Party Constitution

The Constitution

INDEPENDENTS FOR DIRECT DEMOCRACY

Effective 24th August 2024

This document is the Constitution of Independents for Direct Democracy and is hereinafter and may elsewhere be referred to as the “Party Constitution”.

1. IDENTITY & NAME

1.1 The Party exists as a Political Party to be registered with the UK Electoral Commission under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA). The registered name of the Party under the PPERA shall be Independents for Direct Democracy.

1.2 This Constitution describes the principles governing the conduct of Independents for Direct Democracy’s affairs. 

1.3 The Party shall abide by all relevant laws including electoral and association laws.

1.4 The Party may use additional names as may be registered from time to time with the Electoral Commission, as well as informal variants of and alternatives to its registered name as may be deemed by party officials to be appropriate.

1.5 The Party shall not accept loans or obtain debt.

1.6 The Party is a non-denominational and non-sectarian party that welcomes as its members people of all faiths and none.

1.7 The Party asserts the equality of all ethnic groups and repudiates all forms of anti-Semitism.

1.8 The Party asserts the Constitutional permanent indivisibility of the union of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

1.9. The Party is registered on both the Great Britain and Northern Ireland registers and is organised and administered so that the financial affairs of the party in Great Britain are conducted separately from those of the party in Northern Ireland, through the maintenance of separate financial ledgers.

1.10 The Party believes in fostering a ‘Culture of Life’ and therefore repudiates political ideologies such as Cultural Marxism, National Socialism, Communism, Fabianism, Nihilism and the movements borne out of such ideologies such as the eugenics movement, governmental population control, state sponsored euthanasia and all other movements which are detrimental to the dignity of the person. We hold these views because we believe these things to be incongruous to the rights, duties and responsibilities of the individual as set out in common law and the British Constitution.

1.11 We also hold that the institution of marriage forms the constitution of a private life between one man and one woman. We believe that government has no right to redefine such an institution, as we believe it is in itself a guarantor against state intrusion into family life.

1.11 We believe the government has no right to attempt to change the Natural Law, that this law forms the foundation of our society, and that attempts to change it are a dangerous abuse of power that views personhood as being malleable and subject to opinion which in itself presents a threat to the dignity of the person.

2. FOUNDING VALUES

2.1 The Party is a democratic organisation which will assert, promote and defend the principles of freedom of speech and liberty of conscience, and will only adopt policies which are consistent with our core principles, being those which:

a) promote aspiration, achievement and self-reliance

b) support and defend those in genuine need

c) protect the rights of individuals to make decisions in respect of themselves and their dependents in accordance with their consciences, provided that these decisions do not infringe on the individual rights of others

d) tend towards diminution in the role of the State

e) tend towards reduction in taxation of all types

f) promote effective defence of the Realm from enemies foreign and domestic without compromise to the liberties constitutionally afforded to British subjects

g) preserve and strengthen the rights, liberties and customs of the British people in accordance with our nation’s ancient Constitution

h) preserve and defend the Judeo-Christian foundations of our Common Law and promote the principle of equality of all persons under the law

i) maintain the principle of international reciprocity with respect to securing the same rights and liberties of foreign residents and visitors to the United Kingdom that British subjects would properly demand that they enjoy abroad

3. AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSE

3.1 The Party believes that the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (hereinafter “The United Kingdom”) should be governed only by her own citizens, and that all legislation passed by Parliament should be formulated with primary respect to the national interest, security and prosperity of the British people.

3.2 The Party affirms the assertions expressed in our nation’s Constitution that no foreign person, entity or organization ought to have any jurisdiction, pre-eminence, superiority or authority – whether legal, temporal or religious - within the Realm of the United Kingdom, and that the British people must never be subject to the imposition of a foreign legal or monetary system, or the jurisdiction of foreign courts.

3.3 Independents for Direct Democracy’s aim is to effectuate genuine democracy in the United Kingdom by the democratic imposition of the sovereign will of the free people of Britain upon Parliament. To this end the Party shall seek to introduce into Parliament a system of Direct Democracy in which the eligible electorate may vote directly on legislation originating within either of the Houses of Parliament, where the majority vote of the electorate directly effects immediate implementation of new legislation, or repeal of existing legislation, subject to a minimum participation threshold of 10% of the eligible electorate being attained.

3.4 The Party shall administer its internal affairs in a manner that is consistent with the Party’s values described in paragraph 2.1.

4. ACTIVITIES OF THE PARTY

4.1 In pursuit of its objectives, the Party shall undertake to implement the following programmes:

a) 4D Direct, being the means whereby the Party formulates policies, local and national campaign initiatives, and revisions to organizational procedures, and seeks to obtain the express consent of party members to implement such proposals.

b) 4D Connect, being the means by which the Party creates and maintains a directory of Party activists and details of their capabilities, interests and extent of their availability to serve the aims of Independents for Direct Democracy.

c) 4D Media, being a comprehensive information dissemination strategy whereby written, audio and visual media are shared widely using all available means deemed to be effective in broadcasting Independents for Direct Democracy’s message.

d) 4D Affiliate, being the means by which the Party attracts the patronage of business owners, with participating businesses providing to the Party members discounts on services that are divided between the purchaser and the Party.

e) 4D Local, being the comprehensive civic engagement and networking strategy whereby the Party members campaign for initiatives that solve problems identified through Independents for Direct Democracy’s local “Flatpack Democracy” canvassing programme.

