The Branch will administer its own financial and other affairs, including the election of local officers and the selection of candidates for UK Parliamentary and local government elections.
5.6 These functions will be conducted in accordance with procedures set down in a Party Rule Book as amended from time to time by the National Council.
5.7 The National Council shall approve newBranches where they appear to the National Council to be viable.
5.8 The National Council shall rule on which constituencies should be covered by any one
Branch.
5.9 In the case of Parliamentary constituencies not covered by a Branch, the Party Secretary shall administer the Party in that constituency, until such time as a Branch is established.
5.10 The Party shall in due course establish Regional Committees for each region of the UK and shall appoint a Regional Organiser who will be responsible to the National Council.
6 THE ANNUAL PARTY CONFERENCE AND ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING
6.1 The Party shall hold an Annual Party Conf-erence at a place and time decided by the National Council.
6.2 Matters of Party business will be decided at an Annual Business Meeting, to be held during the Annual Party Conference. The Annual Business Meeting will be open only to paid-up Party members. Its business will be to receive and debate reports from the national officers and to debate policy resolutions submitted either by local Branches or by the National Council.
Entitlement to vote at Annual Business Meeting
6.3 Those entitled to vote at the Annual Business Meeting shall be up to three representatives chosen by each Branch and all members of the National Council including the Party Leader and co-opted members. To qualify, the Branch must be a Branch that is registered with the Electoral Commission.
6.4 All prospective Parliamentary candidates, if not already one of the three Branchn representatives, shall also have the right to vote at the Annual Business Meeting.
Procedures for the Annual Business Meeting
6.5 The National Council shall publish in the agenda for the Annual Business Meeting
details of all resolutions submitted for debate and the name of the Branch which put forward
the resolution.
6.6 All resolutions at the Annual Business Meeting may be passed by a simple majority of those
voting. Procedures for submitting resolutions at the Annual Business Meeting shall be decided
by the Conference Arrangements Committee, subject to approval by the National Council.
6.6 Resolutions carried at the Annual Business Meeting by a 60% majority of those voting (and not abstaining) become Party policy. Those carried only by a simple majority of those voting (and not abstaining) will have only advisory force.
7 THE NATIONAL COUNCIL
7.1 The National Council is the Party’s management committee, entrusted with the duty of
ensuring that it functions smoothly. It is responsible for the Party’s funds, structure, and
publicity and, together with the membership and the Party Leader, its political strategy. It is answerable to the Annual Party Conference and Annual Business Meeting and is charged with carrying out Conference decisions and considering Branch resolutions passed during the year.
7.2 The National Council may accept affiliation from other organisations. Such affiliated bodies
will not enjoy voting rights.
7.3 The National Council may institute a postal ballot of Party members on amendments to the
Party Constitution, provided that a resolution to do so is approved by a two-thirds majority of
National Council members present and voting.
Appointment of Party Treasurer and Party Secretary
7.4 The National Council shall appoint a Party Treasurer, who may be a serving member of the National Council, but need not be, in which case the Treasurer shall become an ex-officio member but without the right to vote. The Treasurer must be a Party member
7.4 The National Council shall appoint a Party Secretary from amongst its own number.
Conference Arrangements Committee
7.5 The National Council shall establish a sub-committee known as the Conference
Arrangements Committee to ensure that the Annual Party Conference and Annual Business
Meeting run smoothly and that resolutions from Branches are given consideration.
7.6 Branches may, at any time during the year, submit resolutions regarding the policy or
running of the Party or any other matter related to the Party.
7.7 The local Branch Secretary shall forward the any resolution, giving particulars of the numbers of members voting for or against that resolution to the Party Secretary.
7.8 The Party Secretary will notify the National Council of all resolutions from Branches
received since their last meeting. It shall be a standing item on each National Council agenda
to receive notice of Branch resolutions.
