Discussion thread on the Free England Party's electoral strategy

[Andrew Constantine]

Yesterday on another forum, I asked about the electoral prospects of a particular London mayoral candidate. The answer was brief and painful: that party is not electorally credible and the candidate will not retain his deposit.

So the challenge that we founder members of the Free England Party face is this: what would be our most credible electoral strategy and how should we execute this best electoral strategy?

Here are my thoughts, starting with the existing position:

1. There are already a number of small nationalist parties that are not given much coverage by national media (especially the BBC).

2. The electorate are not policy wonks (can anyone even on this forum of political activists tell the difference between the economic policies of Labour, Tories and Lib Dems?) and make up their minds about whom they will vote for on a number of quite simple criteria.

3. Most existing parties are top-down: the "high command" make the decisions. These party leaderships spend much time on trying to get media attention, on wooing celebrities, moving paperwork around and do not seemingly give much time and attention to building up the party's local base (there are a few honourable exceptions of course).

4. Money will always be in short supply for all parties, and losing what cash you have in lost deposits where you have no chance of winning is an appalling waste.

5. No political party in England has yet managed to have the magic website that pulls in new members and lots of money.

Turning to the Free England Party's possible electoral strategy:

As the newest party, we start with off with no money debts (seriously good news!) but only a little cash in the bank. So we will not have money to waste and will be forced to be prudent.

The national media will not be interested in us - so we should not waste any time and effort courting them.

Celebrities will protect their personal brand at all costs, and will only engage if it suits their career. So let's rule them out.

Having decided not to ape the other small parties, and ruling out their fruitless strategies, we are left with one obvious approach. In my opinion, standing in council elections has to be the bedrock of our electoral strategy as:

- it cost nothing (or for leaflets very little money)
- it gives our members the way to build up a local following
- it introduces the public to the arguments for English Independence
- it will build up name recognition for our party
- it is a fun activity where we can help each other out
- we get to know about local issues and rival parties (political intelligence)
- we get free training and experience to assist in developing political skills

Looking at the above advantages of basing our electoral strategy on standing in local elections seems pretty persuasive to me.

It does imply years of hard work in building up the party's electoral credibility. But it's something that I think the party's founder members want to do, and I hope most of the work will be good fun and interesting, and that in due course our example will inspire many thousands of Englishwomen and 'men to join us and to take part.

The Free England Party needs to be a grassroots movement for the English people or we have no chance of gaining Independence. National Independence cannot - and should not - be a top down movement.

So we will need to make regular contact with our local Town Hall, looking for news of any forthcoming local elections (especially by-elections) and standing for them at every opportunity. I think it's that simple.

What do other (and future!) members of the Free England Party think?

Regards, Andrew

[Richard the Lionheart]

I fully agree with the bottom up approach to politics. I think it is much better to "work" a constituency first before standing in general elections. This is done by building up support in the wards or areas which make up a constituency. The real test of whether it is wise to stand in a general election is to gauge the strength of support in local council elections. If it's good, then its worth standing, if not, then a deposit is saved. As you say, it's by far the cheaper option, the cost of a few boxes of leaflets and a lot of legwork! There is also the possibilty of drafting in extra support from other party members to assist in the campaign if things look good in a particular area. Once FEP candidates start getting elected at local level, then more and more people become aware of us. A domino effect if you like. I think at all times we should exercise financial restraint. We are in this for the long haul and accept that this is something that will not happen overnight. It is pointless to mortgage the future on campaigns where we would currently stand no chance. It's just throwing money away. We should keep in the black at all times and only take calculated risks when a deposit is required.

This might sound a little cautious, but I wouldnt like us to get ourselves into debt and have nothing to show for it. I think the lesson learned from the EDs is that there is a six figure deficit with only a handful of councillors to show for it. The investment in name recognition clearly hasn't worked judging by the poor results in recent by-elections. We will learn by what's happened there so we can establish a successful, efficiently organised and financially sound party.

