All aboard the Gravy Train!

Jamie_the_Hutt

Date: Thursday, 04 Apr 2013, 8:28 AM | Message # 1

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Being frustrated with the state of todays politics my chums and I just put together an application and mailed it off to the Electoral Commission. This means that we have the splendidly splendid position of (as soon as the check clears) having a Bona Fide political party FOREVER, literally noone else can take my name (not disclosing said name as someone could post by a faster mail charge and get it first).

Anyhow. It's a Centrist secular democratic (not in american terms democratic) party that refuses to commit to traditional definitions of left and right. Espousing new and grand ideas and policies to help revolutionize the political landscape of the 20th Century. Key to the party's platform is defying any notion of Egalitarianism being "Leftist" or "Socialist", it's a party which steers for the choice that believes in limited redistribution of disproportionate capital (that which is an order of magnitude more than anyone ever could need or really even want except for greed's sake), bank levies at a reasonable rate, higher but more reasonable business taxation systems and a firm line on preserving the NHS, Welfare State etc. Taxation in general needs reworking extensively, especially property taxes, income tax and council tax. All taxation ought to be linked to the value of what it is taxing. We would put in place a 49% income tax for those earning over £250,000 (currently 45% and less than the scary number of 50%).

We support an entrenched bill of rights (if not constitution) along the lines of the ECHR.

We believe every citizen is entitled to protection, economic wellbeing, justice and healthcare from the state. That is to say that we believe at the point it is tenable a tax free "citizens income" that is that all Adult citizens (satisfying a residence requirement) should eventually (economics allowing) automatically receive a basic income (slightly above current JSA) allowing you to have the basics from the state. Mankind strives, and so people will end up working without the fear of poverty. Yes, perhaps some people might idle on it (as they do now) but I don't believe anyone wants to live "hand to mouth" for a long duration when there is no need to. The first 25k (as now) would be extremely low in income taxes ideally, meaning that people are encouraged to get basic jobs allowing them to have disposable income which helps revitalize the economy. Thus people can work not to survive, but for uplifting motives, self betterment and the improvement of all mankind.

We will endeavor to avoid scandals, and try and be as up front as possible about them if they occur (no, we don't exclude the possibility a member might nob someone's wife or some lady/gentleman of the night, but really it's not something we see as effecting their judgement or ability to function in the party).

We respect the rights of the Scots to choose if they wish to have Independence or not, however, we would propose investigating the implementation of a federal system of Government in the UK, with greater autonomy for historic regions (including Cornwall, the North etc) if they wish, or the option to remain with their current status. However, olive branches should be left for any seceding nations to allow them to return with minimal egg on their faces.

We're pretty much the only ones out there who want to close down the wealth divide (now approaching victorian levels). We support a Britain that works efficiently but also cares deeply and individually for it's citizens. We would propose a number of welfare options for all adult UK resident British citizens, that would ensure a complete safety net for everyone, regardless of class - from there, things can progress with the rich and poor all having a stake in society and the economic vitality of Britain in a very direct sense, it also then removes some of the tension around the calls to raise minimum wage (as all workers will have this extra small source of income).

Secular in approach to religion, it is open (naturally) to all races and faiths so long as they're able to accept the fundamental separation of Church and State required for a functioning and healthy democracy. The party will oppose fundamentalist christian inroads into politics or education, just as it will oppose legal recognition of Sharia law. Each individual to judged by deed, not by notional creed or sect. Equally, this party will be fundamentally in favour of excluding the Lords Spiritual in the House of Lords (unelected churchmen have no role in the Legislature). The party eventually seeks to withdraw the formal constitutional status of the Church of England and remove an intrinsic christian bias from our multicultural multiethnic society.

Lords Reform is something we've also already agreed on, basically. We're fine with lifetime appointees sitting but they should be appointed independently of the party system and damaging (cash for peerages etc) scandals; and that these independently appointed "specialist lords" should make up no more than 20% of the chamber. The rest we would propose are elected each ten years, with a rolling system of one election per five where 50% stand. The majority of power to grant honours and titles should be vested in an independent body or by election.

The Civil List requires a transparent public inquiry, and we would also form a fully independent public commission to evaluate the costs and benefits of the monarchy which the party would abide by the results of. They would be encouraged to "blue sky think" and provide a variety of alternatives to the current inefficient system (such as that of Denmark where the Queen has a good salary and security provided by the government but does not own the palaces, crowns etc). The party is not notionally opposed on principle to a monarch as titular head of State, but the crypto-constitutional role ought to be drawn out, as ought a level of the frippery.

Furthermore, we're mindful that by the time we have a hope in hell of getting near power, the party does not yet take a definitive view on the UK's economic status and possibilities for improving it. If the party in ten years is able to get near Government, then we would be open to considering any measures available within law to reverse the economic stagnation we've seen the last thee years.

Trident II would be withdrawn, as would 3/4 of the UK's nuclear arsenal over the next 10 years. The policy would be reviewed after these ten years. It's our belief that ICBMs are an outmoded, outdated weapon of mass destruction that are so devastating in their impact and so indiscriminate in their effects that they are not an appropriate weapon for a civilized people to use. We would however maintain 60 Nuclear Warheads to be launched via Cruise Missile (realistically our sub fleet is a second strike force anyway when there aint gonna be much air defense around), in the even that a Tactical nuclear weapon is required for a limited use (perhaps to demolish a mountain pass to prevent an extreme flood etc).

We're broadly in favour of maintaining strong but appropriate national defenses, and strongly support the traditional bulwark of the British Isles, the Royal Navy and propose increasing it's budget to allow it to deploy more ships - showing we would have the ability to project power but not the ability to conquer; the days of British conquests of other nations are in a more uncivilized past age.

Foreign policy wise we'd be in favour of setting aside differences from the past and attempting to refresh relations with Europe and America alike. With the EU-US FTA coming up for discussion soon, it's only logical to stay in the UK. However, for the time being the country would stay out of the Euro, but would set a roadmap for membership linked to a more tightly linked Europe-wide economic management system so that the currency is controlled centrally and not out of 23 different capitals.

My chums and I's first Manifesto attemptette.

Jace_Varitek

Date: Thursday, 04 Apr 2013, 10:09 AM | Message # 2

Generalissimo

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Just bring a sweater and be back by dinner.

Jace Varitek
Manager/Administrator from January 2003 to Present
My recent posts here, pre-2009 archives here

"When my information changes, I change my opinion. What do you do, sir?"
—John Maynard Keynes

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