A big week for Pirate Party UK

[LozKaye]

It's been quite a week for Pirate Party UK.

We've seen a boost in members, not least because of the Pirate Bay ruling. I'd like to welcome all new members - it's clear that the Pirate Party is needed like never before. We remain on a dangerous slippery slope to Internet censorship here in the UK. While the government is fond of speaking up for digital rights abroad it seems unable to support them here at home. The truth is that the coalition has no Internet policy- last year they promised to ditch the site blocking parts of the Digital Economy Act, yet here we are with site blocking being forced on us.

It's vital we have a political solution. Many people are fed up of signing yet another ePetition and getting spam from the likes of 38 Degrees. Protests are important, but what happens after they are over and everyone has gone to the pub? What we need is new blood in British politics. That's what we are here to do.

And that's what we are beginning to deliver. We have had our best ever Scottish results and best ever UK results overall. I'm glad to be able to say that I beat the LibDems in the Manchester local elections and "hold my deposit" by getting over 5% of the vote. That's thanks to the work of activists. Yes, it was a small number of voters that determined the results- but when dissatisfaction with politics is at the high level it is now, it is an achievement to get anyone to the ballot box at all.

That's the work we have ahead of us. It's not going to be easy. Democratic participation in the UK is crumbling. We don't have the advantage the Germans do that people still vote despite feeling alienated. We have to build trust up from the grassroots- to show a more open and transparent system is possible. I'll need your help - get in touch with campaigns@pirateparty.org.uk - and get in touch with me.

We've shown that we know how to fight elections to stand up for digital rights, to stand up for the areas we live in, to stand up for civil liberties. Let's get active on the ground and online as it's clear no-one else will.

All the best,
Loz Kaye
Leader Pirate Party UK

BBC on Pirate Bay ruling: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-17894176
May 3rd Elections: http://www.pirateparty.org.uk/press/releases/2012/may/4/pirate-party-uk-best-ever-result-uk-election/
http://www.pirateparty.org.uk/press/releases/2012/may/4/best-ever-result-pirate-party-scotland/

[azrael]

Congratulations to all three teams! You put in a lot of time and effort, so much hard work and it has really paid off! We all know how fantastic this result is, hitting the 5% mark is a huge leap for us in such a small amount of time and is a testament to the the work done not just in this campaign but over a longer period of time.

It shows us all something that shouldn't really be a surprise, that successful campaigns don't begin in election season, but years earlier. Being part of a political party shows you care deeply about something. There aren't many of us right now, compared to the big parties, but we are growing day by day. But because there aren't that many of us, it means the Party relies on us, needs us all to get involved in any and all ways that we can. So to all members, new and old, I say the following. Many is a time when you may be sitting at home thinking 'what can I do?' and all to often it seems like there isn't anything that can be done. But this is evidence of what can be achieved, and what it needs is the willingness and the patience to go out into your local community on a regular basis, for weeks, months, years, and make a difference.

Look around your local community and pick out the issues that really affect people, that matter to your community. Find things that aren't being done, find things that are being done and shouldn't be, and make your voice heard. Make a difference and when it is noticed tell anyone that will listen that Pirates are a force for good, a force for change. Each one of us, in everything we do publicly, is the face of Pirate Party UK. Each one of us can promote the Party and spread our message. If every day we can each teach one more person that we exist and what we stand for, then next election half the battle of persuading people to vote for us is already won.

Maybe in a few years time we will be congratulating YOU, dear reader, on your 10%, or 30% vote haul. Maybe we'll be congratulating you on winning and becoming a councillor, an MEP, or even an MP!

Results don't come out of nowhere, they take effort. Loz gave you the address of how to get in touch. If you want to see a candidate (maybe even YOU) getting 5% or even more in an election where you are next time around, then get in touch with campaigns@pirateparty.org.uk and let them know you're ready to help.

[tempest3k]

First of all, let me again congratulate all our candidates who stood last week and their support teams. We've come a long way in the past couple of years that I've been working as a party official.

It shows us all something that shouldn't really be a surprise, that successful campaigns don't begin in election season, but years earlier. Being part of a political party shows you care deeply about something. There aren't many of us right now, compared to the big parties, but we are growing day by day. But because there aren't that many of us, it means the Party relies on us, needs us all to get involved in any and all ways that we can. So to all members, new and old, I say the following. Many is a time when you may be sitting at home thinking 'what can I do?' and all to often it seems like there isn't anything that can be done. But this is evidence of what can be achieved, and what it needs is the willingness and the patience to go out into your local community on a regular basis, for weeks, months, years, and make a difference.

Maybe in a few years time we will be congratulating YOU, dear reader, on your 10%, or 30% vote haul. Maybe we'll be congratulating you on winning and becoming a councillor, an MEP, or even an MP!

I don't intend on waiting years - I'm already starting work on our next election campaign with Andy (Campaigns Officer), Loz and other members. One thing that came out of the last campaign is that getting out and meeting people is important, we need feet on the ground to actually go out and TALK to people so they can see we are serious about the issues that effect them. Every member can help with this - we need support both on the ground (Explaining why people should consider voting pirate, finding out what their issues/concerns are and generally raising our profile) and with getting the resources developed to support them (think leaflets, site design and press team for starters). If you think you can help with this, please get in touch with either the campaigns team or myself.

As there is no central list (for locals at least), for some areas I'm also reliant on members informing me when there are elections in their area they would like the party to consider standing in. I'd like to expand the areas we are campaigning in, so I need both information and more importantly candidates to stand across the country. If you can help with either of these areas, please let me know - p.cooke@pirateparty.org.uk

[azrael]

As there is no central list (for locals at least), for some areas I'm also reliant on members informing me when there are elections in their area

Back in the dawn of time when I was SE RAO I made a list of authority types in the South East which included some rough (as accurate as I could find or extrapolate info) upcoming election times. Can be found on the wiki http://www.pirateparty.org.uk/wiki/Sout ... Government quite a few 2013 dates in there for: Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey, West Sussex, and Isle of Wight.