Tunisian Unrest

Last week, several members of Pirate Party Tunisia were arrested by the Tunisian Government as unrest engulfed the country. Pirate Parties around the world issued a statement condemning the action. You can read the statement here: http://www.pirateparty.org.uk/press/releases/2011/jan/7/pirate-parties-condemn-tunisias-unjust-arrest-pira/

It later emerged that a Tunisian Pirate Party member had been beaten by police. Pirate Parties again issued a statement, calling for human rights to be respected. You can read the release here: http://www.pirateparty.org.uk/press/releases/2011/jan/11/detained-tunisian-pirate-party-member-beaten-polic/

It is believed that all detained Pirates have now been released.

The wider situation in Tunisia has been rapidly evolving. As of writing it is understood that President Ben Ali has fled the country to France, and that Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi has declared temporary control of the country. For the latest information see Al Jazeera English, BBC News, or the relevant search terms on twitter.

Oldham East & Saddleworth

Party Leader Loz Kaye stood as a candidate in the Parliamentary By-Election for the constituency of Oldham East & Saddleworth. The Party took 96 votes (0.27%) in the polls.

Candidates For Scottish and Local Elections

The Party is still looking for candidates for the upcoming elections in May. Members wishing to apply should apply on the forum, contact their Local RAO or contact the Nominating Officer at j.barron@pirateparty.org.uk

Pirate Conference

Tickets are still available for the first party conference, to be held in Glasgow on February 26th. Individual tickets cost £18.50, and can be paid in advance via paypal, or on the door. If you plan to pay on the door, please still register your attendance with eventbrite - you do not have to pay now.

You can buy your tickets here: http://pirateconference.eventbrite.com/

Policy Proposals

The Party is still accepting policy proposals ahead of the drafting of the 2011 Party Manifesto. At the end of January there will be a vote on all proposals.

You can add your proposals here: http://www.pirateparty.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=2738#p24800

Web Team Volunteers Needed

The Party is looking to rebuild the Web Team. We are in need of members with all ...

Happy New Year, everyone.

It's the end of an interesting year for Pirate Party UK. We've taken part in our first General Election, gathering over 1000 votes; we've elected our first Board of Governors, and our second Party Leader; we've taken part in our first local election; and now we're gearing up for a Parliamentary By-Election in the New Year, and the elections and referendum in May. We appreciate the support you've shown us since our formation in 2009, and we hope you stay with us as we enter this next stage in our journey.

Oldham East & Saddleworth By-Election Update (31/12/10)

Despite short deadlines, and delivery woes, we have now secured our mailshot.

The next task is to get help from our members on foot in Oldham and Saddleworth to gather support for the campaign. We will definitely be out on 3rd and 8th January and any other day we can. What we also need from those who cant come and help us in Oldham is for people to get in contact with local business groups and community groups to arrange meetings with Loz and interviews. Dont look for approval, just send Graeme an email or text when it is done, the more the merrier.

We also need confirmation from those wanting to be counting and polling agents, we would like to get as close to the 37 agent limit as possible for the count and at the moment we only have a handful confirmed. We need you to email Graeme at g.lambert@pirateparty.org.uk or text him at 07538082246 if you want to come with your name and the address for Oldham council to send your pass too, which you need to get into the count. We will provide you with accommodation, bring a sleeping bag for it to be comfortable accommodation! The sooner you book transport like train journeys the better and cheaper it will be. We may be able to assist with the costs, just ask!

Full details at http://www.pirateparty.org.uk/blog/2010/dec/31/oes-election-update/

Pirate Parties Condemn Violence Against Wikileaks' Staff (30/12/10)

In a joint declaration with other Pirate Parties, today the Pirate Party of the United Kingdom strongly condemns any attacks on Wikileaks infrastructure and more so any attacks on Wikileaks staff, as reported by Wikileaks in March and ...

Pirate Parties Mirror Wikileaks to Support Whistleblowing Worldwide (05/12/10)

Pirate Parties from around the world, including the Pirate Party UK, have reaffirmed their commitment to whistleblowing worldwide. Concerned about freedom of information, opinion and press, the Pirate Parties have decided in a joint resolution to make Wikileaks available on a worldwide mirroring infrastructure. The mirrors will guarantee that the release of US diplomatic cables can continue and previous publications will stay online.

