Constitution of the Progressive European Party
1. Name
2. Objectives
3. Membership
4. Organisation
5. Annual General Meeting
6. Party Branches
7. Operative Date
Name
1. The party will be know as Progressive European Party, also known as the Progressive party herein referred to as the “party”.
Objectives
2.1. The aims of the party are to bring about by democratic means an inclusive and balanced liberal society for all United Kingdom residents regardless of their nationality race or sexuality and will work towards the elimination of all forms of discrimination.
2.2. The party recognises having a safe place to live, a basic income and free health care as a right for all citizens.
2.3. The party will promote Progressive politics at a local national and international level.
2.4. The party supports the creation of a Federal European state.
2.4. The party supports the creation of a Federal European state.
Membership
3.1. Membership of the party is open to everyone from the age of 16 years old and above regardless of disability, race, sex, sexual orientation, creed or religion. Dual membership of the party and another political party is permissible.
3.2. All party members, especially officers of the party should conduct themselves in an appropriate way in public and on social media. Members that are considered to be not doing so may have their membership suspended or revoked by the Executive.
Organisation
4.1. The responsibility of running the party will rest with the National Executive Committee (NEC). The Committee will carry out the business of the party, including managing money raised. It will include Party leader, Deputy leader, Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer.
4.2. More than one role can be taken by one member of the NEC with the exception of Leader and Deputy leader which by definition are separate roles. The NEC should have a minimum of three and a maximum of ten members.
4.3. Party members from outside the NEC can be appointed by the Chair to roles such as campaign manager or fundraiser. The NEC may also set up policy groups and additional small groups to organise particular events and activities. These additional appointees will report to the NEC but will have no voting rights on the committee.
4.4. The NEC may invite (non-voting) experts and observers from outside the party to attend its meetings at its discretion.
4.5. The NEC is responsible for writing a new manifesto, or for the modifying of an existing one, whenever it deems this necessary. The manifesto must always follow the party tenets of the “Free-Test” methodology of is it: Fair? Responsible? Economical? Efficient?
4.6. The NEC meets as and when a majority of its members consider it necessary, it must meet at least once per calendar year and the minutes of the meetings shall be made available to all members.
3.1. Membership of the party is open to everyone from the age of 16 years old and above regardless of disability, race, sex, sexual orientation, creed or religion. Dual membership of the party and another political party is permissible.
3.2. All party members, especially officers of the party should conduct themselves in an appropriate way in public and on social media. Members that are considered to be not doing so may have their membership suspended or revoked by the Executive.
Organisation
4.1. The responsibility of running the party will rest with the National Executive Committee (NEC). The Committee will carry out the business of the party, including managing money raised. It will include Party leader, Deputy leader, Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer.
4.2. More than one role can be taken by one member of the NEC with the exception of Leader and Deputy leader which by definition are separate roles. The NEC should have a minimum of three and a maximum of ten members.
4.3. Party members from outside the NEC can be appointed by the Chair to roles such as campaign manager or fundraiser. The NEC may also set up policy groups and additional small groups to organise particular events and activities. These additional appointees will report to the NEC but will have no voting rights on the committee.
4.4. The NEC may invite (non-voting) experts and observers from outside the party to attend its meetings at its discretion.
4.5. The NEC is responsible for writing a new manifesto, or for the modifying of an existing one, whenever it deems this necessary. The manifesto must always follow the party tenets of the “Free-Test” methodology of is it: Fair? Responsible? Economical? Efficient?
4.6. The NEC meets as and when a majority of its members consider it necessary, it must meet at least once per calendar year and the minutes of the meetings shall be made available to all members.
4.7. NEC decisions are made by a simple majority vote. The Chair has a casting vote if a vote is tied. The quorum for the NEC is three.
4.8. The NEC will be elected once a year by a national ballot of members at least two weeks before the Annual General Meeting. Every paid-up member of the party with at least twelve months continuous membership and all lifetime members are entitled to stand for election as members of the NEC.
4.9. The NEC will be elected by two ballots. The first ballot for the position of party Leader is held then a separate second ballot held to elect the remaining nine places. Once elected the NEC will decide who takes the positions of Deputy leader, Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. The results of the election and the positions help to be announced at the Annual General Meeting.