4.2 The Party shall, as opportunity and funding permits, engage in revenue-generating commercial activities that fund both the party-political activities and general campaigning work for public benefit. Commercial activities shall include but not be limited to, the acquisition of property, and the trading of services and goods for profit, both within the United Kingdom, and internationally.

4.3 The Party may organize, participate and campaign in any referendum whose principal object is consistent with our core principles as articulated in paragraph 2.1 of this Constitution (hereinafter referred to as “Independents for Direct Democracy’s core values”). These may include referenda that are international, national, regional or local in scope.

4.4 The Leader shall not publicly espouse any policy or position on the behalf of the Party which is not consistent with Independents for Direct Democracy’s core values. The Leader shall endeavour to obtain the consent of the membership on the adoption of policies to be integrated into the Party’s manifesto.

4.5 The Party is committed to working for mutual gain with other organisations both in the United Kingdom and abroad, towards the enhanced democratization of the political process in whichever countries such organisations operate. Collaborative relationships of this nature shall have objectives to be expressed in terms consistent with Independents for Direct Democracy’s core values. It is not to be inferred that the Party shares the ideological, philosophical or political tenets of cooperating organisations.

4.6 The Party may occupy any seat to which it wins election regardless of any policy advocating the abolition of such a seat, election or entity, subject always to the right of the Leader or membership to decide otherwise.

4.7 Consistent with its aims, the Party may:

a) raise funds and invite and receive contributions from any legal or natural person whatsoever in such manner and to the extent and limits permissible by law, including but not limited to: subscriptions, donations, provision or services or goods in kind

b) publish, with or without charge, any document or digital publication it sees fit in any format

c) employ, subcontract and pay persons, sole traders or companies to manage, oversee, coordinate and execute Independents for Direct Democracy’s aims and objectives; to administer the Party, and to satisfy the Party’s obligations under the law

d) purchase, lease or rent such real or personal property deemed Executive Board as necessary to advance the Party's objectives, to conduct the Party’s administration, and to make arrangements for the management of any such property acquired;

e) invest any monies of the Party not immediately required, in accordance with the Trustee Act of 1925

f) carry out or refrain from carrying out any lawful act as may be deemed appropriate for the attainment of the Party’s objectives and the proper administration of the Party

g) enter into contracts for the supply of goods, employment and services

h) undertake any or all lawful activities under the Companies Acts.

5. MEMBERSHIP 

5.1 There are two categories of members.

5.2 Provisional Members are new members that have completed the membership application procedure and paid subscription fees but which have not yet received notification that they have been successfully vetted by the Party. Provisional members are not entitled to vote in internal party elections. The status of Provisional Member is applied to members that may previously have been Full Members but are currently under disciplinary suspension. In the case of disciplinary suspension, subscription fees are not refunded.

5.3 Full Members are members whose subscription fees are up to date and who have been informed by a qualified officer of the Party that they have successfully passed the membership vetting procedure and who are not subject to disciplinary suspension. Full Members are eligible to vote in internal party elections.

5.4 Vetting of Provisional Members is required to be conducted within 6 weeks of initial payment of cleared subscription funds. In the event that a Provisional Member’s vetting process is unsuccessful, subscription fees are to be returned within 28 days of the applicant being informed of the negative outcome of the vetting process.

5.5 The vetting procedure is discretionary, with assessment criteria for exclusion from Full Membership being based on evidence of non-conformity to the party ethos as expressed in the Party’s core values in paragraph 2.1.

5.6 The Executive Board may refuse to register any member or may expel any member if it believes that the member does not have the interests of the Party at heart or if the Executive Board believes that a member application or member is part of a stacking exercise.

5.7 The Executive Board shall refuse to register as a member of the Party any person that has been found to have applied to attend, or has attended, a Common Purpose seminar or part thereof, or course of tuition provided by Common Purpose, except where the applicant supplies in writing to the Party a revocation of their association with Common Purpose and provides permission to the party to publish this revocation on the Party’s website and elsewhere on the Internet.

5.8 The Executive Board shall refuse to register as a member of the Party any person that has been found to have been a member of any proscribed organisation or political party as published on the Party’s website, except where the applicant supplies in writing to the Party a revocation of their association with any proscribed organisation or political party of which the applicant has been a member or has had association, and provides permission to the party to publish this revocation on the Party’s website and elsewhere on the Internet.

6. REVOCATION OF MEMBERSHIP

6.1 If, after becoming a member of the Party, a person a) joins another political party (whether registered with the Electoral Commission or not) or any organisation membership of which the Executive Board has declared to be incompatible with membership of the Party; orb) without the authority of the Executive Board, sets up, is found to have set up, or has aided and abetted the setting up of another political party, whether registered with the Electoral Commission or not; orc) is later found already to be a member or former member of any proscribed organisation or political party as detailed on the Party website;

d) is found to have applied to attend, or to have attended, a Common Purpose seminar or course of tuition; the Party Chairman may revoke their membership forthwith. Any person whose membership is revoked under this Article may appeal against that decision within 28 days of notification thereof being sent to him. Such an appeal shall then be heard within a reasonable time by a panel composed either of the Party Secretary and two members of the Executive Board or, at the discretion of the Party Secretary, by the Party Secretary and two persons independent of the Party.

