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MISSION STATEMENT
The UK Independence Party is committed to withdrawing Britain from
the European Union. As the debate on the new Constitution has now made
clear, the EU agenda is complete political union with all the main
functions of national government taken over by the bureaucratic
institutions of Brussels.
UKIP believes that this is not only bad for Britain's economy and
prosperity, but it is an alien system of government that will ultimately
prove to be totally unacceptable to the British people. UKIP would
replace Britain's membership of the European Union with the kind of
agreements on free trade and co-operation that we thought we had signed
up to when we first joined what was then called the European Economic
Community..
The UK Independence Party is the fourth largest political party in the
UK. We currently have 9 members of the European Parliament who use their
positions exclusively to expose the true nature of the EU and to
campaign for British withdrawal. Our party has a full range of policies
including a firm line on immigration. A policy of non-discrimination is
enshrined in our constitution.
UKIP
CONSTITUTION
1 NAME
The official name of the Party shall be the UK Independence Party, or
UKIP, or Independence, legally known as the United Kingdom Independence
Party, hereinafter referred to as 'the Party'.
2 AIMS
2.1 The principal aim of the Party is that the United Kingdom ("UK")
shall again be governed by laws made to suit its own needs by its own
Parliament, which must be directly and solely accountable to the
electorate of the UK. The second aim is to preserve the integrity of the
UK. To this intent the Party's objects are to withdraw the UK from the
European Union and to resist membership of any other international
organisation, or grouping, the membership of which is incompatible with
the above aims and to oppose any form of government within the UK, which
may undermine its integrity.
2.2 On withdrawal from the EU, the Party will seek free trade agreements
with the EU and other countries (and /or trade blocs.)
2.3 The Party will be guided in its activities by the principle of
non-discrimination, including non-racism and non-sectarianism, and will
be guided by the principle that all people are equal before the law.
2.4 The Party will develop a full range of domestic and foreign
policies.
2.5 The Party will develop and promote legislation to protect the
British people from any future Parliament giving away its powers of
governance.
2.6 The Party will seek to return authority and responsible autonomy to
all levels of local government; it rejects the imposition of regional
government and other EU-driven regional structures.
3 ACTIVITIES
3.1 In furtherance of these aims, the Party shall take part in all
democratic electoral processes. It shall contest Westminster and
European parliamentary elections, parliamentary by-elections, and local
elections, elections for the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh and Northern
Irish Assemblies and regional elections.
3.2 Although the Party seeks to free the UK from all the institutions of
the European Union, by bringing about its withdrawal from the European
Union itself, it may, until that aim is achieved, contest elections to
the European Parliament and its successful candidates will take up the
seats it has won and fulfil their obligations to their constituents.
3.3 The Party may also work together with other democratic parties and
organisations for particular purposes consistent with its aims.
3.4 In the furtherance of its aims, the Party may:
3.4.1 raise funds and invite and receive contributions from any person
or persons whatsoever by way of loan, subscription, donation or
otherwise, within the limits established by electoral law
3.4.2 publish, with or without charge, any items it sees fit
3.4.3 employ and pay people to supervise, organise and carry out the
Party's aims
3.4.4 purchase, lease or rent property necessary to carry out the
Party's aims and make arrangements for the management of any property
acquired
3.4.5 invest any monies of the Party not immediately required, in
accordance with the Trustee Act of 1925 and
3.4.6 do all such other lawful things as are necessary for the
attainment of its ends.
4 MEMBERSHIP
4.1 Membership is open to UK citizens and resident foreign nationals
over the age of 16 years who share its aims and who are not members of
any other political party or organisation membership of which the
National Executive Committee ("NEC") has declared is incompatible with
membership of the Party. Associate membership may be made available if
thought appropriate to persons not qualified under the preceding
sentences.
4.2 If a member of UKIP subsequently joins such a party or organisation
which the NEC has declared to be incompatible with membership of the
Party, or if the member is found to be a member of such a party or
organisation then their membership of the Party will be automatically
revoked.
