Aardvark

Sort of, but we averaged 2.5%. The paper candidates were a liability that dragged the numbers down.

__________________
When in Woking do as the Wokes do.

"I do not wish to form my opinions by thoughtlessly quoting others; I wish others to support their opinions by sensibly quoting me." Paul Wesson (Aardvark) 13th April 2008

Anthony Butcher

Not where we were - the paper candidates did just as well, if not better in some cases!

__________________
If you care about what's in your food and where it comes from, then get it labelled!
Label My Food - http://www.labelmyfood.org.uk

Aardvark

In Oxon for instance, we exceeded 1000 votes in 3 out of 6 seats - Banbury, Henley and Witney. There were campaigns in the 2 Oxford City constituencies, but would still be down on the deal on the deposit alone - and that's with a high calibre candidate such as Dr Peter Gardner (writer of the book).

__________________
When in Woking do as the Wokes do.

"I do not wish to form my opinions by thoughtlessly quoting others; I wish others to support their opinions by sensibly quoting me." Paul Wesson (Aardvark) 13th April 2008

Aardvark

Actually I can think of some very sincere people who would deter the electorate as they went door-to-door. You could have a point.

__________________
When in Woking do as the Wokes do.

"I do not wish to form my opinions by thoughtlessly quoting others; I wish others to support their opinions by sensibly quoting me." Paul Wesson (Aardvark) 13th April 2008

Anthony Butcher

I got over 1200 votes, so the excess would have covered someone else getting only 800 votes. I think that UKIP is just about in the position where the deposits would pay for themselves and leave some extra cash over, assuming they could maintain a national average of 2.5%.

Of course the national party will want the money, rather than giving it to the constituencies, so they will still be left to raise the money themselves.

__________________
If you care about what's in your food and where it comes from, then get it labelled!
Label My Food - http://www.labelmyfood.org.uk

Aardvark

If the money existed it would help if the party either guranteed all deposits OR the basic leaflets. That would save a lot of grief locally.

__________________
When in Woking do as the Wokes do.

"I do not wish to form my opinions by thoughtlessly quoting others; I wish others to support their opinions by sensibly quoting me." Paul Wesson (Aardvark) 13th April 2008

Anthony Butcher

Using the money for deposits might also be a compromise for those who disagree with state funding, since the deposits are anti-independents and small parties anyway.

__________________
If you care about what's in your food and where it comes from, then get it labelled!
Label My Food - http://www.labelmyfood.org.uk

The Guvnah

Good to see that point at least has been aknowledged. Shabby shabby shabby. So who do you think will be next in the cross-hairs if the BNP are rendered illegal a la Vlaams Blok? They've tried jailing the leader, impounding literature, shut down their banking facilities, mounted denial of service attacks on their website. There's really only internment and asassination left. All predicted by the way.

Aardvark

"a la Vlaams Blok" with no sense of irony!

__________________
When in Woking do as the Wokes do.

"I do not wish to form my opinions by thoughtlessly quoting others; I wish others to support their opinions by sensibly quoting me." Paul Wesson (Aardvark) 13th April 2008

The Guvnah

'scuse the previous partial posting, 15mins to edit/add to a post? some of us do have a life you know.


So much wrong with this its difficult to know where to start
from Hayden Phillips' report;
"Strengthening Democracy() Fair & sustainable Funding of Political Parties"

So the taxpayer will only divvy up in return for control over your party structuring? finances? policy? Fail to 'reform' and we pull the plug.

Also, if politics no longer has to appeal to its potential electors then surely this introduces an even greater degree of seperation between themselves and those they must persuade in order to receive their mandate. How does that strengthen democracy?

It would do nothing to prevent third party influence.

Big business will always find a vehicle to channel funding to political ends. (loans scam anyone)

Once these barstewards have established the illusion of frugal and responsible 'state' funding you can bet your last bean that it will be ramped up remorselessly.

I really don't want to think that that fruit-bat Galloway is deriving the slightest degree of succour or support from my taxes but could I withold that component, no of course not. So in effect the are demanding my money from me with which to directly oppose the interests of me and my family, and all with menaces such ie threat of fine, forfeit or gaol. Blx to that for a game of Russians!

In addition such a system will completely stifle political development through small parties and movements that just may have hit upon a set of highly beneficial policies. They will be effectively excluded unless they can raise sufficient private donations to get them above the qualifying threshold. (but of course they've thought of this and large donations will be capped at a level to ENSURE no young upstart pup of a party can get within leg-cocking distance of Westminster's lamposts)

well well, what a surprise!

Good to see that point at least has been aknowledged. Shabby shabby shabby. So who do you think will be next in the cross-hairs if the BNP are rendered illegal a la Vlaams Blok? They've tried jailing the leader, impounding literature, shut down their banking facilities, mounted denial of service attacks on their website. There's really only internment and asassination left.