7. PARTY ORGANISATION AND PARTY CONFERENCE

7.1 The Executive Board may from time to time make rules concerning the organization of such Party structures which are not provided for in this Constitution.

Business Meeting

7.2 The Party shall hold both a Business Meeting and a full Party Conference annually at such place and at such date and time as the Executive Board may determine. Only Party members “in good standing” may vote at the Business Meeting and at the Annual Conference.

7.3 Members are considered to be in "good standing" if at any given moment:

a) their subscriptions are up to date; and

b) they are not subject to any suspension or exclusion by the Party either from elected office or from standing as a candidate of any sort in any election; and

c) they are not subject to any form of suspension or restriction as to their membership of Independents for Direct Democracy.

7.4 The Business Meeting will be open only to Party members "in good standing”. Its business shall be:

a) to receive reports from the Party’s leaders and officers; and

b) to receive and note the Party's accounts, as required by law.

7.5 All motions at the Business Meeting may be passed by a simple majority of those voting.

Conference

7.6 The Annual Conference shall be open to both Full and Provisional Party Members “in good standing”, and to guests invited by the Party Leader. Its business shall include the consideration of motions on Party policy and strategy, in accordance with the Rules of Procedure.

7.7 Motions carried shall only have advisory force and will be listed for discussion by the Executive Board within 90 days of the motion having been carried.

7.8 The Executive Board may also summon other special conferences or EGMs for specific purposes, which will be open to all Party members “in good standing”. The Executive Board may from time to time make rules for the convening of and the procedures for the conduct of such conferences.

EGM

7.9 The Party Secretary shall call an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), giving members a minimum of 14 days' notice, if requested to do so, by a minimum of ten per cent (10%) of the Party's members in good standing. Where fewer than 200 members call for an EGM, the meeting may be held via digital means.

7.9.1 Each such application shall set out the business to be dealt with at the EGM and the agenda of any such EGM shall be restricted to that business and to matters arising.

7.9.2 Each such application shall further be accompanied by individual electronic payments from signatories to the Party Head Office funds for such a sum as shall be determined by the Executive Board as necessary to cover the cost of the meeting. This sum shall not exceed £10 per member.

7.10 Upon receipt of a valid application or petition under Article 7.9 hereof, the Party Secretary shall call an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Party to be held within 28 days of such receipt.

8. EXECUTIVE BOARD

8.1 There shall be established a committee known as the Executive Board (hereinafter “the Executive Board”) which shall function as the principal management and administrative authority of the Party, in particular for the purposes of law.Powers of Executive Board

8.2 The duties, powers and responsibilities of the Executive Board shall include (but are not limited to):

a) ensuring that the Party works towards the achievement of the objectives set out in Article 2 above in an efficient and judicious manner;

b) managing the Party's funds, structure and employees;

c) advising the Party Leader on political matters;

d) approving the Party's policies and manifestos;

e) ensuring that the Constitution of the Party is in accordance with the laws of the United Kingdom;

f) managing and conducting the Party’s disciplinary procedures;

g) making or amending from time to time such Rules of Procedure as it deems appropriate for the efficient conduct and administration of the Party and for the discharge of its responsibilities under this Article and under the law for the efficient running of the Party and the attainment of its objectives.

Composition of Executive Board

8.3 The Executive Board shall normally be composed of the following voting members:

a) 10 members elected to the Executive Board;

b) the Party Leader (who may be an elected member);

c) the Party Chairman (who may be an elected member);

d) two members who shall be selected and appointed in accordance with rules made by the Executive Board from time to time from among Party members elected to public office.

8.4 The Executive Board may from time to time appoint further non-voting ex-officio members as it deems necessary for the efficient running of the Executive Board.

8.4.1 The Executive Board shall appoint a Party Treasurer and a Party Secretary from among full Party members "in good standing", each of whom may be a voting member of the Executive Board as defined in Article 8.3 above. In the event that either the Party Treasurer or the Party Secretary is not a voting member of the Executive Board then he:

a) shall become an ex officio member of the Executive Board;

b) may take part in all its deliberations and meetings;

c) may not vote on any matter.

Party Treasurer

8.5 The post of Party Treasurer is required under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 and the name of the Party Treasurer must be registered with the UK Electoral Commission. The Party Treasurer shall establish and chair a Finance Committee to be responsible for managing the Party's general (non-campaign specific) finances and reporting these to the Executive Board. The Party Treasurer will prepare annual accounts and present them at the annual Business Meeting. The Party Treasurer will be responsible for complying with all statutes and requirements of the Electoral Commission applicable to financial reporting and probity.

8.6 The Party Leader shall appoint the Party Treasurer. The Party Treasurer's term of office shall be two years, which may be renewed; he may be removed before the end of his term by not less than a two-thirds majority vote of the Executive Board.

8.7 The Party Treasurer may, subject to the approval of the Executive Board, appoint Deputy Treasurers to assist with the tasks described above.

8.8 The Treasurer shall not vote on issues relating to the management of Party funds.

Party Secretary

8.9 The Party Secretary is responsible, inter alia, for ensuring that the administrative and other arrangements of the Party comply with all legal requirements placed upon it by statute other than those relating to finance. The Party Secretary shall establish and chair a Discipline Committee subject to and in accordance with Rules made by the Executive Board concerning disciplinary procedures.