4.3 If a member of UKIP is a member of an organisation or party which
has been declared to be incompatible with the membership of UKIP by the
NEC during the currency of their membership of the Party then that
member will be given 28 days within which to leave the said incompatible
organisation or party. If he or she fails to provide evidence of such
withdrawal to the Party Secretary within 28 days his membership of the
Party will be automatically revoked.
4.4 Members must maintain their subscriptions.
4.5 Members shall accept the Party's constitution and rules made in
accordance with this constitution and do nothing to undermine the
reputation of the Party or to bring the Party into public disrepute. Nor
shall they act in a manner intended to cause, or actually causing,
damage to the Party's interests including by breaching confidentiality.
4.6 Where constituency associations are established, membership shall be
of the local Parliamentary constituency association and, by affiliation
of the constituency association, of the national Party.
4.7 The NEC may accept affiliation from other organisations. Such
affiliated bodies will not enjoy voting rights.
4.8 Special Interest Groups may be given formal recognition by the Party
only if they are formally brought to the attention of the NEC and the
NEC does not proscribe them.
4.9 Members shall receive a membership card and the Party's newsletter.
They shall be entitled to vote in all relevant internal Party elections.
4.10 Members are in " good standing" if their subscriptions are up to
date and they are not subject to any suspension or exclusion either from
elected office or from standing as a candidate of any sort.
5 CONSTITUENCY
ASSOCIATIONS
5.1 The Party shall seek to establish an association in every UK
Parliamentary constituency. Constituency associations will affiliate to
the national Party by resolution at their first official meeting.
5.2 As a first duty constituency associations shall prepare, organise
and fight elections within their constituency and shall nominate and
campaign for a UKIP candidate in all UK Parliamentary elections and in
as many local government elections as shall be expedient.
5.3 The constituency association has the responsibility for
administering its own financial and other affairs subject to the
constituency rule book approved by the NEC from time to time including
the election of local officers and the selection of candidates for UK
parliamentary and local government elections, such selection to be made
in accordance with rules established by the NEC from time to time.
5.4 Where an organisation covers more than one parliamentary
constituency it shall be known as a branch and paragraph 5.2 shall apply
to it as if it were a constituency association.
5.5 Where a constituency association or branch has not been established,
it will be the responsibility of the Party Chairman, directly or by
delegation, to administer the Party in that area until a branch or
association is established.
6 THE BUSINESS MEETING AND
PARTY CONFERENCE
6.1 The Party shall hold both a Business Meeting and an
Annual Conference annually at places and times decided by the NEC. Only
paid-up Party members may vote at the Business Meeting and at the Annual
Conference.
6.2 The Business Meeting will be open only to paid-up Party members. Its
business will be to receive reports from the national officers; to elect
members of the Discipline Committee (who will serve until the next
Business Meeting) receive and vote on the Party's accounts and to
determine the membership fee.
6.3 All motions at the Business Meeting may be passed by a simple
majority of those voting. Procedures for submitting nominations and
motions at the Business Meeting shall be determined by the NEC from time
to time.
6.4 The Conference proper will be open to Party members, associate
members and guests. Its business will include the consideration of
motions on Party policy and strategy.
6.5 Motions carried shall have advisory force and will be listed for
discussion by the NEC within 3 months of the motion having been carried.
6.6 Motions for debate at the Conference must be submitted in accordance
with the procedures determined by the NEC from time to time.
6.7 The NEC may also summon other special conferences for specific
purposes, which will be open to all paid-up Party members. The NEC shall
determine procedures for convening and conducting such conferences from
time to time.
6.8 The Party Secretary shall call an Extraordinary General Meeting,
giving members a minimum of 28 days' notice, if requested to do so by
formal applications from twenty per cent of the Party's duly registered
and properly constituted constituency associations or branches
(hereinafter called "branches") drawn from at least four regions. A
branch is deemed to be duly registered only if it has been registered by
the Party HQ (following approval by the NEC) at least six months before
the date of application. Each formal application shall include a written
statement, signed by the branch chairman, verifying that the application
is supported by a majority of members attending a properly convened
Extraordinary General Meeting of the branch, and will be accompanied by
a cheque, made out to UKIP Head Office account, for £100 (or such other
amount as shall be determined by the NEC from time to time) drawn
against the branch bank account, as a contribution towards the cost of
the meeting. Such applications shall state the business to be dealt with
and the conference agenda shall be restricted to such business and
matters arising.
