Policy Proposal Voting Results 2014
Decided Policy Proposals
2014: RESULTS Key:
[amend] = amends existing policy
[subs] = substitutes existing policy with new text
[delete] = deletes existing policy
[new] = entirely new policy
[+] = amends by adding text
[-] = amends by deleting text
(BOLD NUMBER = Policy Proposal number on voting paper)
TURNOUT (Members entitled to vote voting) 75%)
POLICY PROPOSALS 2014
CRIME & PUNISHMENT
(1) 2.13 (Add) Reporting of suspect’s identities and court proceedings MUST be accompanied by the statement “INNOCENT UNLESS PROVEN GUILTY” in the sub-headline in newspapers, first paragraph in other written media and spoken verbally in audio/visual media. (The restating of this central maxim of criminal justice aims to remind the general public that suspects and defendants are not guilty unless proven so in court and reduce stigma for those subsequently not charged or convicted.) (65) A100%
CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENERGY
(2) 3.0 (Add) Pursue a Europe-wide reduction in dependence on Russian sources of energy. (01) A100%
ECONOMY & TRADE (and ENTERPRISE)
(3) 6.2 (Add) New infrastructure investment to concentrate on improving infrastructure in the regions outside London and the South East to redress the serious imbalance in spending, and resulting infrastructure, that currently exists. (Infrastructure spending per head in London is currently over 20 times that in the North of England and the negative effects of this are clear to see.) (01) A100%
(4) 46.7 & 7.10 (New) All UK businesses to produce a Social Responsibility Index (SRI), to be displayed to customers. THE SRI will detail (in an easily understandable format) that business’s performance in terms of UK tax paid, status of workers (employee or agency, zero hours contract etc.) whether employees are paid a Living Wage, pay differentials between highest and lowest paid staff, charitable and community engagement and other indicators of social responsibility. (The recent Starbucks example shows that consumers will punish businesses deemed not to be playing fair by taking their custom elsewhere. This is a powerful tool in ensuring social responsibility in a market economy but only if consumers are given the information to make such choices. The SRI aims to do just that.) (32) A100%
HEALTH
(5) 13.11 (New) All patients treated by the NHS to sign up to a system of Independent Arbitration to deal with allegations of medical negligence. This will replace the current expensive system of litigation that generally benefits lawyers more than patients. This should substantially reduce the amount currently spent by the NHS both insuring against and defending medical negligence actions. (01) A100%
JUSTICE
(6) 19.4 (New) Victim impact statements WILL form part of Parole Board’s considerations in deciding applications for parole and other variations in sentencing conditions. (01) A100%
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
(20.5 (New) Devolve infrastructure spending and other economic and enterprise spending decisions to the regions of the UK, with decisions being made by coalitions of local authorities. (01) A100%
POLITICAL REFORM
(8) 23.0 (Amend) Replace ‘at Westminster’ with ‘in Parliament’ to match our intent to move Parliament out of London. (84) A100%
(9) 23.3 (Replace) Relocate Parliament out of London and closer to the geographical heart of the UK and closer to the people. The new Parliament will be housed in modern, purpose built accommodation built to a strict budget and financed by selling the existing Palace of Westminster (excluding the two debating Chambers and Westminster Hall which will be kept in public ownership for historic and ceremonial purposes.) The new parliament buildings will be designed to encourage public access, transparency and genuine democracy and discourage the arrogance that housing politicians in palaces tends to engender. (84) A100%
(10) 23.12 (New) Devolve infrastructure spending and other economic and enterprise spending decisions to the regions of the UK, with decisions being made by coalitions of local authorities. (01) A100%
2013 Policy Proposal Voting Results:
Crime
(1). 2.0 [amend] Murder to be punishable by life imprisonment with a mandatory minimum tariff of 25 years (ie. all murderers to serve at least 25 years before being considered for parole.) (Increase from 20 years under current policy.) [32] RESULT 100% Adopted (A)
(2). 2.1 [amend] Aggravated murder offences (eg. child sexual murder, murder in the course of armed robbery, gang related murder, murder of vulnerable individuals, murder of police officers etc.), will receive higher mandatory minimums (30, 35, 40, whole life etc.)(Increase from 25, 30, 45 undercurrent policy) [32] RESULT 83.3% A.
(3). 2.13 [new] When suspects are arrested, the media may only report their name, age, town of abode and publish a photograph if necessary for the police investigation. No further reporting on the suspect's background or lifestyle will be permitted prior to conviction unless released by official police sources, the defence, or as evidence presented in court. (This aims to prevent innocent citizens having their lives torn apart by salacious reporting and contamination of jury deliberations by extraneous facts.) [01] RESULT 100% A.
