Having said immigration policy be irreversible once demographic change tips the balance past 50%, and no guaranteed say in anything else for that matter, that's real warm and cuddly too.
The BME population in the UK is around 8%. Yes eight. It's no where near 50%, and doesn't look like getting there any time soon.
Discriminatory ethnic quotas for good jobs and university degrees that will secure said jobs, gotta love those too.
That would be against UK law (so called 'positive' discrimination is against the race relations act). If you have proof of this happening report it to your local police.
The BNP is no less warm and cuddly than the Indian National Congress or the African National Congress. It would be a world first that a people allow themselves to be willingly herded into a reservation. It is always resisted.
What on earth are you on about? Seriously if you really believe that the white population of the UK is about to be rounded up & put on reservations then you need to see a mental health professional about your paranoia.
The problem isn't the wi-fi story - it's the absence of any substantial, non-tech stories that's the problem.
We're only 7 months old, we've only just established a proper press office; until now we've not had a way to respond to news stories.
I did read your manifesto. And I still suspect you're nothing but a single issue party whose motivation is based on self-interest (either copyright or ego based, depending on the individual),
As a PPUK member I can tell you that I believe in all three core ideals.
but with enough smarts to bring other issues to bear try and justify their existence.
It doesn't matter whether you expect to field a candidate, let alone win a seat, let alone form a government. Your policies would have economic impact, and on public spending. Given that these are big topics, and you make no real attempt to address them - well, you just can't be taken seriously, can you?
When we grow, and acquire expertise in those areas, I'm sure the manifesto will address them. As it stands, the IIRC Party membership is 600-700, mostly with knowledge in the area of digital rights. I'm sure that when, say the green party launched they didn't have detailed policy in areas other than green issues. Now, they have a full platform. We'll get there eventually.
I guess this all sounds rather harsh, it's just I think you need to be more than a nice enough person with a couple of good ideas to justify asking people for money. I happen to care quite a bit about all three policies and I'd prefer them to be treated seriously. You're more likely to reduce them to laughing stock.
Then join so you can influence the policy making. We're a democratic party, and every clause in the manifesto is up for a vote & input is welcomed from everyone.
If the climate of politics needs to change in this country then it has to start with anyone assuming they have a right or need to represent the population
Isn't that exactly what we in the PPUK are doing?
- if you are willing to butt in here and negate questions prior to them being asked of the interviewee then you are no better than the incumbents.
Doesn't answer the main question though. Yes, the system is shitty, but it's the one I have to deal with come May. I get one X. Much as I would love to support your policies, you are a one issue party and there is a recession on. I'm trying to start a business so economy is top priority.
We freely admit that we're highly unlikely to win a single seat let alone form a government; our aim is to get enough votes to make the 'big' parties to take a look at our policies.
Even at the European elections I think I am better off voting Green. They have some MEPs already, have policies on everything and are for copyright and patent reform.
Go ahead & vote for them; sure I'd prefer you to vote PPUK but anyone who supports our platform is good too. We're not in it for the power, just for the policy change.
Sweden's PP is the biggest in the world and Sweden's elections are coming up too. Why aren't you interviewing him?
Has a Swedish PP member put a/. submission in? This interview was brought about by a regular user submission; mine. I contacted Andy he said he didn't mind, so I submitted it through the normal process. Remember/. runs on submissions, it doesn't go looking for stories.
You mean like the Open rights group (who we're developing close links with)? Or perhaps the business coalitionCoadec? Don't worry, the pressure and lobby groups are there as well.
Or are you free to give the work that I paid for to the rest of the world?
After 10 years (PPUKs proposed maximum copyright period), then yes, I am free to give it away. You are also free to share and\or sell it (or copies of it) as soon as you buy it from me.
This is a story that happens to be in the news at the moment; we need to react to things like this to raise our profile. Check our draft manifesto for our Privacy & Freedom of speech policies: http://www.pirateparty.org.uk/wiki/Drafts:Manifesto_Proposal
Nothing about financial reform, war or the economy. Nothing about the environment, taxes or the spending thereof. It might even just be people starting a political party as an egotistical exercise.
