Democratic Party (UK, 1998)
Political party in the United Kingdom / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 (1998-11-18) |
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]