7 THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE (NEC)
7.1 The NEC is the Party's highest management committee, entrusted with
the duty of ensuring that the Party achieves its stated objectives in an
efficient and judicious manner. The NEC is responsible for the Party's
funds, structure and publicity. The NEC may advise the Party Leader on
political matters. The NEC shall approve the Party's final manifesto.
7.2. The NEC may institute a postal ballot of Party members on
amendments to the Party constitution, provided that a motion to do so is
approved by a two-thirds majority of NEC members present and voting.
7.3 The NEC shall appoint a Party Treasurer. The Party Treasurer may be
a serving member of the NEC, but need not be, in which case the
Treasurer shall become an ex-officio member without a vote at NEC
meetings.
7.4 The NEC shall appoint a Party Secretary. The Party Secretary may be
a serving member of the NEC but need not be, in which case the Secretary
shall become an ex-officio member without a vote at NEC meetings.
7.5 The NEC may establish temporary and standing committees for the
administration of the Party and the development of policy.
7.6 The NEC shall normally comprise of 12 members elected to the NEC,
the Party Leader and Party Chairman (who may be elected members),
together with two members who shall be selected in accordance with rules
to be made by the NEC from time to time from among the Party’s elected
representatives who receive in respect of their elected position
emoluments commensurate with full-time employment. The NEC may determine
that there may be ex-officio members. Ex-officio members shall not have
a vote.
7.7 Election to membership of the NEC shall be restricted to paid-up
members of the Party in good standing. These members shall neither be
paid employees of the Party nor any of the Party’s elected
representatives who receive in respect of their elected position
emoluments commensurate with full-time employment nor self employed
contractors for services either with the Party nor with any of the
elected representatives of the Party (provided that members who provide
paid professional advice or supply goods or services on a casual basis
to the Party or the Party's elected representatives from time to time
shall not be excluded from standing for election to the NEC. Any dispute
in relation to the foregoing proviso shall be conclusively determined by
the NEC).
7.8 If at any time the Party membership of a serving NEC member shall be
suspended, that member shall automatically be suspended from the NEC and
shall not be entitled to resume his or her place on the NEC until after
the restoration of his or her Party membership. If at any time the Party
membership of a serving NEC member shall be revoked, that member shall
automatically be expelled from the NEC without the need for the NEC to
take any further action.
7.9 Members shall be elected for a term not exceeding 3 years and shall
be eligible for re-election at the completion of the 3-year term.
7.10 Elections to the NEC shall be conducted in accordance with rules
laid down by the NEC from time to time and shall take place annually on
a date to be announced, together with the number of vacancies and the
latest date for the receipt of nominations, in the issue of the Party
newsletter penultimate to the election. The election shall be by postal
ballot of members.
7.11 The election shall take place on the basis of the first past the
post system. Each eligible Party member may cast a number of votes up
to, but not exceeding, the number of vacancies and all votes shall be of
equal value.
7.12 The resignation of a member of the NEC shall either be evidenced in
writing and sent or given to the Party Chairman, or if given orally at
an NEC meeting it shall be minuted and those minutes shall be signed by
the chairman or secretary next to the entry relating to the resignation.
7.13 Should a vacancy occur between elections, the NEC may invite a
candidate from the immediately preceding NEC election to fill the
vacancy in accordance with the election rules for that election for a
term until the next annual elections when the position shall be filled
by election. Members joining the NEC in this way shall have the same
rights as elected members.
7.14 The NEC shall meet at least six times a year. Meetings shall be
chaired by the Party Chairman or, in the Chairman's absence, by the
Party Leader or, in the absence of both, by a member of the NEC
appointed by the NEC for that meeting only.
7.15 Seven voting members of the NEC constitute a quorum, except in the
circumstances outlined in paragraphs 7.18 and 7.19 below.
7.16. Any five or more voting members of the NEC may requisition an
emergency meeting of the committee by calling on the Party Secretary to
summon one as soon as practicable. They must state the business to be
discussed and any related motions to be put, and the agenda for the
emergency meeting shall comprise this business and matters arising and
no other.