8.10 The Party Secretary's term of office shall be two years which may be renewed; he may be removed before the end of his term by not less than a two-thirds majority vote of the Executive Board.

Executive Board sub-committees

8.11 The Executive Board shall establish standing subcommittees for policy, finance, discipline and any temporary additional subcommittees it identifies as necessary for the administration of the Party. The composition of all subcommittees, the limits of their delegated powers and their operational details shall be in accordance with the Party Rule Book.

The Executive Board: role, appointments, terms of office and remuneration

8.12.1 The Executive Board, working in concert with the Party Leader, shall perform the function of determining and fulfilling the will of the party membership by whatever means they deem to constitute the most efficient and practicable, but with respect to the values, principles and constraints expressed in the Party Constitution. Where the Executive Board is judged by the membership to have failed to represent the concerns and requirements of the membership, the terms of this Party Constitution are to be understood to imply sole responsibility for this failure as resting with the Party Leader, whom the membership may act to remove swiftly and at negligible cost, via the 4D Direct programme, and with reference to the conditions laid out in 8.24.

8.12.2 The performance of the Executive Board being attributable solely to the Party Leader, all officers on the board are to be appointed by the Party Leader, with terms of office being one year for all appointments.

8.12.3 No member of the Executive Board shall be considered to be an employee of the Party, or to enjoy the employment rights and benefits accruing to an employee of a company. All board members are to assume their roles in the capacity of volunteers and for such time as they are requested by the Party Leader to continue in their roles.

8.13 No member of the Executive Board shall be inhibited or in any way restricted by the Party or any of its officers, or Leader, from engaging in employment outside the party.

8.14 Where an officer of the Executive Board receives remuneration, the officer is required to invoice the party as a contractor, and the officer is to accept that performance of any paid work is not to be construed as implying that that person is employed by the party.

Resignation and vacancies

8.15 The resignation of a member of the Executive Board shall either be evidenced in writing signed by the resigning member and sent or given to the Party Chairman, or given orally. If given orally, the Party Chairman shall write to the resigning member inviting him to confirm or to withdraw his resignation.

8.16 The resigning member shall reply to such invitation within fourteen days of the posting of the letter. In the absence of a reply from the resigning member within that time he shall forthwith be deemed to have resigned from the Executive Board.

8.17 Should a vacancy occur between elections, the Executive Board may invite a candidate from the immediately preceding Executive Board election to fill the vacancy until the next annual elections when the position shall be filled by election, subject always to the willingness of the invitee to serve. Members joining the Executive Board in this way shall have the same rights as elected members.

Conduct of meetings

8.18 The Executive Board shall meet at least six times a year. Meetings shall be chaired by the Party Chairman or, in the Chairman's absence, by a person that he delegates, which appointment shall be duly minuted.

8.19 Seven voting members of the Executive Board including the Party Chairman or, in the Chairman's absence, the person appointed under Article 8.18, or such Executive Board member appointed for that meeting as Chairman, shall constitute a quorum.

8.20 Any five or more voting members of the Executive Board may requisition an Emergency Meeting of the committee by notifying the Party Secretary in writing signed physically or digitally by each of them to hold one as soon as practicable. The document calling for such a meeting shall set out the business to be discussed and any motions to be put at that meeting. The agenda for the emergency meeting shall comprise this business and matters arising and no other.

Suspension / Expulsion from the Executive Board

8.21 The Executive Board may expel a member of the Executive Board from the committee. A member of the Executive Board may only be so expelled if a resolution to that effect is proposed and duly seconded and passed by not less than two-thirds of the voting members present. The quorum for such a proceeding shall be seven voting members of the Executive Board excluding the Chairman or acting Chairman. The following shall be grounds for expulsion / suspension from the Executive Board:

a) Conduct which in the opinion of the Executive Board has caused or is likely to cause the Party or its leadership to be brought into public disrepute.

b) Seriously breaching Executive Board or Party confidentiality.

c) Persistent failure to attend Executive Board meetings without good cause.

d) Unbecoming conduct in the course of Executive Board meetings.

e) Conduct which in the opinion of the Executive Board amounts to an abuse of position, or harassment or bullying of a fellow member of the Executive Board or an employee of the Party whether paid or unpaid.

8.22 The member against whom such a motion is proposed shall be given no less than seven days’ notice in writing of the meeting. He shall be entitled to attend, to address and vote at the meeting. He may make written representations to the meeting. He may also question any member or other witness whose evidence is considered by the Executive Board as being relevant to the issue on the same basis as any other party and may call witnesses on his own behalf on the same basis as obtained during the case against him.

8.23 If the member against whom such a motion is proposed cannot attend the meeting, he must be given a reasonable opportunity to attend on a subsequent occasion. Provided that he has been given reasonable notice of such rearranged meeting, the Executive Board may proceed to deal with the matter in his absence if the Executive Board is of the opinion that, in all the circumstances, it would be fair, reasonable and just to do so and that he has had reasonable opportunity to attend. No confidence motions

8.24.1 A motion of no confidence in the Party Leader may be proposed by the Party membership through the presentation of a petition containing the names and membership credentials of at least 10% of the Party membership or 5,000 members, whichever being the greater, to the Party Chairman. The Party Chairman shall arrange a vote on the motion by the Party’s membership using the Party’s digital voting platform to occur 14 days after the receipt of the petition. In order for the motion to pass, member participation must exceed 10% or 5,000 members, whichever being the greater, and no fewer than 50% of those participating shall vote in favour of the motion.

