Democratic Party (UK, 1998)
Encyclopedia
The Democratic Party was a political party
in the United Kingdom, founded in November 1998 by Malvern businessman Geoff Southall, who also funded the party. It was described as "right wing" or "hard right" in news reports, but claimed to occupy the centre-ground of British politics. It aimed to reduce Britain's involvement with the European Union
, opposed the adoption of the Euro, called for direct democracy
, and argued for limits on immigration. The slogan was "The will of the people NOT the party". In 1999 it had a few hundred members, including previous supporters of James Goldsmith's Referendum Party
.
The Earl of Burford
stood as its candidate in the November 1999 Kensington and Chelsea by-election
against Michael Portillo
, receiving 189 votes (0.9%). The party decided not to stand any candidates in the 2001 general election, citing a lack of media attention. The party criticised the United Kingdom Independence Party
in 2000 for being perceived as right-wing, lacking political acumen, and performing poorly in Westminster elections. In 2003 the party took legal action against the UK government in the High Court over the then proposed EU Constitution.
Until 2001 the home and legal affairs spokesman was Alan Kilshaw, who resigned when he and his then wife became involved in an adoption scandal.
Other than seeking legal advice, the party has been inactive since at least 2005, and received no income in 2008 or 2009. According to the Electoral Commission
the party was 'de-registered voluntarily' in June 2010.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in the United Kingdom, founded in November 1998 by Malvern businessman Geoff Southall, who also funded the party. It was described as "right wing" or "hard right" in news reports, but claimed to occupy the centre-ground of British politics. It aimed to reduce Britain's involvement with the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
, opposed the adoption of the Euro, called for direct democracy
Direct democracy
Direct democracy is a form of government in which people vote on policy initiatives directly, as opposed to a representative democracy in which people vote for representatives who then vote on policy initiatives. Direct democracy is classically termed "pure democracy"...
, and argued for limits on immigration. The slogan was "The will of the people NOT the party". In 1999 it had a few hundred members, including previous supporters of James Goldsmith's Referendum Party
Referendum Party
The Referendum Party was a Euro-sceptic, single issue party in the United Kingdom formed by Sir James Goldsmith to fight the 1997 General Election. The party called for a referendum on aspects of the UK's relationship with the European Union.-Policy:...
.
The Earl of Burford
Charles Beauclerk, Earl of Burford
Charles Francis Topham de Vere Beauclerk, Earl of Burford is the eldest son and heir apparent of the Duke of St Albans. He is descended from Charles Beauclerk, 1st Duke of St Albans, the natural son of Charles II and Nell Gwyn....
stood as its candidate in the November 1999 Kensington and Chelsea by-election
Kensington and Chelsea by-election, 1999
The Member of Parliament for Kensington and Chelsea, Alan Clark, died of a brain tumour on September 5, 1999.This was the first safe Conservative seat to have a by-election in the Parliament. There was immediate speculation that Michael Portillo, the most high-profile casualty of the 1997 general...
against Michael Portillo
Michael Portillo
Michael Denzil Xavier Portillo is a British journalist, broadcaster, and former Conservative Party politician and Cabinet Minister...
, receiving 189 votes (0.9%). The party decided not to stand any candidates in the 2001 general election, citing a lack of media attention. The party criticised the United Kingdom Independence Party
United Kingdom Independence Party
The United Kingdom Independence Party is a eurosceptic and right-wing populist political party in the United Kingdom. Whilst its primary goal is the UK's withdrawal from the European Union, the party has expanded beyond its single-issue image to develop a more comprehensive party platform.UKIP...
in 2000 for being perceived as right-wing, lacking political acumen, and performing poorly in Westminster elections. In 2003 the party took legal action against the UK government in the High Court over the then proposed EU Constitution.
Until 2001 the home and legal affairs spokesman was Alan Kilshaw, who resigned when he and his then wife became involved in an adoption scandal.
Other than seeking legal advice, the party has been inactive since at least 2005, and received no income in 2008 or 2009. According to the Electoral Commission
Electoral Commission (United Kingdom)
The Electoral Commission is an independent body set up by the UK Parliament. It regulates party and election finance and sets standards for well-run elections...
the party was 'de-registered voluntarily' in June 2010.
External links
- Official site (mirrored and an archived copy from 2005 on the Internet ArchiveInternet ArchiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
).