7.9 During the period beginning three month before and ending two weeks before the Annual Party Conference and Annual Business Meeting, Branches may submit resolutions on any Party matter for debate at the Annual Business Meeting.
7.10 Resolutions submitted after that date may be considered for debate at the discretion of the Conference Arrangements Committee.
7.11 The Conference Arrangements Committee will have power to decide what Branch resolutions shall be debated and in what order.
7.12 The Nation Council will also be able to move its own resolutions at the Annual Business
Meeting.
Establishment of sub-committees
7.13 The National Council shall establish other temporary and standing sub-committees for the administration of the Party and the development of policy.
Membership of the National Council
7.14 The National Council shall initially comprise twelve elected members, the Party Leader, and up to 5 co-opted members (see Paragraphs 7.26 and 7.27 below).
7.15 The National Council will have power to vary the number of members who comprise the
National Council.
Elections to the National Council
7.16 Members of the National Council shall be elected annually. They shall be eligible for re-election at the completion of their year of service. Eligibility to stand for election to, and to serve on, the National Council shall be determined by the National Council.
7.17 Elections to the National Council shall be on a regional basis. Members of each of the 12
regions of the U.K. shall initially elect one member to the National Council.
7.18 The National Council may vary how many members each region elects to the National
Council, to cater for regions with relatively low membership which may not justify separate
representation on the national Council and for regions with a relatively high membership which
may justify extra representation on the national Council.
7.19 There shall be an election for the National Council each year, in each region of the UK, on
dates to be decided by the National Council, but no later than 31 March each year.
7.20 The National Council shall announce the date, together with the number of vacancies to be filled for each region, and the latest date for the receipt of nominations, at least eight weeks
before the date of the election, in the Party newsletter.
7.21 The election shall be by postal ballot of all paid- up members in each region.
7.22 The election shall take place on the basis of the first-past-the-post system. Each eligible Party member may cast a number of votes up to, but not exceeding, the number of vacancies. All votes shall be of equal value.
7.23 The resignation of a member of the National Council shall be evidenced in writing by the
member resigning or, if given verbally, shall be minuted after verification.
7.24 Should a vacancy occur between elections, the National Council shall in the first instance
invite the highest-placed unsuccessful candidate for the National Council in the region concerned to join the Committee, and so on until the vacancy is filled. Members joining the National Council in this way shall have the same rights as elected members and shall be eligible to stand for election at the next National Council election.
Co-opted Members
7.25 The National Council shall have the right during any one year to co-opt up to three
additional Party members who shall have full voting rights on the National Council.
7.26 The Party Leader shall have the right during any one year to co-opt two Party members who shall also have full voting rights on the National Council
Meetings of the National Council
7.27 The National Council shall meet at least six times a year. These meetings may take place by video-conferencing. Meetings may be chaired by the Leader or Deputy Leader of the Party at his/her discretion or by the Party Chairman or a Vice-Chairman, or, in the absence of all four, by an National Council member appointed by the National Council for that meeting only.
7.28 Eight members of the committee constitute a quorum, except as provided below.
7.29 Any five or more members of the NationalCouncil may requisition an emergency meeting
of the National Council by calling on the Party Secretary to summon one as soon as
practicable. They must state the business to be discussed and any related resolutions to be
put. The agenda for the emergency meeting shall comprise this business and matters
arising and no other.
7.30 A decision to suspend a member of the National Council from the Council may only be
made by a resolution to that effect carried by a two-thirds majority of National Council
members present. A minimum of seven National Council members must vote for
the suspension.
7.31 In the event of a motion of no confidence in the National Council being carried at an Annual
Business Meeting, new elections to the National Council will be held as soon as practicable, the
outgoing National Council remaining in office until their successors are elected.
Policy Committee and other sub-committees
7.32 The National Council shall establish as one of its sub-committees a Policy Committee, which
will meet at least once every two months, and will invite all Party spokesmen appointed by the
Party Leader to its meetings. The purpose of the Policy Committee is to keep under active
review the policies of the Party on all foreign and domestic issues, and to recommend
changes to Party policy, and to draft the Party Manifesto.