Full Release here: http://www.pirateparty.org.uk/press/releases/2010/dec/5/pirate-parties-mirror-wikileaks-support-whistleblo/

Opening of Nominations for Election Candidates (10/12/10)

The Party is now looking for people willing to stand in the upcoming elections in May 2011, including our primary focus on the Scottish Parliamentary Election.

For more details see http://www.pirateparty.org.uk/blog/2010/dec/10/candidates-2011/

Free Student Membership (16/12/10)

For the rest of December, students are able to join Pirate Party UK, free of charge.

For details and Terms & Conditions see http://www.pirateparty.org.uk/blog/2010/dec/16/free-student-membership/

Pirate Party UK enters Oldham East and Saddleworth by-election

Pirate Party UK has announced our intent to stand a candidate in the Oldham East and Saddleworth by-election. Loz Kaye, the Pirate Party UK leader, will campaign on a platform promoting freedom of speech and government transparency.

People are fed up of politicians that promise one thing, then do another. It is vital that we can hold our representatives to account, and I support the rights of whistleblowers to keep citizens informed. We are the only party which has had the courage to openly support Wikileaks, and we will continue to fight for the freedom of speech and of the press that are required in a functioning representative democracy.

http://www.pirateparty.org.uk/press/releases/2010/dec/17/pirate-party-uk-enters-oldham-east-and-saddleworth/

Leaders Reports

As usual, the latest reports from Party Leader Loz Kaye are available to read on the forum here: http://www.pirateparty.org.uk/forum/viewforum.php?f=77

Pirate Conference Tickets Now On Sale

Tickets for our first conference in Glasgow are now on sale via http://pirateconference.eventbrite.com/

Individual tickets cost £18.50, and can be paid in advance via paypal, or on the door. If you plan to pay on the door, please still register your attendance with eventbrite - you do not have to pay now.

The conference will take place ...

Pirates Overwhelmingly Endorse AV

Pirates across the country have overwhelmingly voted in favour of supporting AV, with over 90% of those voting expressing the desire to see us fight for reform this May. As a result, Pirate Party UK will now actively campaign for AV, and encourage its members to get involved in the fight for change, primarily through the Yes In May campaign.

Members can see the full results of the vote here: https://www.pirateparty.org.uk/vote/8/

Leaders Reports

Reports for the 22nd and 30th November from our leader Loz Kaye have been published on the forum. To read these and ask him questions, see http://www.pirateparty.org.uk/forum/viewforum.php?f=77

Pirate Party Conference

Planning for the party conference in Glasgow on 26^th February continues. Whilst details have not yet been finalised, it promises to be an interesting day, with multiple panels and speakers. We hope you will be able to attend.

If you live in the area and would like to help out, contact f.archibald@pirateparty.org.uk

A Bit of Give and Take

If you want to do something to help the party, but aren't sure what needs doing, why not check the Help Needed page on the wiki: http://www.pirateparty.org.uk/wiki/Help_Needed

If there's something you'd like the executive to handle, contact them at exec@pirateparty.org.uk , or post the request here: http://www.pirateparty.org.uk/wiki/Workspace:Requests

Pirate Bay

In a statement following the failed appeal in the Pirate Bay case, Party Leader Loz Kaye said:

"The Pirate Bay judgement is as disproportionate as it is ineffective. The pursuing of filesharers in the courts puts money in the pockets of lawyers rather than artists. Equally, despite the high profile nature of the case, filesharing continues to rise in Sweden, and worldwide. Just as home taping did not kill music, neither will downloading.

I am deeply concerned that this will encourage ever more draconian legislation in the UK aimed at restricting people's access to the Internet. We can already see from the BPI's statements that they support censorship. The Internet community feels under siege and frustrations are building. Governments and the music industry are alienating the very people who will be able to grow the Digital Economy." 

Pirates across the country have overwhelmingly voted in favour of supporting AV, with over 90% of those voting expressing the desire to see us fight for reform this May. As a result, Pirate Party UK will now actively campaign for AV, and encourage its members to get involved, primarily through the Yes In May campaign.