UK Community Issues Party
Encyclopedia
The UK Community Issues Party is a minor political party
based in North West Surrey
and South West London
. The party was first registered in 2003, but counts its history starting October 2004.
at the 2004 election
, in which Michael Osman, Shane Osman and Caroline Schwark combined for 218 votes, or 1% of the vote.
Even before the 2004 campaign and the party's official formation, however, future party leader Michael Osman ran as an independent in the 2003 Woking Borough Council election
, in the Maybury and Sheerwater ward, losing to incumbent Elizabeth Evans.
The party was renamed in October 2004 as it redefined its scope, encompassing the abolition of tuition fees for university students, reinforcing public law and order, and resisting the move to pass a European Constitution.
It participated in the 2005 general election
, in which it stood candidates in the constituencies of Woking
(Michael Osman, party leader), Spelthorne
(Caroline Schwark), and Runnymede and Weybridge (Katrina Osman, party treasurer) Total, the party received 502 votes.
Again in 2007, the party stood in the Woking council elections
, garnering 102 votes in two wards.
The party boycotted the 1 May 2008 borough election
in Woking, alleging abuses by the local government that have undermined its position. The party had previously joined the Woking Labour Party
in contesting the results of 2006 local elections
in the Woking ward of Maybury and Sheerwater. The election boycott was also linked to the controversial £1.2 million purchase of a canopy, purchased by Woking Council's Chief Executive, Ray Morgan, without consulting councillors. In the wake of the scandal, the UK Community Issues Party circulated a petition addressed to Prime Minister Gordon Brown
, asking him to pressure Morgan to step down.
. It campaigns for increased democratic control of public services through reducing the number of people involved in senior management, abolishing self-investigation and introducing independent complaints systems.
In line with its concern for quality of care in public health, the party's website has spotlighted instances of what it calls negligence in the National Health Service. The party was founded after party leader Michael Osman suffered severe side-effects after a 1999 hernia operation. As a result of their difficulties working with the National Health Service, Michael and Katrina Osman decided to form a new party to address their concerns.
The party also called for a referendum
on the proposed European Constitution, for more visible policing, the construction of more affordable housing and for the withdrawal of British troops from Iraq
and their replacement by a United Nations
peacekeeping force.
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...
based in North West Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
and South West London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. The party was first registered in 2003, but counts its history starting October 2004.
Campaign history
The party was originally founded as Health and Community Issues Party, which ran an unsuccessful campaign for the Woking Borough CouncilWoking (borough)
Woking is a local government district with borough status in the west of Surrey, England.It was formed in 1895 as an urban district under the Local Government Act 1894. The present-day borough was established in 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, and is one of two districts in Surrey to...
at the 2004 election
Woking Council election, 2004
The 2004 Woking Council election took place on 10 June 2004 to elect members of Woking Borough Council in Surrey, England. One third of the council was up for election and the council stayed under no overall control....
, in which Michael Osman, Shane Osman and Caroline Schwark combined for 218 votes, or 1% of the vote.
Even before the 2004 campaign and the party's official formation, however, future party leader Michael Osman ran as an independent in the 2003 Woking Borough Council election
Woking Council election, 2003
The 2003 Woking Council election took place on 1 May 2003 to elect members of Woking Borough Council in Surrey, England. One third of the council was up for election and the council stayed under no overall control....
, in the Maybury and Sheerwater ward, losing to incumbent Elizabeth Evans.
The party was renamed in October 2004 as it redefined its scope, encompassing the abolition of tuition fees for university students, reinforcing public law and order, and resisting the move to pass a European Constitution.
It participated in the 2005 general election
United Kingdom general election, 2005
The United Kingdom general election of 2005 was held on Thursday, 5 May 2005 to elect 646 members to the British House of Commons. The Labour Party under Tony Blair won its third consecutive victory, but with a majority of 66, reduced from 160....
, in which it stood candidates in the constituencies of Woking
Woking (UK Parliament constituency)
Woking is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election...
(Michael Osman, party leader), Spelthorne
Spelthorne (UK Parliament constituency)
-Elections in the 2000s:-Elections in the 1990s:-Elections in the 1980s:-Elections in the 1970s:-Elections in the 1960s:...
(Caroline Schwark), and Runnymede and Weybridge (Katrina Osman, party treasurer) Total, the party received 502 votes.
Again in 2007, the party stood in the Woking council elections
Woking Council election, 2007
The 2007 Woking Council election took place on 3 May 2007 to elect members of Woking Borough Council in Surrey, England. One third of the council was up for election and the Conservative party gained overall control of the council from no overall control....
, garnering 102 votes in two wards.
The party boycotted the 1 May 2008 borough election
Woking Council election, 2008
The 2008 Woking Council election took place on 1 May 2008 to elect members of Woking Borough Council in Surrey, England. One third of the council was up for election and the Conservative party stayed in overall control of the council....
in Woking, alleging abuses by the local government that have undermined its position. The party had previously joined the Woking Labour Party
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
in contesting the results of 2006 local elections
Woking Council election, 2006
The 2006 Woking Council election took place on 4 May 2006 to elect members of Woking Borough Council in Surrey, England. One third of the council was up for election and the council stayed under no overall control....
in the Woking ward of Maybury and Sheerwater. The election boycott was also linked to the controversial £1.2 million purchase of a canopy, purchased by Woking Council's Chief Executive, Ray Morgan, without consulting councillors. In the wake of the scandal, the UK Community Issues Party circulated a petition addressed to Prime Minister Gordon Brown
Gordon Brown
James Gordon Brown is a British Labour Party politician who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Labour Party from 2007 until 2010. He previously served as Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Labour Government from 1997 to 2007...
, asking him to pressure Morgan to step down.
Party goals and origins
The party's proclaimed primary goal is to reform public services, specifically to reduce medical mistakes and alleged negligence by the National Health ServiceNational Health Service
The National Health Service is the shared name of three of the four publicly funded healthcare systems in the United Kingdom. They provide a comprehensive range of health services, the vast majority of which are free at the point of use to residents of the United Kingdom...
. It campaigns for increased democratic control of public services through reducing the number of people involved in senior management, abolishing self-investigation and introducing independent complaints systems.
In line with its concern for quality of care in public health, the party's website has spotlighted instances of what it calls negligence in the National Health Service. The party was founded after party leader Michael Osman suffered severe side-effects after a 1999 hernia operation. As a result of their difficulties working with the National Health Service, Michael and Katrina Osman decided to form a new party to address their concerns.
The party also called for a referendum
Referendum
A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, a law, the recall of an elected official or simply a specific government policy. It is a form of...
on the proposed European Constitution, for more visible policing, the construction of more affordable housing and for the withdrawal of British troops from Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
and their replacement by a United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
peacekeeping force.