7.33 The National Council may authorise the establishment of other groups of Party
members to further the aims of the Party.
Emergency suspension of rules of the Constitution
7.34 Notwithstanding the provisions of this Constitution, the National Council may, by a two-thirds majority and with at least seven members voting in favour, temporarily suspend
the operation of any of its rules in cases of genuine and serious emergency only, including
cases where the smooth and effective running of the Party would be seriously hindered unless
the operation of a rule is temporarily changed.
In any such case, the decision to suspend the operation of any rule and the reasons for doing
so must be published by the National Council to all members as soon as practicable.
Decisions on Discipline and Disputes
7.35 The National Council shall consider reports from the Discipline and Disputes Committee
established under Paragraph 8.1 (below) and shall then decide what disciplinary action to
take, if any, and how to resolve any dispute that the Discipline and Disputes Committee has
been unable to resolve. The National Council, in its discretion, may allow a member to attend in
person and present his/her case but not to be represented. The decision of the National
Council on any matter of discipline or dispute shall be final.
8 DISCIPLINE AND DISPUTES COMMITTEE
8.1 The National Council shall establish a sub-Committee, made up of elected Branch officials,
to consider disputes and issues of discipline and will publicise its procedures, which may be varied from time to time by the National Council.
8.2 In the case of disciplinary matters, the sub-committee shall operate on the basis of fair
procedures and natural justice, including informing any member referred to it of the
nature and substance of the allegations against him/her, giving the member due opportunity to
respond, and the right to appear in person and be represented before the Committee.
8.3 The Discipline and Disputes Committee may in an exceptional case suspend the Party
member under investigation.
8.4 The National Council alone shall decide anydisciplinary penalty.
9 THE PARTY LEADER
9.1 The Party, through its Annual Party Conference, Annual Business Meeting, Policy Committee and Party spokesmen will give political, strategic and policy direction to the Party.
9.2 The Party Leader will provide overall direction to the Party’s strategy and policies and is
responsible for the effective execution of the agreed strategy and policies.
9.3 The Party Leader shall be an ex-officio member of the National Council enjoying full voting
rights and shall be ex-officio a member of all sub-committees and working groups set up by
the National Council.
9.4 The Party Leader shall appoint a Deputy Leader of his/her choosing, who shall be a Party member, to render assistance and act in his place in his absence.
9.5 The Party Leader shall, subject to the approval of the National Council, appoint a Party
Chairman to be in day-to-day control of the Party organisation
9.6 The Party Leader may make such other appointments, in fields such as media relations
and policy formulation, as he thinks fit.
9.7 The Party Leader shall, in close consultation with the National Council, the Party’s
Policy Committee and Party spokesmen, approve the Party’s Manifesto and national
statements of the Party’s policies.
9.8 The Party Leader shall appoint Party spokesmen on all aspects of domestic and
foreign policy. These spokesmen shall, where practicable, attend all meetings of the Party’s
Policy Committee. The spokesmen will be responsible for developing Party policy in their
field of responsibility and for maintaining regular contact with the media in order to
ensure that the Party’s policies are communicated to the public.
Elections for Party Leader
9.9 The Party Leader shall be elected by a postal ballot of all paid-up members of the Party.
9.10 A leadership election shall be called in the event of any of the following:
(a) the Party Leader’s death,
(b) the Party Leader’s incapacity for more than a temporary period
(c) the Party Leader’s resignation
(d) on the passing of a vote of no confidence in the Party Leader by the Annual Business Meeting
(e) 10% or more of Party members submitting a petition to the Party Secretary nominating an alternative candidate for Leader.
Those names must have been obtained during an annual ‘window’, which shall run from three months to two weeks before the date of the Annual Party Conference and Annual Business Meeting. The Party Secretary will check that those signing the petition are paid-up members.