We're not about to form a government, nor do we expect to.for a start we're not fielding enough candidates. At the moment there's no point straying out of our core areas; our aim is to pick up enough votes so that the bigger parties pick up our policies. You mention the Green party, in the same way all the major parties now try to be Green (despite the Greens never having an MP), we want them to also be Pirates.
Is fielding candidates the best course, for a single issue group like yours?
As well as the PPUK there is a lobby group: Open rights group & a business coalition: Coadec. To change policy we need to work through all these channels.
Did you consider concentrating efforts in one or two "marginal" constituencies in order to "spoil it" for one of the major parties ?
It might end up doing more for the debate than a simple (unwinnable) nationwide challenge, don't you think?
That's exactly our strategy. We're going to stand in just a couple of constituencies; they're all marginal ones with student populations this should ensure we maximise our vote without spreading ourselves too thin.
Voting (to me) shows more than support. It shows I am confident in that person or group as leader of my country.
And this is why we're in the mess we're in. Our politicians are meant to be our servants, not our masters; I don't vote for a leader, I vote for a representative that I can hold to account.
I'm both a green-supporter, leftish libertarian and (actually) a supporter of anything that will break the mould in decaying world of political 'brands'. Thus, I look with some favour on Pirate Party etc. etc.
But (you heard that coming, right?) there isn't a complete programme, a problem also for many green parties. Do you intend to do serious policy research and formulation and evolve a complete coherent position that would enable you to govern? When?
As a party we are only about 7 months old, and currently only have somewhere between 600 & 700 members; IMO only once the party is big enough would it be worth formulating policies outside our core areas.
Given that we have issues of such national and international importance do you not feel that another party, campaigning on such a narrow platform will only dilute the real change that is needed which is the ousting of labour and the restoration of faith in the institution of parliament and the fact that it should be working for the whole population of the UK and not the vested interests of politicians?
We're not fielding enough candidates at this election to have a big enough impact to either help or hinder the Labour government. It's a non-issue.
The single issue your party is based upon is extremely "fluffy" in your parties manifesto. While I have read your forum and appreciate this is being worked on it seems to still lack any significant content in terms of planned measures and rather focuses on statements to the effect of "We will make IP more fair". Based on this fact how could people justify voting for your party when all we basically have is a statement of intent rather than implementable policy?
Why is the UK Pirate party any different, apart from the lack of great social events and satirical candidate names?
Because we have some actual principles? If you believe in IP reform, greater individual privacy & more freedom of speech, we're the only party to vote for.
Can we have a 3 strikes for politicians so that when they've been caught with red handed with their hand in the checkout 3 times they're jailed and banned from ever entering politics again so that the likes of Mandelson would never have got to a position where he could single-handedly manipulate the Digital Economy Bill in the first place?
The only thing I want to know is whether or not there are going to be some candidates standing for the pirate party in the general election, and if so in what seats? It'd be interesting to see how well they do.
yes, Andy is standing himself (I believe it's Worcester, but don't quote me); IIRC there's also another candidate confirmed to be standing, but I can't remember where apart from "up North";p
We're also hoping to field candidates in the local elections on May 6th
What is your stance on erosion of privacy in UK? Will your party only follow the path of Intellectual Property rights, or do you plan to fight for freedom of speech, against invasion of privacy online and in daily life, censorship and other vital freedom-related problems.
Slashdot Mirror
Having said immigration policy be irreversible once demographic change tips the balance past 50%, and no guaranteed say in anything else for that matter, that's real warm and cuddly too.
The BME population in the UK is around 8%. Yes eight. It's no where near 50%, and doesn't look like getting there any time soon.
Discriminatory ethnic quotas for good jobs and university degrees that will secure said jobs, gotta love those too.
That would be against UK law (so called 'positive' discrimination is against the race relations act). If you have proof of this happening report it to your local police.
The BNP is no less warm and cuddly than the Indian National Congress or the African National Congress. It would be a world first that a people allow themselves to be willingly herded into a reservation. It is always resisted.
What on earth are you on about? Seriously if you really believe that the white population of the UK is about to be rounded up & put on reservations then you need to see a mental health professional about your paranoia.
Hey, he asked me, not you :-)
Sorry, just being a good party activist ;p
How will you reform Health care?