8.24.2 In the event of a motion of no confidence in the Party Leader being passed by the membership, the Party Secretary shall announce a leadership election to be held within 6 weeks.

Electoral cycle

8.25 In the event of an Executive Board election with more than four vacancies, successful candidates other than the top four shall be elected for terms of two years or one year to preserve the three-year electoral cycle, but these terms of office may be extended to not more than 3 years should further Executive Board vacancies occur.

Officers

8.26.1 The Executive Board shall also appoint the following Officers hereunder.

8.26.2 A General Secretary who shall:

a) formally convene meetings of the Executive Board and its sub-committees and notify members thereof;

b) create and maintain appropriate administrative records with appropriate backup and archiving;

c) act as Secretary to the Executive Board;

d) maintain accurate records and minutes of meetings and decisions of the Executive Board and its sub-committees;

e) ensure that Minutes and records are appropriately signed;

f) maintain and make available for distribution rules and other decisions made by the Executive Board;

g) organise and conduct Executive Board elections subject to Executive Board Rules;

h) maintain records of membership of the Executive Board and its sub-committees.

8.26.3 A Nominating Officer, as required by the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, who shall control the registered Party descriptions and emblems and be responsible for the appointment of Deputy Nominating Officers as appropriate. The Nominating Officer shall be appointed by the Party Leader.

8.27 The Executive Board may from time to time create such further posts as it deems necessary for the more efficient exercise of its duties under this Constitution and appoint persons thereto.

8.28 The Executive Board may from time to time invite any person it deems appropriate to attend any Executive Board meeting in whole or in part.

9. THE PARTY LEADER

Status

9.1 Under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 all registered parties must appoint a Party Leader. The Party Leader shall give political direction to the Party and shall be responsible for the development of the Party’s policies with the agreement of the Party membership, via the use of the Party’s internal Direct Democracy programme “4D Direct”.

9.2 The Party Leader may, at his discretion, form such advisory groups as he deems appropriate to advise him on any matter pertinent to the exercise of his functions, and will inform the Executive Board of the membership of such groups.

9.2.1 The Party Leader:

a) shall have the right to be a full member of all sub-committees and working groups set up by the Executive Board;

b) shall appoint a Party Chairman and members of the Executive Board;

c) shall make or approve national statements of the Party's policies and the manner of their communication; and

d) may make such other appointments as he thinks fit.

9.2.2 Election for the post of Party Leader shall be by way of the 4D Direct voting platform, with eligible participation being that of all paid up members of the Party “in good standing” on the date when the election is called.

Term of office

9.3 The Leader's term of office shall run for four years. This term may be extended for such time as may be deemed necessary upon the Executive Board passing a motion by a two-thirds majority to enable the Leader to stay in post in order to fight an imminent General Election or European Election, but in such event the period of extension shall be for no more than one year. The Party Leader may be elected for successive terms.

Election

9.4 A leadership election shall be called:

a) in the event of the Party Leader's death, incapacity or resignation; or

b) on the passing of a vote of no confidence in the Party Leader by the Party membership; or

c) upon the Party Leader's completion of his term of office.Such election shall be held within 90 days of the completion of the Leader's term of office.

9.5 The Executive Board may from time to time as it deems appropriate make rules for the calling and conduct of elections for the post of Party Leader, with proposed changes to existing methods requiring majority vote of the Party membership.

9.6 A Party Leader shall communicate his decision to resign in writing to the Party Chairman, who must then summon an emergency meeting of the Executive Board within 14 days.

9.7 If there is only one valid nomination for the post of Party Leader the candidate so nominated shall be declared elected as Party Leader without the need for a ballot. Any contested election for the leadership shall be decided by a simple majority of the votes cast, where there are fewer than four candidates contesting the election. In the case of four or more candidates contesting the election, there shall be two rounds of voting in which the three candidates with the highest number of votes in the first round, qualify for the second round. Where there are fewer than five candidates contesting a two-round election, only two candidates shall qualify for the second round. Those eligible to vote shall be Full Members “in good standing” of the Party on the date when the election is called.

9.8 When a vacancy in the leadership occurs due to the Party Leader's death, incapacity, resignation or removal following a vote of no confidence, the procedure for a leadership election shall be initiated by the Party Secretary.

Deputy Leader

9.9 The Party Leader may from time to time appoint a Full Member of the Party “in good standing” to be Deputy Leader. The Deputy Leader shall carry out such duties as the Party Leader shall assign. In the event of the incapacity or unavailability of the Party Leader, the Deputy Leader shall not assume the Constitutional powers and duties of the Party Leader unless authorised to do so by a majority vote of the Executive Board.

9.10 Where a vacancy in the Party Leadership occurs unexpectedly, the Executive Board shall within fourteen days appoint an Interim Leader to lead the Party until a Leadership election takes place. Where an Interim Leader is appointed, the Party shall inform the Electoral Commission of the change within the statutory timeframe, as per s24(4) of PPERA. Such Interim Leader shall have all the powers of the Party Leader under this Constitution as if he had been elected to that post.