9.11 A Party Leader wishing to resign must Communicate this decision in writing to the
Party Secretary, who must then summon an emergency meeting of the National Council
9.12 Nominations for the post of Party Leader shall require the signature of a proposer and 20
assentors, all paid-up members of the Party, drawn from at least four Branches. They must
be submitted in writing to the Party Secretary within the time specified by him.
9.14 If there is only one valid nomination for the post of Party Leader, the candidate nominated shall be elected without the need for a ballot, but ratification by a simple majority of members
voting at the next Annual Party Conference and Annual Business Meeting will be required.
9.15 If there are only two candidates for the post of Party Leader, the one receiving more than 50% of the valid votes cast will be elected.
9.16 If there are three or more candidates for the post of Party leader, the election shall be by the single transferable vote system, as defined by the Electoral Reform Society. Those eligible to
vote shall be paid up members 14 days before the last date for the receipt of ballot papers.
9.17 When a vacancy for the leadership occurs, the election procedure laid down by the National Council shall be implemented by the Party Secretary. Until that process is completed, the Deputy Leader will serve as acting Party Leader.
10 THE PARTY TREASURER
10.1 A Party Treasurer will be appointed by the National Council from among Party members.
10.2 His/her term of office will be annual. S/he will be an ex-officio member of the National
Council if not already a member of it. The Party Treasurer does not hold voting rights on the
National Council by virtue of his or her office.
10.3 The Treasurer shall be responsible for:
a) managing the Party’s finances
b) preparing annual accounts and for presenting them to the Annual Party Conference and Annual Business Meeting of Party members
c) ensuring that the Party complies with the financial requirements of the Electoral Commission, including filing prompt returns relating to all the Party’s
Accounting Units.
d) chairing the Finance Committee.
11 THE PARTY SECRETARY
11.1 The Party Secretary’s term of office will be one year.
11.2 The Party Secretary will be chosen by the National Council from amongst its members.
11.3 The Party Secretary is responsible for:
(a) ensuring that the administrative and other arrangements of the Party comply with all legal
requirements;
(b) maintaining an up-to-date record of Party members for national Party purposes;
(c) for the administration of leadership elections and elections to the National Council (except
when he or she is a candidate, when the National Council shall nominate another of its
members to carry out this task); and
(d) the organisation of the Party Conference, in conjunction with the Conference Arrangements Committee.
11.4 The Party Secretary will chair the Committee on Standing Orders and will sit on the Conference Arrangements Committee.
12 THE DEPUTY LEADER
12.1 [repeats Paragraph 9.4] The Party Leader will appoint a Deputy of his/her choosing, who will be a Party member, to render assistance and act in his place in his absence.
13 THE PARTY CHAIRMAN
13.1 The Party Leader will appoint a Party Chairman, subject to the approval of the National Council, from amongst paid-up members of the Party. The Chairman will be an ex-officio member of the National Council, if not already an ordinary member of it.
13.2 The Party Chairman shall chair meetings of the Annual Party Conference and Annual Business Meeting.
13.3 The Party Chairman will be responsible for ensuring that there are active and properly
constituted Branches of the Party throughout the country, financially able to support a
Parliamentary election campaign.
13.4 To that end, the Party Chairman may make such subsidiary administrative appointments as s/he sees fit and may suggest to the National Council the creation of paid administrative posts.
13.5 The Party Chairman shall report regularly to the National Council on Branch activity, as
appropriate.
14 SEPARATION OF OFFICE
14.1 The offices of Party Leader, Deputy Leader, Treasurer, Party Secretary and Party Chairman may only be held singly.
15 APPOINTMENT OF PARTY PRESIDENT AND PARTY VICE-PRESIDENTS
15.1 The Party Leader may in his sole discretion appoint a President of the Party and any
number of Vice-Presidents.
