Candidates 2010

I've written on the forum a little while ago, outlining the selection process I envisage introducing, partly to help me work that out, and partly to give the chance for member feedback. Now I'm in a position to announce that we will be putting the first potential candidates forward for ratification by the party membership, after which they will be declared as prospective parliamentary candidates for PPUK.

We really need to do that, and it is a big step towards being taken seriously as a political party, when the media see that we will be standing candidates. Therefore we will be asking for a ratification vote from you the party members, as each credible candidate comes forward and establishes that they understand what's involved and are prepared to undertake it, and have identified the seat which they wish to fight on behalf of the Pirate Party.

We will very shortly be running another round of voting, for the internal position of Data controller that's now being contested, and also on other matters, I propose therefore to run the first candidate ratification vote at the same time, so that it can go in the notification email at the same time, when all the upcoming polls are open.

It is likely that I will initially be recommending two potential candidates for your endorsement, one naturally being Andrew Robinson for the seat of Worcester, and the second early candidate proposed being Graeme Lambert who wishes to stand in Bury North. Others I will bring through "the pipeline" and ask for your ratification as they confirm their intent to me. Presently I have hopes that we will have effective candidates come forward for London, for Cambridge, and for other constituencies which have been mentioned, such as Birmingham Selly Oak.

Anywhere we have an potentially good candidate, and/or evidence of a support base, we should seek to identify and endorse a Pirate candidate.

When that vote opens, I expect it to be a simple choice, to endorse or to not endorse, and an option to abstain if you do not wish to express a preference; if endorsement is clear, then so be it, and if not then not. If abstentions receive a substantial vote or win, then I'll discuss with the potential candidate what the appropriate next step might be. That would depend both on the results at the time, and if we have further credible candidates presenting themselves who would (all other things being equal) receive consideration next in that case.