4.10. If the post of Chairperson, Secretary, Party leader, Deputy leader or Treasurer becomes vacant during the course of the year the committee can appoint an unelected party member to serve in the vacant position until the next Annual General Meeting.
4.11. Party spokespersons will be appointed by the party leader and will be accountable to the NEC and any relevant policy group. Spokespersons may also have any other role within the party.
Annual General Meeting
5.1. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is open to every paid-up member of the party and to all lifetime members.
5.2. Places at the AGM shall be allocated on a first come, first served basis, to those members who apply.
5.3. At the AGM the outgoing NEC will report on its work, present the accounts and invite feedback from members. NEC members will then stand down and the newly elected NEC members will take their place.
5.4. The party’s constitution may only be altered at an AGM and by at least a two-thirds majority of those members in attendance voting in favour of doing so. The National Secretary must be provided with suggested changes and they must be publicised to all members at least 14 days before the AGM.
Party Branches
6.1. Local branches of the party may be established by a minimum of three members. Once formed the contact details of the local branch should be provided to the National Secretary.
6.2. If a local branch intends to raise funds it must appoint a Chairperson a Secretary and a Treasurer and keep the minutes of its meetings. The Treasurer of the local branch must maintain proper financial records and submit a written report to the National Treasurer as and when required. The Local Treasurer must also present annual accounts to their branch AGM and lodge a copy with the National Treasurer.
6.3. The main functions of a local branch should be the selection of candidates and campaigning on behalf of candidates in local and national elections and the raising of funds for the national party.
6.4. In a constituency where no local party has been formed the NEC will be responsible for the appointing and the fielding of candidates.
6.5. Only the National party will operate bank and other financial accounts in the party name. Local branches if operating a bank account should use their Constituency name.
4.8. The NEC will be elected once a year by a national ballot of members at least two weeks before the Annual General Meeting. Every paid-up member of the party with at least twelve months continuous membership and all lifetime members are entitled to stand for election as members of the NEC.
4.9. The NEC will be elected by two ballots. The first ballot for the position of party Leader is held then a separate second ballot held to elect the remaining nine places. Once elected the NEC will decide who takes the positions of Deputy leader, Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. The results of the election and the positions help to be announced at the Annual General Meeting.
4.10. If the post of Chairperson, Secretary, Party leader, Deputy leader or Treasurer becomes vacant during the course of the year the committee can appoint an unelected party member to serve in the vacant position until the next Annual General Meeting.
4.11. Party spokespersons will be appointed by the party leader and will be accountable to the NEC and any relevant policy group. Spokespersons may also have any other role within the party.
Annual General Meeting
5.1. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is open to every paid-up member of the party and to all lifetime members.
5.2. Places at the AGM shall be allocated on a first come, first served basis, to those members who apply.
5.3. At the AGM the outgoing NEC will report on its work, present the accounts and invite feedback from members. NEC members will then stand down and the newly elected NEC members will take their place.
5.4. The party’s constitution may only be altered at an AGM and by at least a two-thirds majority of those members in attendance voting in favour of doing so. The National Secretary must be provided with suggested changes and they must be publicised to all members at least 14 days before the AGM.
Party Branches
6.1. Local branches of the party may be established by a minimum of three members. Once formed the contact details of the local branch should be provided to the National Secretary.
6.2. If a local branch intends to raise funds it must appoint a Chairperson a Secretary and a Treasurer and keep the minutes of its meetings. The Treasurer of the local branch must maintain proper financial records and submit a written report to the National Treasurer as and when required. The Local Treasurer must also present annual accounts to their branch AGM and lodge a copy with the National Treasurer.
6.3. The main functions of a local branch should be the selection of candidates and campaigning on behalf of candidates in local and national elections and the raising of funds for the national party.
6.4. In a constituency where no local party has been formed the NEC will be responsible for the appointing and the fielding of candidates.
6.5. Only the National party will operate bank and other financial accounts in the party name. Local branches if operating a bank account should use their Constituency name.
Operative Date
7. This constitution comes into force on 1 September 2017. Any interpretation of this constitution given by the NEC shall be final and binding on the party membership.
© 2017 Progressive European Party All rights reserved
7. This constitution comes into force on 1 September 2017. Any interpretation of this constitution given by the NEC shall be final and binding on the party membership.
© 2017 Progressive European Party All rights reserved