(4). 2.13.1 [new – analogous to 2.13] In the immediate aftermath of the commission of a crime, the Police and all other investigating authorities such as the Crime Prosecution Service will not bepermitted to divulge any details of that crime either within a press conference or generally to thepublic, unless the details divulged are proportionate to the aim of appealing to the public forinformation. Examples of non-proportionate information would include potentially inflammatory statements which could have the effect of prejudicing the outcome of any future investigation or trial and could also include statements which threaten the dignity and privacy of the victim and/or their immediate families. [32] RESULT 100% A.
(5). 2.14 [new] To improve chances of rehabilitation, non-violent and non-sexual offences committed under the age of 17 will be removed from a person's criminal record at age 18. [02] RESULT 50% Not Adopted (NA).
(6). 2.15 [new] Non-violent and non-sexual offences committed over the age of 16 must no longer automatically bar citizens from any employment in the UK, but potential employers may consider such offences alongside all other attributes of the potential employee. [02] RESULT 50% NA.
(7). 2.16 [new] Email, regular mail and telephone scammers to be dealt with more severely and moreresource put in place to help catch them and bring them to justice. [13] RESULT 100% A.
(8). 2.17 [new] Anonymity to be preserved for accusers of sexual and violent crimes, with the addedproviso that anonymity may also be extended to the accused prior to trial. Anonymity may only be overruled following the conclusion of a trial provided that the Judge rules that it is in the public interestto do so, having taken into consideration the outcome of the trial and the views of the victim and / ort he accused. This should be enshrined within UK law. [32] RESULT 83.3% A.
(9). 2.18 [new] Any foreign national found guilty of an offence such as hate crime or inciting others todeclare war to face deportation. [32] RESULT 100% A.
The Policy Vote 2013/14 is provided as a download for your convenience.
Culture & Sport
(10). 4.3 [new] Government funded summer camps much like they do in America where children cango for 4-6 weeks of the school holidays and partake in sports that they may never play at school andbuild relationships with new people. [13] RESULT 50% NA
(11). 4.4 [new] Reformation of University sport starting with football, before moving onto Rugby andCricket. This would involve the affiliation of semi-professional clubs to local universities to encouragetheir young players (18-21) to receive a part-time education (Much like Team Bath FC did). TheBritish University cup finals would also be shown on TV. [13] RESULT 100% A.
(12). 4.5 [new] Large sporting events such as England World Cup matches etc to be shown on big screens in public places in major cities. London 2012 showed that sport can unite a whole nation and these kinds of events allow people from all walks of life to experience the sporting atmosphere. [13] RESULT 100% A.
Economy & Trade/Taxation
(13). 6.5 [new] The PDP should consider tightening the rules on tax relief to charitable businesses, including tightening up what is classed as a 'charitable' business. [02] RESULT 100% A.
(14). 6.6 [new] Businesses in this country trading and making profits from the people of this country must pay the taxes of this country, and anti tax-avoidance efforts must be strengthened. [02] RESULT 66.6% A.
Enterprise
(15). 7.8 [new] Run workshops at colleges and sixth forms at weekends to educate young entrepreneurs about how to start their own business and the tax and legal issues surrounding it. [13] RESULT 66.6% A.
(16). 7.9 [new] New regeneration programmes to be established in the most deprived areas to help invigorate the economies of these communities, improve prospects, increase jobs and employment, welfare and housing for members of these communities, and any funding given to local authorities for these purposes to be strictly audited with progress monitored. [32] RESULT 100% A.
Environment and Rural Affairs
(17). 8.4 [subs] Ban industrial dairy farming where cows are kept permanently indoors, rather than on pasture. Any corporation or individual found to be guilty of engaging in this practice shall receive a sentence of at least 5 years imprisonment. [32] RESULT 66.6% A.
Europe
(18). 10.0 [subs] Hold a binding In-Out referendum on our EU membership within two years, following renegotiation of our membership terms and a Royal Commission report on the pros and cons of our membership. Let the people decide, but let it be an informed choice, via a public awareness campaign which would be run six months prior to the referendum in order to provide members of the public with sufficient information to enable them to make an informed decision as to this important decision on EU membership. [32] RESULT 66.6% A.
Family
(19). 11.6 [subs/del] Ensure teenage mothers do not receive social housing, but instead live with their own families, or where this is not possible, live within a supportive environment, consisting in the main of a Multi-Agency Accommodation Centre. Here they will receive advice and support from experienced mothers, social workers and other young mums to enable them to be excellent parents and allow them to access training and employment. Additional support will also be made available for those young mothers disclosing parental or relationship abuse. This represents a major improvement on the current policy of dumping young mums on sink council estates with little or no support and incentivising them to have more kids in return for a career being 'married to the state'.
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[32](NB. This change to the existing policy simply replaces the potentially offensive term ‘Mother’s Home’ with the more neutral ‘ Multi-AgencyAccommodation Centre.’ And adds extra support re parental & relationship abuse) RESULT 100% A.
