The Democratic Party was a political party active in the United Kingdom between 1998 and 2005, although not officially deregistered until 2010.
Democratic Party | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leader | Geoff Southall |
| Founded | 18 November 1998 |
| Dissolved | June 2010 |
| Headquarters | Enigma House, Grovewood Road, Malvern, Worcestershire |
| Ideology | Euroscepticism Direct democracy |
It was 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 party's slogan was "The will of the people NOT the party". It had a few hundred members in 1999,[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"
Geoff Southall on financing the Democratic Party[7]
Charles Beauclerk, 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] It 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 party's 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 in seeking legal advice, the party was inactive after 2005 at the latest,[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]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b "New political party set up to reduce Britain's links with Europe". Associated Press. 18 November 1998. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
- ^ a b c Peter, Walker (4 November 1999). "Rebel peer challenges Portillo". The Independent. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
- ^ a b "For the good of the party (letter)". The Daily Telegraph. 28 January 2001. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
- ^ Clark, Michael A.; (Constitutional Spokesman) (24 November 1998). "Rebuilding roots of true democracy (letter)". Birmingham Post. Retrieved 11 January 2010.[dead link]
- ^ a b Boggan, Steve (18 January 2001). "FBI investigates 'lies' of mother who sold babies". The Independent. Retrieved 11 January 2010.[dead link]
- ^ a b Watt, Nicholas (5 November 1999). "Leaping lord hits first hurdle in Portillo contest". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
- ^ "Quotes of the week". The Independent. 29 November 1998. Archived from the original on 2 November 2012. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
- ^ "An injection of Ashdown energy". Malvern Gazette. 25 May 2001. Retrieved 11 January 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "PRESS RELEASES GENERAL". Democratic Party. 14 January 2000. Archived from the original on 29 April 2010. 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. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
- ^ Hastings, Chris; Charlotte Edwardes (21 January 2001). "Internet couple lost £10,000 on earlier baby deal". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
- ^ "Democratic Party Statement of Accounts 2005" (PDF). Electoral Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 March 2009. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
- ^ "Democratic Party Statement of Accounts 2007" (PDF). Electoral Commission. Retrieved 10 February 2010.[dead link]
- ^ "Democratic Party Statement of Accounts 2009" (PDF). Electoral Commission. Retrieved 10 February 2010.[dead link]
- ^ "Democratic Party Statement of Accounts 2008" (PDF). Electoral Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 June 2009. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
- ^ "Electoral Commission – List of Political Parties..... deregistered since 2002" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 October 2010. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
External links edit
- Official site (mirrored and an archived copy from 2005 on the Internet Archive).