Results from survey 5, on The European Union and the Party Constitution. (You can still take this survey here, and there's a complete list of our surveys here.)
The European Union (EU) is an inefficient institution which allows an unacceptable degree of waste and corruption. It fails to connect with the people, it lacks transparency, and it is in danger of losing democratic legitimacy. On the other hand, these problems can be addressed and solved; it is important that the EU should succeed; potentially, our membership of the EU is a positive rather than a negative. Britain should be tough and energetic in striving to improve the EU, rather than quit.
- Broadly accept this position 90%
- Reject this position 8%
- Don’t know 2%
There was a strong sense that an elected Your Party representative to the European Parliament could act as an uncompromising champion for positive change. By being more closely connected to the British population, and by being free from a political-party ideology, that champion could have a stronger voice and a more clearly defined role to affect the EU agenda.
- Broadly agree with this 84%
- Disagree 9%
- Don’t know 7%
It was suggested that an elected Your Party representative to the European Parliament could act as ‘champion for whistleblowers’, someone positively engaged with the EU but nevertheless strongly challenging waste, corruption, obscurity, and undemocratic processes.
- Broadly support this position 93%
- Reject 4%
- Don’t know 3%
Some suggested that existing parties were hamstrung by internal splits and ideologies to properly represent the interests of the British people in the European Parliament, and this is something which makes the EP ineffective. Do you agree or disagree?
- Agree 61%
- Disagree 21%
- Don't know 18%
And on the Your Party constitution...
All major policy decisions should be taken by the membership
- Broadly agree 95%
- Disagree 3%
- Don't know 2%
There will be some decisions that the membership will not want to vote on because, for example, they are minor, purely technical or administrative in nature. Examples of such decisions might include matters relating to the look of the website or to the numerous minor amendment votes that an MP faces in the House of Commons.
- Broadly agree 85%
- Disagree 8%
- Don't know 7%
However, to ensure that the membership can take any decisions they wish to, there should be simple 'safety net' provisions whereby the membership can ask for a vote on any particular issue (even if it is a minor, purely technical or administrative issue)
- Broadly agree 94%
- Disagree 5%
- Don't know 1%
The party needs an Executive Board which will be responsible for running the Your Party organisation on a day-to-day basis (but not for taking policy decisions)
- Broadly agree 95%
- Disagree 2%
- Don't know 3%
Positions on such a Board should be subject to membership elections at each AGM (with the exception of the initial Interim Board which would oversee operations prior to the first AGM):
- Broadly agree 93%
- Disagree 4%
- Don't know 3%
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