(20).11.7. [new] A crackdown on loan sharks who prey on vulnerable individuals and families and a raising awareness of other means of support for hard working families who find themselves struggling to make ends meet. Consideration to be given to introducing new government loans for essential items and payments only which could provide a viable alternative and valuable lifeline for such individuals.[32] RESULT 100% A.
Health
(23). 13.0 [subs] NHS to remain free at the point of delivery, though charges/exclusion will be imposed for persistent abusers of NHS services or staff, as well as for those who use violence and/or threats to intimidate staff upon first contact. [32] RESULT 83.3% A.
(24). 13.7 [subs] NHS Trusts will no longer produce thousands of bespoke policies but will adopt centrally drafted national standards and procedures. Additional policies will only be adopted if deemed necessary to preserve local needs or if deemed necessary to fulfill statutory obligations in respect of child protection, vulnerable adults and crime prevention for example, however all such additional policies should be reviewed between 1 – 3 years to ensure relevancy. [32] RESULT 100% A.
Housing
(25). 14.1 [amend] [+] New housing to be built on publicly owned brown-field sites will be exempt from local planning control, but such development must have regard to the impact on local communities, environment and Green Belt restrictions. (The housing crisis is so acute that emergency measures are required to provide homes, reduce Housing Benefit costs & stimulate economic growth.) [01] RESULT 100% A
(26). 14.9 [new] The issue of homelessness to be addressed particularly in light of the economic recession. Consideration to be given to building more government or third sector shelters when economically viable to do so, particularly around city centres. Other measures should include establishing statutory local strategic partnerships to discuss homelessness and individual cases on a regular basis with the ultimate view of providing assistance to that individual in the form of temporary accommodation. [32] RESULT 66.6% A.
Housing & Welfare
(27). 14.8 & 18.7 [new] Where Housing Benefit recipients in social housing which is too large for their needs refuse suitable alternative housing twice, their Housing Benefit may be reduced by 10% per week for each bedroom surplus to their needs. Assessment of tenants needs will have regard to illness, disability, shared parenting, absent service personnel and children in higher education, which may require 'additional' bedrooms. [01] RESULT 100% A.
Human Rights
(28). 15.1 [subs / del] We will seek to reform the Human Rights Act immediately. [32] RESULT 66.6% A.
(29). 15.4 [subs / del] Public funding will no longer be available for Human Rights cases unless stringent new criteria is met by the applicants, but unsuccessful claimants may appeal cases to the ECHR at their own (or supporters) expense. This will act as a vital filter to remove cases without any merit from the system. [32] RESULT 83.3% A.
Jobs & Welfare
(30). 18.3 [subs] The Long term unemployed (12 months plus) will be expected to join a Work Programme undertaking unpaid work for a minimum 12 hours per week in either not-for-profit organisations or on the State controlled Environmental Improvement Programme. Sanctions will apply for those refusing to participate. However, in concert with the applicant’s cooperation and willingness, every effort will be made to help that job seeker ensure that any unpaid work obtained is relevant or useful to their previous experience and/ or qualifications. This may ensure that the unpaid work contributes to strengthening that individual’s personal and professional development as well as providing him/ her with work experience. Claimants who do not cooperate with this policy will be allocated any work which the relevant authority deems most suitable and will face sanctions if they fail to participate in any new arranged work scheme, as per above. [32] RESULT 66.6% A.
(31). 18.8 [new] Child Benefit to be payable for a mother's first two children only, this rule will apply to any children born 12 months after its introduction, NOT children already living before this date. Currently living children will continue to receive Child Benefit. Exemptions will apply to twins, triplets etc. (We live in a country and world facing rapid population growth and diminishing resources - the state should not be incentivising population growth.) [01] RESULT 100% A.
(32). 18.9 [new] Other Welfare Benefits payable for children born after the date in 18.8 above will be dependent upon their parent's Tax and NI Contributions. Large families that fall on hard times after a period in work will continue to be supported but making a career of having kids on benefits will no longer be an option. Children currently living will continue to receive support. (Our aim is to encourage responsible parenthood and sustainable population growth.) [01] RESULT 100% A
Political Reform
(33). 23.8 [new] At least 5 weeks notice to be given of the date of any Parliamentary election or by-election. [01] RESULT 100% A.
(34). 23.9 [new] The deposit payable at all Parliamentary elections to be reduced to £250. [01] RESULT 66.6% A.
(35). 23.10 [new] A ‘None of the Above’ option to be included on ballot papers at all elections to allow voters to express dissatisfaction at the political parties/candidates on offer and encourage turnout. [01] RESULT 100% A.
Universities
(36). 28.5 [subs] More stringent academic entry requirements will be introduced (although merit will continue to be given to entrants with substantial professional experience in lieu of academic qualifications such as mature students) and low level vocational degree courses will be replaced by part-time vocational college courses. [32] RESULT 100% A.