7.17 Expulsion of a member of the NEC from the committee may be
undertaken only by a resolution to that effect passed by at least
two-thirds of the voting members present. These measures are in addition
to the automatic suspension/expulsion from the committee as per 7.7.2.
7.18 Grounds for expulsion/suspension from the NEC shall be the
following: -
1) Public opposition outside the NEC to measures duly approved by it if
it is considered that the said public opposition has caused or is likely
to cause the Party or its leadership to be brought into public
disrepute.
2) Breaching of NEC or Party confidentiality
3) Persistent non-attendance at its meetings without good cause.
4) Unbecoming conduct in the course of NEC meetings.
7.19 The quorum for a meeting where a disciplinary matter involving an
NEC member is to be heard shall be nine excluding the member who is the
subject of the motion.
7.20 The member against whom disciplinary action is taken by the NEC
must be given a reasonable opportunity to put his views to the NEC, and
also to question any member who has made allegations against him (which
are relevant to the action).
7.21 If the member against whom disciplinary action is to be taken by
the NEC is not at the meeting, he or she must be given a reasonable
opportunity to attend on a subsequent occasion. Action can only be taken
in his absence if the NEC is of the opinion that it would be fair and
reasonable to do so in all the circumstances.
7.22 The quorum for a meeting where a motion of no confidence in the
Party Leader is to be proposed before the NEC shall be nine excluding
the Party Leader. It shall require the affirmative vote of no less than
nine members to pass. The Party Leader must be in attendance or if he or
she is not in attendance he or she must have been given reasonable
notice within which to attend. The Party Leader must be given the
opportunity to address the meeting if he or she is present.
7.23 If the Party Leader shall be re-elected at an election following a
vote of no confidence in him by the NEC, elections shall be held for all
elected seats on the NEC no later than three months after the Party
Leader's re-election, the NEC members remaining in office until their
successors are elected.
7.24 In the event of an NEC election with more than five vacancies,
successful candidates other than the top five 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 NEC vacancies occur.
7.25 The NEC may authorise the establishment of other groups of members
or groups of constituency associations in furtherance of the aims of the
Party. These groups shall have responsibility for administering their
own financial and other affairs in accordance with the procedures set
down in the rules for the said groups.
8 THE PARTY LEADER
8.1 The Party Leader shall give political and administrative direction
to the Party. The Party Leader may appoint a political committee to
advise him with day to day political decision making. He or she will
inform the NEC of the membership of that committee.
8.2 The Party Leader shall be a member of the NEC enjoying full voting
rights and shall have the right to be a full member of all
sub-committees and working groups set up by the NEC; shall, subject to
the approval of the NEC, appoint a Party Chairman; may make such other
appointments as he or she thinks fit; and shall make or approve national
statements of the Party's policies and the manner of their
communication.
8.3 A postal ballot of all paid up members of the Party shall elect The
Party Leader. The Leader's term of office shall run for four years. This
term may be extended by the NEC passing a motion by a two-thirds
majority to enable the Leader to stay in post in order to fight a
General Election or European Election.
8.4 A leadership election shall be called in the event of the Party
Leader's death, incapacity or resignation; on the passing of a vote of
no confidence in the Party Leader by the NEC if this is endorsed by an
Extraordinary General Meeting of the Party; and on the Party Leader's
completion of his term of office.
8.5 Persons wishing to seek election to the post of Party Leader shall
pay to the Party funds a deposit equivalent to that demanded of
candidates in elections to the UK Parliament, such deposit being
returned to the candidate only if the said candidate obtain a percentage
of the votes case similar to that required for return of deposit in UK
Parliamentary elections. Nominations for the post of Party Leader shall
require the signature of a proposer and 50 assentors, all paid-up full
members of the Party who are not subject to disciplinary action, drawn
from at least 10 different constituency associations or branches. They
must be submitted in writing to the Party Secretary within the time
specified by him. A Party Leader wishing to resign must communicate this
decision in writing to the Party Chairman, who must then summon an
emergency meeting of the NEC.
8.6 If there is only one valid nomination for the post of Party Leader
the candidate nominated shall be declared 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. Those eligible to vote shall be
paid-up members of the Party 14 days before the last date for the
receipt of ballot papers.