10. THE PARTY CHAIRMAN

Status and duties

10.1 The Party Chairman shall be an ex officio member of the Executive Board if not already an elected member of it. The Chairman will be entitled only to a casting vote whether or not he is an elected member of the Executive Board. The Party Chairman may, notwithstanding his ex officio membership of the Executive Board, be a full-time employee of the Party.

10.2 The Party Chairman shall chair meetings of the Executive Board, the Annual Business Meeting, Annual Conference and such Extraordinary General Meetings as may be called. The Party Chairman shall be responsible for maintaining accurate databases of membership and for safeguarding such databases within the terms of data protection legislation.

Vice-Chairman

10.3 The Party Chairman may, with the agreement of the Party Leader and of the Executive Board, appoint a Vice Chairman from amongst the voting members of the Executive Board who may, in the absence of the Chairman, chair the Executive Board. The Vice Chairman may act generally in the place of the Chairman if the Chairman is absent for any period over two weeks or is incapacitated through illness or is otherwise unable to undertake the duties of Chairman. The Chairman may from time to time delegate to the Vice Chairman such duties as he sees fit. A Vice Chairman acting in the place of the Party Chairman shall have only the same voting powers as the Chairman.

Responsibilities

10.4 The Party Chairman shall have overall responsibility for administration and direction of the Party organisation. He shall be responsible for ensuring that all efforts are made to have an active and properly constituted organisation of the Party in every constituency, financially able to support a parliamentary election campaign.

10.5 The Party Chairman may make such administrative appointments as he sees fit and may recommend to the Executive Board the creation of paid administrative posts. The Party Chairman shall, from time to time, report to the Executive Board on Party, branch and constituency activity or ensure that a report is made by an appointed Party officer, as appropriate, on such activity.

11. SEPARATION OF OFFICE

11.1 The offices of Party Leader, Party Treasurer, Party Secretary, Party Chairman, Vice Chairman and General Secretary shall each be held by a different individual.

12. STANDING AND TEMPORARY COMMITTEES

12.1 The standing committees set up by the Executive Board shall include a Finance Committee, a Discipline Committee, a Standing Orders Committee and a Policy Committee. The Executive Board may from time to time establish other committees as it deems necessary.

Finance Committee

12.2 The Finance Committee shall be chaired by the Party Treasurer. Its responsibility shall be to oversee the management of the Party's finances and to appoint auditors.

Discipline Committee

12.3 The Discipline Committee shall be chaired by the Party Secretary and shall comprise in addition either two or four voting members of the Executive Board. Any appeal panel formed for hearing appeals from disciplinary hearings or membership exclusions shall be composed of an independent Chairman and either two or four other persons independent of the Executive Board.

12.4 The Discipline Committee shall have responsibility for conducting and arranging for all matters relating to discipline under this Constitution. The Executive Board may make rules as to the manner of selection of the panel members of the Disciplinary Committee and of appeal panels.

Conference Organisation

12.5 The Party Chairman will have the responsibility for all matters relating to organisation of the Party Conference, including the selection of motions for debate.

13. DISCIPLINE

Jurisdiction

13.1 The Discipline Committee of the Executive Board shall have jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to Party Discipline. The Executive Board may from time to time as it deems appropriate make Rules for the composition of discipline panels and management of matters of discipline and appeals, for the conduct of hearings and appeals under Article 11 and for the procedure and evidence to be used by the Committee.

13.2 All Disciplinary hearings and appeals shall be conducted with proper regard for the rules of natural justice to ensure that any member subject to such proceedings receives a fair hearing at each stage of the disciplinary or appeals procedure.

Complaints

13.3 Any member “in good standing” may refer the conduct of any other member to the General Secretary who shall act in accordance with the rules made under this Article and the rules of natural justice.

13.4 Thereafter the Party Secretary shall likewise act in accordance with the rules made under Article 13.1 and the rules of natural justice.

Remedies

13.5 Upon the conclusion of any Disciplinary Hearing the Discipline Committee may:

a) issue oral or written advice to the Respondent Member as to future conduct;

b) give the Respondent Member a written caution as to future behaviour;

c) suspend the Respondent Member from attending constituency association meetings for a specified period;

d) suspend the Respondent Member from membership of the Party for a specified period;

e) suspend the Respondent Member from elected Party office and / or candidature for elective office for a specified period;

f) expel the Respondent Member from membership for a specified period or permanently;

g) take any other reasonable and proportionate action that it deems to be warranted by any particular circumstances;

h) take no action; or

i) if the member is elected to public office, remove the Party Whip.

The Discipline Committee shall at all times exercise its powers with proper regard for the principle of proportionality. The Party Secretary shall provide a report of all disciplinary hearings and appeals to the Executive Board upon their conclusion.

Right of appeal

13.6 Any member disciplined under Article 11.5 shall have the right of appeal against such order as is made thereunder. Such appeal shall be dealt with in accordance with the Rules of the Party concerning Discipline.

