A Response from Restore Britain
At least someone needed to create the template.
At least someone needed to create the template.
I have received a reply to my email to Restore Britain both of which are reproduced below. Nobody was willing to put their name to the reply, confirming it to be a generic response.
As you can see, not many of my questions received an answer or were even acknowledged. The one thing that is clear is that, unlike Reform UK, we’ll not be privy to their membership/supporters’ numbers. That is to remain secret.
Question 1 was ignored, despite the document being in the public domain if you wish to pay Companies House for it. I was seeking a clause in the articles which committed the company to being a not-for-profit organisation. I’m guessing there isn’t one. If that is so, then all donations will belong to the company and its shareholders. On winding up they will simply pocket them.
Question 2 was ignored.
Question 3 was ignored.
Question 4 was ignored.
Question 5 was ignored.
Question 6 was ignored.
Question 7 received a ‘sort of’ reply. Not to the question directly but alluding to some sort of process which simply doesn’t exist. There’s no mechanism on their website to enable members/supporters to submit policy ideas or how the ‘Policy Unit’ will be populated or any structure at all.
Question 8 received a definitive answer.
Question 9 was ignored.
My Letter
Good afternoon,
I write as one who agrees with Rupert Lowe on most things, you could say we are politically joined at the hip, so to speak. So, I write this, not to be awkward or to promote discord, but because I like to know how organisations are structured and run, so that I can make my own assessment of their likely benefit.
As a private limited company owned by Lowe and Oliver Ltd it would have articles of association. Would you be able to provide these publicly available documents please?
There appears to be no constitution for this organisation, no descriptive role for ‘members’, or rights, or responsibilities. Is it the intention to provide such a constitution and member rights?
For a movement ‘rooted in direct democracy’, the organisation itself doesn’t have much of it. Is it the intention to develop Restore Britain to be run on democratic principles and if so, would it not be more appropriate for the organisation to be a company limited by guarantee, instead of being privately owned.
With no formal role, rule book or specified rights for ‘members’, would it not be more accurate to describe them as ‘Supporters’?
Your terms and condition include a rationale for collecting personal data which includes ‘and complying with electoral regulations’, though not being a registered political party and not able to contest elections, you aren’t required to comply with any electoral regulations. Is this an error?
These terms and conditions also state ‘we need to fundamentally change the way that Britain is governed’, how do you propose to do that and what fundamental changes did you have in mind. Would you be interested in a very well-constructed template for radical change which addresses the concerns that Rupert often speaks of and directly hands real electoral power to the voter throughout a parliamentary term; no coalitions needed?
Whilst I understand that policy will be voted on by the membership/paid up supporters, how do you propose to formulate policy? By what mechanisms do you propose to appoint (or elect) people to construct and present detailed policy proposals based upon the broad objectives headlined under ‘Policies’ on the website’? Are you interested in policy documents that address fundamental concerns in our society such as how to eliminate industrial action, a tax structure for the future, or how to immediately stop the boat crossings? If you were to be interested in such input, what mechanisms do you propose to put in place to receive such concepts/ideas and how could you ensure that submissions receive appropriate scrutiny as opposed to the usual practice of funnelling anything not invented ‘ere’, directly to the bin?
Will you be publishing a membership/supporter’s current tally on the website so people can see how you’re doing?
Your objectives and ideals are scarily like the Together Declaration run by Alan Miller, being also equally opaque as to how things are decided and run. Why did you decide to replicate the function of this four-year-old and quite well supported organisation which is already up and running? Would it not have been pragmatic to merge resources and work together?
I thank you for your time and look forward to your reply.
David Allen
Their reply
Good afternoon, David,
Thank you for your pertinent questions. Unfortunately, we won't be able to answer many at this stage as either we're still working on the documents, solutions and best way forward. We are looking to make announcements in coming weeks as things progress.
We are currently welcoming members to send in their policy submissions and the Policy Unit - which is currently and initially being constructed by appointment only, will read and review relevant submissions to the topic - announcements to come but members are also welcome to submit themselves to work within the policy unit.
We have no current plans to share our membership numbers. When our platform which is still in development is released and voting and campaigns start we hope you will find many more of your questions answered.
Best wishes,
The Restore Britain Team