8.7 When a vacancy in the leadership occurs due to the Party Leader's
death, incapacity or resignation the election procedure shall be
initiated by the Party Secretary.
9 THE PARTY TREASURER
9.1 A Party Treasurer shall be appointed by the NEC from
among full party members in good standing. The Party Treasurer's term of
office shall be annual; he or she may be removed before the end of his
term by a 2/3rds majority vote of the NEC. The Party Treasurer will be
an ex officio member of the NEC if not already a member of it. The Party
Treasurer does not hold voting rights on the NEC by virtue of his or her
office.
9.2 The Treasurer shall be responsible for managing the Party's
finances, for preparing annual accounts and presenting them for approval
at the Business Meeting which shall be held within the time required by
the Electoral Commission for reporting accounts by the Party. He or she
will carry out any other functions prescribed by statute in relation to
the finances and financial reporting of the Party. He or she will chair
the Finance Committee.
10 THE PARTY SECRETARY
10.1 The Party Secretary shall be appointed by the NEC from amongst full
Party members in good standing. The Secretary's term of office shall be
annual, he or she may be removed by a 2/3rds majority vote of the NEC.
He or she will be an ex officio member of the NEC if not already a
member of it. The Secretary does not hold voting rights on the NEC by
virtue of his or her office.
10.2 The Party Secretary is responsible for ensuring that the
administrative and other arrangements of the Party comply with all legal
requirements; for maintaining an up to date record of Party members for
national Party purposes; for the administration of leadership elections
and elections to the NEC (except when he or she is a candidate, when the
NEC shall nominate another of its members to carry out this task).
10.3 The Party Secretary shall chair the Committee on Standing Orders
and he or she will determine its composition.
11 THE PARTY CHAIRMAN
11.1 The Party Leader will appoint a Party Chairman, subject to the
approval of the NEC, from amongst full Party members in good standing.
The Chairman will be an ex officio member of the NEC if not already an
ordinary member of it. The Chairman will only be entitled to a casting
vote whether or not he or she is an elected member of the NEC.
11.2 The Party Chairman shall chair meetings of the NEC, the Annual
Business Meeting, Annual Conference and any Extraordinary General
Meeting that may be called.
11.3.1 The Party Chairman will be responsible for ensuring that all
efforts are made to have an active and properly constituted association
of the Party in every constituency, financially able to support a
parliamentary election campaign.
11.4 To that end, the Party Chairman may make such subsidiary
administrative appointments as he or she sees fit and may suggest to the
NEC the creation of paid administrative posts. The Party Chairman shall
report, or ensure that a report is made by an appointed Party officer,
(as appropriate), on branch activity.
11.5 The Party Chairman may, with the agreement of the Party Leader,
make the appointment of up to one Vice Chairman from full members in
good standing who may render assistance in his absence, and take over
such duties as the Party Chairman sees fit except for the chairing of
the NEC which will fall to the Party Leader in the absence of the
Chairman as per 7.14.
12 SEPARATION OF OFFICE
The offices of Party Leader, Treasurer, Party Secretary, Party Chairman
and Vice Chairman may only be held singly.
13 STANDING AND TEMPORARY
COMMITTEES
13.1 The standing committees set up by the NEC shall include a Finance
Committee, a Discipline Committee, a Committee on Standing Orders and a
Conference Committee.
13.2 The Finance Committee shall be chaired by the Party Treasurer. Its
responsibility will be to oversee the management of the Party's finances
and to appoint auditors.
13.3 The Discipline Committee shall comprise the Party Secretary and the
members elected for this purpose at the Party Business Meeting and shall
be chaired by the Party Secretary.
13.4 The Committee on Standing Orders shall be chaired by the Party
Secretary and will be responsible for making recommendations to the NEC
for maintaining and updating the rules prescribed by the Party for
various purposes and for reviewing proposals for amendments to the Party
constitution. The Conference Committee will be chaired by the Party
Chairman and will have the responsibility for all matters relating to
the agenda of the Party Conference, including the selection of motions
for debate.