I would salute the ED's because they have shown us all that there is hope. We have seen some good things and bad things from them, but we think it's time to take the next step on this long road. The Free England Party believe that independence is inevitable, and we want to play a part in the establishment of a new, modern, English nation state.

[Vortex]

Another civic nationalist party! I'm losing track and I take a great interest in politics. To the voter it must mean zilch? English Democrats/English Independence Party/Free England Party/ Noddy For England Movement!

[Frith]

Local concerns best strategy overall, especially if each area has its specific concerns linked to a strategy.

Manifesto should be viable from day one and should aim to address important issues in terms of present situation and not in the interests of some romantic dream of what England could be like if only everyone wore banana leaf sandals and every family was made in heaven.

[Frith]

Originally Posted by Richard the Lionheart

I fully agree with the bottom up approach to politics. I think it is much better to "work" a constituency first before standing in general elections. This is done by building up support in the wards or areas which make up a constituency. The real test of whether it is wise to stand in a general election is to gauge the strength of support in local council elections. If it's good, then its worth standing, if not, then a deposit is saved. As you say, it's by far the cheaper option, the cost of a few boxes of leaflets and a lot of legwork! There is also the possibilty of drafting in extra support from other party members to assist in the campaign if things look good in a particular area. Once FEP candidates start getting elected at local level, then more and more people become aware of us. A domino effect if you like. I think at all times we should exercise financial restraint. We are in this for the long haul and accept that this is something that will not happen overnight. It is pointless to mortgage the future on campaigns where we would currently stand no chance. It's just throwing money away. We should keep in the black at all times and only take calculated risks when a deposit is required.

This might sound a little cautious, but I wouldnt like us to get ourselves into debt and have nothing to show for it. I think the lesson learned from the EDs is that there is a six figure deficit with only a handful of councillors to show for it. The investment in name recognition clearly hasn't worked judging by the poor results in recent by-elections. We will learn by what's happened there so we can establish a successful, efficiently organised and financially sound party.

I would salute the ED's because they have shown us all that there is hope. We have seen some good things and bad things from them, but we think it's time to take the next step on this long road. The Free England Party believe that independence is inevitable, and we want to play a part in the establishment of a new, modern, English nation state.

Totally agree with all you've said. Doff the cap to all who have gone before and those who are still there. It isn't easy and an unwise decision can send you into a tailspin. But FEP may in time be joined by experienced others who want to be a part of the Independence movement and their contributions will be invaluable.

The internet today is a very important source of information and can help spread the word further than the areas of local campaigners. So internet activists, as always, will be necessary and keyboard warriors will be able to ply their trade writing articles and debating on forums to spread the word to every corner of the English diaspora.

It is an exciting project. It is the next politically evolutionary step.

[cassie]

Originally Posted by Andrew Constantine

Yesterday on another forum, I asked about the electoral prospects of a particular London mayoral candidate. The answer was brief and painful: that party is not electorally credible and the candidate will not retain his deposit.

So the challenge that we founder members of the Free England Party face is this: what would be our most credible electoral strategy and how should we execute this best electoral strategy?

Here are my thoughts, starting with the existing position:

1. There are already a number of small nationalist parties that are not given much coverage by national media (especially the BBC).

2. The electorate are not policy wonks (can anyone even on this forum of political activists tell the difference between the economic policies of Labour, Tories and Lib Dems?) and make up their minds about whom they will vote for on a number of quite simple criteria.

3. Most existing parties are top-down: the "high command" make the decisions. These party leaderships spend much time on trying to get media attention, on wooing celebrities, moving paperwork around and do not seemingly give much time and attention to building up the party's local base (there are a few honourable exceptions of course).

4. Money will always be in short supply for all parties, and losing what cash you have in lost deposits where you have no chance of winning is an appalling waste.