13.7 The Executive Board may cause any disciplinary panel to be chaired by an Independent Chairman and may appoint such a Chairman who need not be a member of the Party. The Executive Board shall cause an appeal hearing to be chaired by an Independent Chairman and may appoint such a Chairman who need not be a member of the Party. No person who sat on a disciplinary hearing at first instance may be a member of the appeal panel for the matter at hand.

13.8 In addition to the Rules mentioned in Article 13.1 the Executive Board may from time to time as it deems appropriate make rules as to the qualifications required for appointment as an Independent Chairman.

Emergency powers

13.9 In cases of exceptional gravity and urgency the Party Chairman may, of his own volition, exercise any of the powers set out in Article 13.5 except that under 13.5 (f) above in respect of any member, with due regard to proportionality. The Party Chairman shall, within twenty-four hours of so acting, notify the Party Secretary of his action.

13.10 Upon being so notified the Party Secretary shall convene as soon as possible an Emergency Disciplinary Panel composed of himself (or an independent chairman appointed in accordance with the rules made under Article 13.7 and 13.8) and not more than two voting members of the Executive Board.

13.11 The Emergency Panel may:

a) confirm the order of the Party Chairman; or

b) confirm the order of the Party Chairman but order that the matter be placed before an ordinary Discipline Panel as soon as possible for a full hearing; or

c) make any order permitted by this Constitution; or

d) revoke the order of the Party Chairman on the grounds that the action was either:

(i) inappropriate, having regard to the circumstances; or

(ii) excessive, having regard to all the circumstances; or

(iii) not supported by the facts. In that event, the Party Chairman may within fourteen days of the findings of the Emergency Disciplinary Panel renew the complaint under the ordinary disciplinary procedure.

13.12 It shall be no defence to any allegation laid under this Article that the Party member was ignorant of the Constitution or any Rule made thereunder.

14. CANDIDATES

Approved candidates lists

14.1.1 The Party shall establish lists of approved candidates for elections to public office. The Executive Board may from time to time make such rules as it deems fit for the establishment of such approved lists. Persons holding elective office shall have no automatic right to reselection or to a place on such approved candidates lists.

14.1.2 Any person who seeks to be placed on such approved candidate lists shall make a written application and, without exception, shall in such application make a full disclosure of any material fact, political or personal (whether or not the material fact arose before or after this constitution came into force), that has or may have a bearing on their suitability for selection as a candidate and shall provide full details in writing of the same to the Party Chairman. The Executive Board shall issue guidance on disclosure.

Duty of disclosure

14.1.3 Once selected, candidates remain, without reservation or qualification, under a continuing duty fully to disclose to the Party Chairman any material fact, political or personal (whether or not the material fact arose before or after this constitution came into force) that has or may have a bearing on their suitability to stand as a candidate and shall provide full written details of the same to the Party Chairman.

14.1.4 Any failure to disclose such a material fact shall be a matter in respect of which disciplinary proceedings under Article 11 hereof may be initiated against the candidate. The Party Leader or the Party Chairman shall automatically refer such a matter to the General Secretary and Party Secretary who may then act under Article 11 and the rules made thereunder.

Suspension and removal

14.2.1 The Party Chairman may suspend any candidate from the approved list or remove any candidate from a list of candidates to be nominated or having been nominated, if, in his opinion the inclusion and possible election of that candidate will or may damage the reputation or interests of the Party.

14.2.2 The fact of such suspension shall be notified forthwith to (a) the Executive Board and (b) the candidate.

14.2.3 Thereafter the Executive Board may proceed to determine whether or not the candidate shall be removed from or restored to the list of approved candidates or remain nominated by the Party.

14.2.4 Once a candidate is finally removed from the list of approved candidates or his nomination is withdrawn according to law, he automatically loses all rights to be the selected candidate and the association, branch or region concerned shall select a new candidate.

14.3 A candidate who is removed from the approved candidates list or whose nomination is withdrawn shall have the right to an appeal according to rules made by the Executive Board pertaining to candidates.

Selection of candidates

14.4 The Executive Board may from time to time as it deems appropriate make rules concerning all matters relating to the selection, training, nomination, ranking, conduct, removal and organisation of candidates.

14.5 All candidates standing on behalf of the Party in any election to public office must be paid-up members of the Party “in good standing” and on the Party's list of approved candidates, held at Head Office.

14.6 In the case of a by-election (other than local government by-elections and other by-elections to local public office) the selection of a candidate will be made by the Executive Board in consultation with the constituency association or branch.

14.7 The selection of candidates for local government by-elections and other by-elections to local public office shall be the responsibility of constituency associations or branches. The Party Chairman may at any time refer the selection to the Executive Board.

Codes of Conduct

14.8 The Executive Board may from time to time as it deems necessary and appropriate make:

a) Codes of Conduct for those holding elective office in the Party's name;

b) rules defining the nature of the Party Whip, the circumstances in which the Party Whip may be removed and the consequences and the sanctions which may be applied when the Party Whip is removed or the elected member resigns the Party Whip.

14.9 It shall be the duty of any member of the Party who is elected to any elective office:

a) to abide at all times by any such Code of Conduct and the Rules drawn up under Article 14.8;

b) at all times to behave in a manner becoming to such elective officeAny breach of such Code of Conduct, Rules or failure to observe Article 14.9 (b) may be treated as a matter subject to disciplinary suspension.