14 DISCIPLINE
The Party shall establish a Discipline Committee comprising of the Party
Secretary and up to ten members approved by the annual Business Meeting
from fully paid-up Party members. The Party Secretary and a minimum of
four members of the Discipline Committee shall conduct specific hearings
in accordance with the appropriate rules which shall be made by the NEC
from time to time. Serving members of the NEC may not be nominated for
election to the Discipline Panel, and elected members of the Discipline
Panel must resign if elected to the NEC.
15 THE PARTY RULES
15 The NEC shall establish the rules governing Constituency
Associations; membership of standing and temporary committees;
submission of motions for debate at the Party Business Meeting, the
Party Conference and special and extraordinary conferences, the conduct
of these meetings, the calling and conduct of elections to the Party
leadership and the NEC, disciplinary procedures and all other rules and
procedures forming part of the formal management, conduct and
administration of the Party save where such rules are already laid down
in this constitution.
16 CANDIDATES
16.1 The Party shall establish a list of approved parliamentary
candidates, by means of interviewing potential candidates. Potential
candidates shall make a written application and shall make full
disclosure of any fact, political or personal, that may have a bearing
on their suitability for selection as a candidate. Candidates are under
a continuing duty to disclose any facts to the Party Chairman that may
have a bearing on their suitability to stand as a candidate.
16.2 The Party Chairman or Party Leader may suspend any candidate from
the approved list if he or she feels that there is good reason to do so.
The matter shall then be referred to the NEC to decide the question as
to the candidate's removal from or retention on the list. If a candidate
who is removed from the list has already been selected by a constituency
association, he or she will automatically lose all rights to be the
selected candidate and the association concerned shall select a new
candidate. A de-selected candidate will have the right to an appeal
according to rules that shall be made from time to time by the NEC.
16.3 Potential candidates will be interviewed by at least two people who
are drawn from the following categories: members of the NEC, appointed
national officers and chairmen and elected officials of constituency
associations or branches. The Party Chairman shall have the overall
responsibility for the interviewing process and the formation and
ranking of the list of approved candidates. The NEC will approve rules
to govern this process.
16.4 All parliamentary candidates must be paid-up members of the Party
in good standing and on the Party's list of approved candidates.
16.5 The selection from the list of approved candidates of a prospective
Parliamentary candidate to contest a constituency in a general election
is the prerogative of the constituency association concerned subject to
paragraphs 16.1 and 16.2 above and 16.6 and 16.7 below.
16.6 The Party Leader or Party Chairman may refer the final selection of
the candidate for any constituency to the NEC if, in the opinion of the
Party Leader or Chairman, the particular circumstances appear to warrant
such an intervention.
16.7 In the case of a by-election the selection of a candidate will be
subject to consultation and agreement with the NEC.
16.8. The selection of candidates for local government elections is the
responsibility of constituency associations or branches. The Party
Leader or Party Chairman may refer the selection to the NEC in the same
manner as in clause 16.6.
16.9 Candidates for Scottish, Welsh, and London Assemblies and other
forms of national or regional government that may exist shall be chosen
either by an election process or a selection process depending on which
the NEC decides is appropriate in any particular case. The NEC shall
devise the processes and rules. The Party Leader or Chairman may refer
the selection to the NEC as per 16.5.
16.10 The NEC shall devise the procedure for selecting candidates for
other elections.
17 THE CONSTITUTION:
APPROVAL AND AMENDMENT
17.1 Amendments to this Constitution will come into force after the
approval of a two-thirds majority of members voting in a postal ballot.
Such a ballot shall be held after a proposal by the NEC approved by a
two-thirds majority of those voting or at the requirement of twenty or
more properly constituted and duly registered constituency associations
or branches which have communicated their proposal for such amendment/s
in writing to the Party Secretary. Any association or branch requiring a
vote to be taken on a proposed amendment must be able to show the Party
Secretary that the majority of members at a properly constituted EGM
voted in favour of such an amendment.
17.2 The Party Chairman and NEC shall have the right to put separate and
distinct elements or clauses amending the Constitution to a vote for the
approval of a two-thirds majority of members voting in a postal ballot.
17.3 This amended constitution shall come into force immediately
following its approval by members voting in a postal ballot according to
the requirements of the constitution in force at that time.
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