5. No political party in England has yet managed to have the magic website that pulls in new members and lots of money.

Turning to the Free England Party's possible electoral strategy:

As the newest party, we start with off with no money debts (seriously good news!) but only a little cash in the bank. So we will not have money to waste and will be forced to be prudent.

The national media will not be interested in us - so we should not waste any time and effort courting them.

Celebrities will protect their personal brand at all costs, and will only engage if it suits their career. So let's rule them out.

Having decided not to ape the other small parties, and ruling out their fruitless strategies, we are left with one obvious approach. In my opinion, standing in council elections has to be the bedrock of our electoral strategy as:

- it cost nothing (or for leaflets very little money)
- it gives our members the way to build up a local following
- it introduces the public to the arguments for English Independence
- it will build up name recognition for our party
- it is a fun activity where we can help each other out
- we get to know about local issues and rival parties (political intelligence)
- we get free training and experience to assist in developing political skills

Looking at the above advantages of basing our electoral strategy on standing in local elections seems pretty persuasive to me.

It does imply years of hard work in building up the party's electoral credibility. But it's something that I think the party's founder members want to do, and I hope most of the work will be good fun and interesting, and that in due course our example will inspire many thousands of Englishwomen and 'men to join us and to take part.

The Free England Party needs to be a grassroots movement for the English people or we have no chance of gaining Independence. National Independence cannot - and should not - be a top down movement.

So we will need to make regular contact with our local Town Hall, looking for news of any forthcoming local elections (especially by-elections) and standing for them at every opportunity. I think it's that simple.

What do other (and future!) members of the Free England Party think?

Regards, Andrew

This posting has to some extent pre-empted the question I intended to pose about whether FEP plans to put up candidates in this year's GLA elections.

I think we can gauge the essence of FEP with the highly qualified question the author has asked: "What do other (and future!) members of the Free England Party think? which seems like an attempt to monopolise discussion and to exclude divergent opinion however well founded from other quarters! If I am wrong, it is yet another example of inept wording which, no doubt, we will be expected to tolerate and forgive . . .

Another example of doublespeak is: "Having decided not to ape the other small parties, and ruling out their fruitless strategies, we are left with one obvious approach. In my opinion, standing in council elections has to be the bedrock of our electoral strategy . . ." the clear implication being that other small parties do not stand candidates in local elections, otherwise we would be aping them!

As usual, the author has adopted a sanctimonious tone of 'we're better than them' . . . . 'them' including other English nationalist parties. As it says somewhere in the bible, "Those who exalteth themselves shall be abased, whilst those who humble themselves shall be exalted!"

If I have assessed the situation accurately, FEP is NOT going to put up candidates in this year's GLA elections because it does not have sufficient funding and intends to avoid incurring debt! Quel surprise! To some of us this was apparent before this situation even started.

The author admits: "There are already a number of small nationalist parties that are not given much coverage by national media (especially the BBC)." but, despite this, has embarked on a course which, by division, has diminished the other resources which can be applied by at least one small nationalist party in its struggle to acquire coverage and thereby raise its profile. I say this as a 'freewheeler' and not subject to any pressure or influence from ANY party!

In a staggering admission of Williams' proportions, the author has recorded apropos the London Mayor election: that the "party is not electorally credible and the candidate will not retain his deposit."

The objective political observer must question the whole basis upon which FEP will operate . . . even more so when the circumstances of the author's sudden voluntary departure from membership of the EDP are taken into account.

I could go on, but suffice it to say as an individual, born and raised in England, whose ancestral roots in England go back centuries and who still lives here, I can only regret the intolerance, lack of wisdom and lack of vision which has given rise to FEP being registered. You'll have to go some Andrew Constantine to remedy the havoc you've created during the last ten months by reason of your precious ego, and I'll be watching.


________________________

[Frith]

Originally Posted by cassie

This posting has to some extent pre-empted the question I intended to pose about whether FEP plans to put up candidates in this year's GLA elections.