We're going to abolish drug patents making medicine cheaper: http://www.pirateparty.org.uk/wiki/Drafts:Manifesto_Proposal#Where_patents_don.27t_promote_innovation.2C_or_actively_prevent_it.2C_we.27ll_scrap_them
Are you going to field a candidate in each constituency.
We have no where near enough money to do that.
The problem isn't the wi-fi story - it's the absence of any substantial, non-tech stories that's the problem.
We're only 7 months old, we've only just established a proper press office; until now we've not had a way to respond to news stories.
I did read your manifesto. And I still suspect you're nothing but a single issue party whose motivation is based on self-interest (either copyright or ego based, depending on the individual),
As a PPUK member I can tell you that I believe in all three core ideals.
but with enough smarts to bring other issues to bear try and justify their existence.
It doesn't matter whether you expect to field a candidate, let alone win a seat, let alone form a government. Your policies would have economic impact, and on public spending. Given that these are big topics, and you make no real attempt to address them - well, you just can't be taken seriously, can you?
When we grow, and acquire expertise in those areas, I'm sure the manifesto will address them. As it stands, the IIRC Party membership is 600-700, mostly with knowledge in the area of digital rights. I'm sure that when, say the green party launched they didn't have detailed policy in areas other than green issues. Now, they have a full platform. We'll get there eventually.
I guess this all sounds rather harsh, it's just I think you need to be more than a nice enough person with a couple of good ideas to justify asking people for money. I happen to care quite a bit about all three policies and I'd prefer them to be treated seriously. You're more likely to reduce them to laughing stock.
Then join so you can influence the policy making. We're a democratic party, and every clause in the manifesto is up for a vote & input is welcomed from everyone.
If the climate of politics needs to change in this country then it has to start with anyone assuming they have a right or need to represent the population
Isn't that exactly what we in the PPUK are doing?
- if you are willing to butt in here and negate questions prior to them being asked of the interviewee then you are no better than the incumbents.
I'm not negating anything, just disagreeing.
Doesn't answer the main question though. Yes, the system is shitty, but it's the one I have to deal with come May. I get one X. Much as I would love to support your policies, you are a one issue party and there is a recession on. I'm trying to start a business so economy is top priority.
We freely admit that we're highly unlikely to win a single seat let alone form a government; our aim is to get enough votes to make the 'big' parties to take a look at our policies.
Even at the European elections I think I am better off voting Green. They have some MEPs already, have policies on everything and are for copyright and patent reform.
Go ahead & vote for them; sure I'd prefer you to vote PPUK but anyone who supports our platform is good too. We're not in it for the power, just for the policy change.
Sweden's PP is the biggest in the world and Sweden's elections are coming up too. Why aren't you interviewing him?
Has a Swedish PP member put a /. submission in? This interview was brought about by a regular user submission; mine. I contacted Andy he said he didn't mind, so I submitted it through the normal process. Remember /. runs on submissions, it doesn't go looking for stories.
Single issue parties are notorious for messing up elections
If we can "mess up" the election for one of the big parties, we'll be very happy, thank you.
Why not form a pressure group or thinktank?
You mean like the Open rights group (who we're developing close links with)? Or perhaps the business coalitionCoadec? Don't worry, the pressure and lobby groups are there as well.
Or are you free to give the work that I paid for to the rest of the world?
After 10 years (PPUKs proposed maximum copyright period), then yes, I am free to give it away. You are also free to share and\or sell it (or copies of it) as soon as you buy it from me.
Rendition, torture, police using CCTV footage for blackmail? All genuine problems. What's the kind of thing that worries the Pirate Party? Not getting their wi-fi access: http://www.pirateparty.org.uk/blog/2010/feb/28/digital-economy-bill-will-kill-wifi-hotspots/
This is a story that happens to be in the news at the moment; we need to react to things like this to raise our profile. Check our draft manifesto for our Privacy & Freedom of speech policies: http://www.pirateparty.org.uk/wiki/Drafts:Manifesto_Proposal
Nothing about financial reform, war or the economy. Nothing about the environment, taxes or the spending thereof. It might even just be people starting a political party as an egotistical exercise.