14.10 The Executive Board shall refer any breach of any Code of Conduct or Rules made under Article 14.8 to the Disciplinary Committee according to the provisions of Article 13 whereupon those provisions shall be followed as if the matter was an ordinary matter pertaining to discipline.

14.11 Notwithstanding any legal waivers, immunities, or dispensations granted by virtue of a candidate’s election to public office, the Executive Board shall have the right to regard all undertakings signed by candidates prior to their election or subsequent to it as morally binding and binding under the Rules of the Party and shall have the right to remove the Party’s whip from, deselect, refuse to reselect or to expel from the Party any member who is in breach of any such undertaking, under this Article.

15. THE CONSTITUTION: APPROVAL AND AMENDMENT

15.1.1 This amended constitution shall come into force immediately following a declaration of its approval by members voting via 4D Direct, according to the requirements of the constitution in force at that time.

15.1.2 Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed and made at any time in accordance with this Article. Such amendments shall only come into force after a ballot of the membership has been held in which not less than two-thirds of members voted in favour of them.

15.1.2.2 Amendments to the Constitution may only be proposed that are consistent with the foundational values of the Party as expressed in the Core Principles described in Article 2.1 of the Party’s original Constitution, namely those which:

a) promote aspiration, achievement and self-reliance

b) support and defend those in genuine need

d) tend towards diminution in the role of the State

e) tend towards reduction in taxation of all types

f) promote effective defence of the Realm from enemies foreign and domestic without compromise to the liberties constitutionally afforded to British subjects

g) preserve and strengthen the rights, liberties and customs of the British people in accordance with our nation’s ancient Constitution

h) preserve and defend the Judeo-Christian foundations of our Common Law and promote the principle of equality of all persons under the law

15.1.3 Such amendments shall come into force seven days after the result of such an affirmative vote is declared.

15.2.1 Such a ballot shall be held:

a) if proposed by the Executive Board and approved by a two-thirds majority of those voting; or

b) at the request of ten percent of the Party membership, or 5,000 members, whichever is the lesser.

15.3 The Executive Board shall have the right to put separate and distinct elements or clauses amending the Constitution to separate votes for the approval of the membership. Proposed amendments to the Constitution shall only be carried where a two-thirds majority of members voting vote in favour of the amendment, and where a minimum of 10% of the Party membership, or 5,000 members, whichever is the lesser, participate in the vote via the Party's digital voting system.

15.4 Such amendments shall come into force seven days after the result of such an affirmative vote is declared.

16. DISSOLUTION OF THE PARTY

Initiation of Dissolution Process

16.1.1 The process for dissolving the Party may be initiated by a resolution of the Party’s Executive Committee signed by not less than two-thirds (2/3) of its members.

16.1.2 The resolution or petition must state the reasons for the proposed dissolution and provide a clear outline of the steps that will be taken to manage the Party’s assets, liabilities, and obligations.

Notice and Consultation

16.2.1 Upon initiation of the dissolution process, all members of the Party must be given written notice of the proposal. This notice must include the reasons for dissolution, details of the proposed timeline, and the arrangements for managing the Party’s assets.

16.2.3 A consultation period of not less than 28 days must be observed, during which members can submit their views on the proposed dissolution. The Executive Committee must consider these views before proceeding.

Approval of Dissolution

16.3.1 A Special General Meeting (SGM) must be called to discuss the dissolution proposal. The SGM must be attended by at least 75% of the Party’s membership or their appointed proxies.

16.3.2 The dissolution of the Party must be approved by a supermajority vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the members present and voting at the SGM.

16.3.3 If the proposal is approved, the Party shall cease to accept new members or donations and shall only conduct activities necessary for the orderly winding up of its affairs.

Winding Up Process

16.4.1 The Executive Committee shall be responsible for ensuring the orderly winding up of the Party’s affairs, including the settlement of all outstanding liabilities and the disposal of any remaining assets in accordance with the Party’s stated aims and objectives.

16.4.2 Any remaining assets after the settlement of liabilities shall be distributed to an organisation(s) with similar objectives to those of the Party, as determined by the Executive Committee or as specified in the resolution for dissolution.

16.4.3 A final report on the dissolution process, including a detailed account of the settlement of liabilities and distribution of assets, shall be submitted to the Party’s Executive Board and to the Electoral Commission.

Notification to the Electoral Commission

16.5.1 Upon the completion of the dissolution process, the Party must notify the Electoral Commission in writing, providing all required documentation as per the Electoral Commission’s regulations.

16.5.2 The Party shall be considered dissolved upon the confirmation of the receipt of the notification by the Electoral Commission.

17. PARTY RULE BOOK

17.1 The Party Rulebook shall be published on the Party’s website.17.2 Any Rules made under this Constitution shall be read in conjunction with it and where the Rules are repugnant to the Constitution, the latter shall prevail.

18. ADOPTION AND REVISIONS

18.1 This Constitution was adopted on the 2nd day of February 2018 by the following founding members of the Party: John Rees-Evans, Trevor Coult, Gavin Felton, James Dalton, Tony Knight, Jamie Ross McKenzie, Andrew Price, and Paula Allen. There have been no material changes or revisions since that date. Subsequent amendments have been minor in nature and reflect (a) requests by the Party membership to amend the Party name, and (b) address identification of grammatical, syntactical and typological errors.