I think we can gauge the essence of FEP with the highly qualified question the author has asked: "What do other (and future!) members of the Free England Party think? which seems like an attempt to monopolise discussion and to exclude divergent opinion however well founded from other quarters! If I am wrong, it is yet another example of inept wording which, no doubt, we will be expected to tolerate and forgive . . .

Another example of doublespeak is: "Having decided not to ape the other small parties, and ruling out their fruitless strategies, we are left with one obvious approach. In my opinion, standing in council elections has to be the bedrock of our electoral strategy . . ." the clear implication being that other small parties do not stand candidates in local elections, otherwise we would be aping them!

As usual, the author has adopted a sanctimonious tone of 'we're better than them' . . . . 'them' including other English nationalist parties. As it says somewhere in the bible, "Those who exalteth themselves shall be abased, whilst those who humble themselves shall be exalted!"

If I have assessed the situation accurately, FEP is NOT going to put up candidates in this year's GLA elections because it does not have sufficient funding and intends to avoid incurring debt! Quel surprise! To some of us this was apparent before this situation even started.

The author admits: "There are already a number of small nationalist parties that are not given much coverage by national media (especially the BBC)." but, despite this, has embarked on a course which, by division, has diminished the other resources which can be applied by at least one small nationalist party in its struggle to acquire coverage and thereby raise its profile. I say this as a 'freewheeler' and not subject to any pressure or influence from ANY party!

In a staggering admission of Williams' proportions, the author has recorded apropos the London Mayor election: that the "party is not electorally credible and the candidate will not retain his deposit."

The objective political observer must question the whole basis upon which FEP will operate . . . even more so when the circumstances of the author's sudden voluntary departure from membership of the EDP are taken into account.

I could go on, but suffice it to say as an individual, born and raised in England, whose ancestral roots in England go back centuries and who still lives here, I can only regret the intolerance, lack of wisdom and lack of vision which has given rise to FEP being registered. You'll have to go some Andrew Constantine to remedy the havoc you've created during the last ten months by reason of your precious ego, and I'll be watching.


________________________

You have, in your inimical way, just given English people the best reason to take a closer look at Independence and the FEP.

You have no right to "watch" anyone.

[Richard the Lionheart]

I am quite astonished by that post Cassie. The thread is intended to discuss the best way forward for the FEP working with limited resources, and the best way for us to deal with issues of elections. It is hoped that people with experience would be able to contribute help and advice to the discussion, not throw a spanner in the works! The thread is also aimed at those who are interested in independence for England, which of course, you are not, so not sure why you're posting here.

As a founder member of the FEP, I find it regrettable you see the registration of the party as having intolerance, lack of wisdom, and lack of vision. We are an open party as you can see by the very fact that we have open discussions about our party on various forums. To want to see an independent English nation state surely cannot be a lack of vision, and we have learned several valuable lessons from other parties. That is the purpose of this thread, for us to engage people in discussion about our new party and electoral success.

You mention Andrew's sudden exit from the EDP. Mine came the same day. We both tendered our resignations honourably from the party and left on good terms. You were expelled from the party. We both decided we wanted to pursue a different path to that of the ED's.

Please don't knock us before we have even got started!

Can we go back to the original discussion please?

[Northumbrian]

So I guess the FEP won't be contesting the European elections next year? A pity, as the EDP won't be standing in the North East region!

I understand the plan to only contest local elctions for a while. That makes sense. But we shouldn't dismiss the possibility that someone may join who is prepared to donate lots of money.

[Richard the Lionheart]

Originally Posted by Northumbrian

So I guess the FEP won't be contesting the European elections next year? A pity, as the EDP won't be standing in the North East region!

I understand the plan to only contest local elctions for a while. That makes sense. But we shouldn't dismiss the possibility that someone may join who is prepared to donate lots of money.

If we find someone who would fund us standing in such elections, then yes, we could well do that. It's striking a balance between getting name recognition, success, or just throwing away good money.