All funding and expenditure will be summarised and disclosed by category on the party’s website.

Funding of greater than £10,000 p.a. by any single organisation or individual will be disclosed both separately and within these categories.

"Funding” is deemed to apply to any material donations or partial subsidies of non-cash items (e.g. fees relating to the use of property, facilities or services), as well as cash payments.  Where no open market value is already established, a reasonable estimated market value of any non-cash item shall be used to calculate the related amount of funding.

For clarity, where the party holds fundraising initiatives, the gross income and expenditure values will be reported in the appropriate categories.

Any potential party member must disclose any potential conflicting interest upon application, which shall also be published on this website, to be updated as needed and re-confirmed annually.

All experts and advisors consulted, utilised or employed by the party for longer than a total of 10 working days in any calendar year will be disclosed on the party’s website, along with a brief description of the reason for their engagement and relevant qualifications and/or experience.

Any material changes or evolution of formal, published policy positions will be clearly identified, along with the rationale for the amendment.  The preceding policy position will be retained in an “Archive” section of the party website.

Proposed subjects for membership debate will be published on the party website in a secure area for party members only, and members’ votes will decide which subjects are to be debated.  Proposed subjects for debate can be submitted by any party member.

Oliver Edwards is the Leader of the Social Progress Party at inception and will remain so for an initial period of 36 months from the date on which party membership exceeds 500 members, unless he relinquishes such position voluntarily.

Once the 36-month period has elapsed, the Party Membership will have an annual online vote to determine whether they wish to hold a leadership election.  If there is a simple majority of votes (i.e. 50.1%) for a Leadership election, such election must take place within two months of the result being confirmed.

 

Any Party Member (including the incumbent Party Leader) may choose to stand in a leadership election, provided that they can secure a formal nomination from a minimum of five other Party Members (Party Members may only nominate one candidate in each election).  

 

All candidates must secure the required nominations one month prior to the leadership election, in order to allow suitable preparation and campaigning; no late nomination of candidates will be allowed.

On appointment, the Party Leader appoints a Leadership Committee (LC) made up of a minimum of four other Party Members (where possible), and a maximum of nine (total LC size is therefore to be no smaller than five, and no larger than ten members).

 

The LC shall comprise of the Leader, the Deputy Leader, an Operational Lead, a Finance Lead and a Members’ Representative, plus any other role that the Leader deems appropriate.

 

Individual LC members may hold more than one such role where deemed appropriate and/or necessary by the Leader.  

 

LC members are to be re-confirmed or refreshed every twelve months at the Leader’s total discretion, with no other window for change except where individual LC members choose to resign, are incapacitated, or leave the party.

In order to be offered Party Membership, individuals must:

 
1.    Apply through the Party website (once this function is available).

2.    Complete an online questionnaire regarding their core values and political history, as well as a declaration regarding any relevant historic matters.

3.    Be 18 year of age or older, or have a parent/guardian willing to apply on their behalf and sponsor their application.

4.    Be recommended by an existing Party Member.  
o    While this may hinder initial growth, it is essential to ensure that the party is not prey to manipulation of the Membership.
o    This requirement is also designed to ensure that new Members are known to authentically support the party’s goals and core principles.
o    In order to encourage a diverse membership (in terms of socio-economic and ethnic background, since Members will all share the majority of our core principles), an alternative interview process will be available for applicants who are not already acquainted with an existing Party Member.

5.    Declare any potential conflicting interest as outlined in the “Transparency” section.

6.    Have the application approved by the Leadership Committee.

Once offered a Party Membership, Members must:
1.    Pay annual fees, which will be used solely to fund party activities and promotion.
o    Fees will generally be collected annually in advance by direct debit (once membership exceeds an appropriate level) and are not refundable.
o    Monthly direct debit and/or reduced fees are available for economically disadvantaged groups (e.g. under-18, students, pensioners, those in receipt of benefits).  See “Annual Membership Fees” for current prices.

2.    Declare their understanding, acknowledgement and acceptance of the Party’s Core Principles and Rules. If any potential Member cannot accept and support the majority of the Core Principles then they should not apply to join as these represent the purpose for the party’s creation and existence.

3.    Agree to the publication of any potential conflicting interest on this website as outlined in the “Transparency” section.

A summary of key party rules is listed below, for a more detailed explanation please see here.

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