We're not about to form a government, nor do we expect to.for a start we're not fielding enough candidates. At the moment there's no point straying out of our core areas; our aim is to pick up enough votes so that the bigger parties pick up our policies. You mention the Green party, in the same way all the major parties now try to be Green (despite the Greens never having an MP), we want them to also be Pirates.
You must be new here.
No, just forever an optimist ;p
Is fielding candidates the best course, for a single issue group like yours?
As well as the PPUK there is a lobby group: Open rights group & a business coalition: Coadec. To change policy we need to work through all these channels.
Did you consider concentrating efforts in one or two "marginal" constituencies in order to "spoil it" for one of the major parties ? It might end up doing more for the debate than a simple (unwinnable) nationwide challenge, don't you think?
That's exactly our strategy. We're going to stand in just a couple of constituencies; they're all marginal ones with student populations this should ensure we maximise our vote without spreading ourselves too thin.
Voting (to me) shows more than support. It shows I am confident in that person or group as leader of my country.
And this is why we're in the mess we're in. Our politicians are meant to be our servants, not our masters; I don't vote for a leader, I vote for a representative that I can hold to account.
I'm both a green-supporter, leftish libertarian and (actually) a supporter of anything that will break the mould in decaying world of political 'brands'. Thus, I look with some favour on Pirate Party etc. etc. But (you heard that coming, right?) there isn't a complete programme, a problem also for many green parties. Do you intend to do serious policy research and formulation and evolve a complete coherent position that would enable you to govern? When?
As a party we are only about 7 months old, and currently only have somewhere between 600 & 700 members; IMO only once the party is big enough would it be worth formulating policies outside our core areas.
Given that we have issues of such national and international importance do you not feel that another party, campaigning on such a narrow platform will only dilute the real change that is needed which is the ousting of labour and the restoration of faith in the institution of parliament and the fact that it should be working for the whole population of the UK and not the vested interests of politicians?
We're not fielding enough candidates at this election to have a big enough impact to either help or hinder the Labour government. It's a non-issue.
Yeah, I noticed that after I hit "submit" (I was doing about 10 things at the time) I was hoping the editors would fix it.
The single issue your party is based upon is extremely "fluffy" in your parties manifesto. While I have read your forum and appreciate this is being worked on it seems to still lack any significant content in terms of planned measures and rather focuses on statements to the effect of "We will make IP more fair". Based on this fact how could people justify voting for your party when all we basically have is a statement of intent rather than implementable policy?
The final draft manifesto: http://www.pirateparty.org.uk/wiki/Drafts:Manifesto_Proposal is far more concrete; it's being put to a party vote right now.
Why is the UK Pirate party any different, apart from the lack of great social events and satirical candidate names?
Because we have some actual principles? If you believe in IP reform, greater individual privacy & more freedom of speech, we're the only party to vote for.
Can we have a 3 strikes for politicians so that when they've been caught with red handed with their hand in the checkout 3 times they're jailed and banned from ever entering politics again so that the likes of Mandelson would never have got to a position where he could single-handedly manipulate the Digital Economy Bill in the first place?
You joke, but our draft manifesto addresses transparency in government: http://www.pirateparty.org.uk/wiki/Drafts:Manifesto_Proposal#We_want_increased_government_transparency_and_accountability it's being voted on as I speak.
And how much will they be paid? The Standard Rate as defined by government? So, you're basically advocating communism.
Imagine I'm a talented writer or painter. If you want a picture or literary work, pay me and I'll make you one. No government involvement needed.
The only thing I want to know is whether or not there are going to be some candidates standing for the pirate party in the general election, and if so in what seats? It'd be interesting to see how well they do.
yes, Andy is standing himself (I believe it's Worcester, but don't quote me); IIRC there's also another candidate confirmed to be standing, but I can't remember where apart from "up North" ;p
We're also hoping to field candidates in the local elections on May 6th
What is your stance on erosion of privacy in UK? Will your party only follow the path of Intellectual Property rights, or do you plan to fight for freedom of speech, against invasion of privacy online and in daily life, censorship and other vital freedom-related problems.
We campaign on all three issues: http://www.pirateparty.org.uk/