16 STANDING AND TEMPORARY COMMITTEES
16.1 The standing committees set up by the National Council shall include a Finance Committee, a Committee on Standing Orders, a Policy Committee and a Conference Steering Committee.
16.2 The Finance Committee shall be chaired by the Party Treasurer. Its responsibility will be to oversee the management of the Party’s finances and to appoint auditors.
16.3 The Committee on Standing Orders shall be chaired by the Party Secretary and will be responsible for maintaining and updating the Party Rule Book and for reviewing proposals for amendments to the Party Constitution.
16.4 The Conference Arrangements Committee will have the responsibility to make recommendations on all matters relating to the agenda of the Annual Party Conference and Annual Business Meeting, including making recommendations on procedures for handling resolutions for debate.
17 THE PARTY RULE BOOK
17.1 The National Council shall establish a Party Rule Book which will detail the rules governing the establishment and maintenance of Branches; membership of standing and temporary committees; submission of resolutions for debate at the Annual Party Conference and Annual Business Meeting, the conduct of these meetings, the calling and conduct of elections for Party Leaders and the National Council, disciplinary procedures (in conjunction with the Discipline and Disputes Committee) and all other rules and procedures forming part of the formal management and administration of the Party.
18 18 PARLIAMENTARY AND LOCAL
CANDIDATES
18.1 The Party shall establish a list of approved Parliamentary candidates, by means of interviewing potential candidates. Potential candidates shall make a written application and shall make full disclosure of any fact, political or personal, that may have a bearing on their suitability for selection as a candidate.
18.2 Potential candidates will be interviewed by at least two people drawn from the following
categories: members of the National Council, appointed national officers, and Chairmen and
elected officials of local Branches.
18.3 A national Candidate Selection Officer may be appointed to oversee the candidate selection
process and make recommendations on candidate selection for the final approval of the
National Council and the Party Leader.
18.4 All Parliamentary candidates, including for Parliamentary by-elections, must be paid-up
members of the Party and on the Party’s list of approved candidates.
18.5 The selection, from the list of approved Candidates, of a prospective Parliamentary
candidate to contest a constituency in a General Election or Parliamentary by-election,
Is the prerogative of the Branch concerned, subject to the discretion, in exceptional
circumstances, of the National Council or the Party Leader.
18.6 Local Branches shall draw up a short list of potential Parliamentary candidates and shall
call a meeting of all Branch members, on at least 21 days’ notice, to hear each short-listed
candidate speak and answer members’ questions. Branch members shall decide by
secret ballot whom they wish to be their prospective Parliamentary candidate.
Additional procedures for selecting Parliamentary candidates may be contained in
The Party Rule Book.
18.7 The selection of candidates for local government elections is the responsibility of
Branches, who may take decisions either by the Committee or by a first-past-the-post vote of all
Branch’s members.
18.8 The method of selecting candidates for any election requiring a Party list shall be decided
by the National Council.
19 THE CONSTITUTION: APPROVAL AND AMENDMENT
19.1 This Constitution shall come into force immediately following its approval by a simple majority of Party members.
19.2 Amendments to the Constitution may be made only by a two-thirds majority of paid-up
members voting in a postal ballot. Such ballots shall be held when a Constitutional amendment
is proposed either by the National Council, after its approval by a two-thirds majority of National
Council members voting, or proposed by 20 or more Branches, communicated in writing to the
Party Secretary.
19.3 [repeats Para 7.34] Notwithstanding the provisions of this Constitution, the National
Council may, by a two-thirds majority and with at least seven members voting in favour,
temporarily suspend the operation of any of its rules in cases of genuine and serious
emergency only, including cases where the smooth and effective running of the Party would
be seriously hindered unless the operation of a rule is temporarily changed. In any such
case, the decision to suspend the operation of any rule, and the reasons for doing so, must be
published by the National Council to all members as soon as practicable
This Constitution was adopted following approval by a majority of members on (date )
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