About the Fighting Climate Change Party
The Party's constitution is as follows:
1 The Aim of Fighting Climate Change", heinafter called FCC, is to pursue the fight against climate change from within the political system. A number of Eco groups try to influence politicians by marching and protesting, but the aim of FCC is to encourage politicians from within the political system by having a representative "in the House", i.e. an MP.
Objectives: The United Nations Climate Change Executive has warned that there is “two years to save the world” and called for a “quantum leap” in finance to help countries speed up plans to cut planet-cooking emissions. Since a UK Parliamentary general election is approaching, the party intends to field a candidate to contest a seat at that election, and should that candidate be successful, she/he will work with the next government to help them to:
2 The party will be registered in the Great Britain register.
3 At the creation of the party, the party officers will agree between them on the selection of a candidate. When the party has more than 1000 members, the membership will vote on who should be selected to run for a seat, if more than one person wishes to stand for a given seat. In the event of a tie, the party leader will have the casting vote.
4 At the creation of the party, the Party Leader and Party Treasurer is Chris Harwood, and the Nominating Officer is Robert Giambrone. Once the party has more than 1000 members, posts will be decided by vote, with the Party Leader having the casting vote.
5 The day-to-day running of the Party will be managed by the Party Leader, until there are 1000 members, at which time it will be democratically decided by the party (by meeting and vote). The responsibility of the party officers is:
Both/All officers:
Once there are 1000 members, the membership may request a change of officer. If 100 members request a change (by email), then a ballot will be taken and if 60% of the membership agree, then nominations will be solicited, and a vote of the entire membership will be taken. A change will be made if more than 60% of the membership agree.
6 Party meetings will be held by Zoom. This will be once a month, or more frequently if more than 10% of the membership request it. Day-to-day decisions will be taken by party officers, but substantial matters will be voted on at the monthly meeting, with the Party Leader having the casting vote. For voting and decision making purposes, a meeting will be deemed quorate if more than 50% of the membership is present. Decisions will be recorded in a Diary of Decisions, and also published on the Party's web site.
7 Internal disputes will be voted on at the monthly meeting. A disciplinary issue is one in which a member behave in a way that breaks the law, which will be reported to the police, or which contravenes the party policies: Safeguarding, Slavery, and Equality (#11 below). If a member contravenes a policy but does not break the law, they will be asked to retract and apologise. If they do, their apology will be recorded and the matter allowed to rest. If the contravention is repeated, the member will be asked to leave the party and they will not be allowed to renew their annual membership.
8 The Party has a Financial Scheme, which is adopted by the Party.
9 Changing the constitution: While the party has less than 1000 members, the Party Officers will determine the constitution and make changes as they see fit, voting on significant changes; the Party Leader having casting vote. After reaching 1000 members, changes will be made by a vote of the entire membership; changes only being accepted if voted for by more than 60% of the membership. The constitution must at all times compy with equalities law and the Party Policies.
10 The process for dissolution of the party: A vote of 75% of the membership is needed to dissolve the party. If the party is to be dissolved, then all members will be informed, assets will be sold, and after final resolution of finances the balance will be donated to Extinction Rebellion, or, if that is no longer in existence, to an Ecological organisation, as decided by the Party Officers, with the Party Leader having the casting vote.
11 Policies and Membership rules:
The Party has a duty to take reasonable care of children and adults at risk who are affected by its activities.
The policy aims to promote and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children and adults at risk, by ensuring that everyone who comes into contact with children/adults at risk (and their families) has a role to play.
The party believes that no adult at risk or young person should experience abuse or harm, and is committed to the protection of children and young people. It acknowledges different forms of abuse and harm, including, but not limited to physical or emotional abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, grooming and exploitation, trafficking and slavery, bullying, violence or criminal behaviour, self harm, and physical harm when engaging with activities.
Those leading the organisation or in charge of specific activities hold responsibility for:
Where a child or adults at risk is at immediate risk of serious harm, any adult present should call 999.
Where there is a safeguarding concern but no immediate risk of serious harm, the adult who has heard or witnessed this concern should tell the organiser of the event.
When a disclosure relating to harm or abuse to an adult is made, it is important for that adult to:
Upon receipt of any safeguarding concern, the organisers shall make any appropriate referrals to the relevant authorities, such as the Local Authority Children’s Services Department.
Managing Risks Posed by Other Children or Aduls At Risk
Adults involved with activities undertaken by the organisation must recognise that children and adults at risk can face harm from their peers. This can commonly take the form of bullying. Bullying can be defined as any behaviour which is both repeated and which has the intention of harming somebody physically or emotionally.
Bullying can include physical harm, name calling and cyberbullying.
Bullying should always be challenged and be reported as appropriate.
Members need to be aware of the possibility of modern slavery, and act to avoid any action that might support slavery and human trafficking.
Any activity undertaken by the Party should be risk assessed and managed to minimise the possibility of hidden slavery and trafficking.
Members should be aware of supply chain issues and the possibility of child labour abuses, and a risk asessment should be undertaken if it is suspected that any proposed activity might support slavery or human trafficking.
All members must ensure that they act within equalities law, and should ensure that they do not deliberately or accidentally discriminate against persons with protected characteristics from becoming party members.
Members, whether as elected representatives, candidates or campaigners, must refrain from any conduct which might reasonably be interpreted as:
in relation to any individual or group of people on the basis of their actual or perceived protected or other personal characteristics.
This includes speeches, statements and published material, including words or images, through articles, social media activity, leaflets, broadcasts, posters or other materials, both during election campaigns and at other times.
Party officers will prompltly investigate any complaint of any such conduct made against party members and act in accord with #7, above.
Party elected representatives must not discriminate in the way in which they represent the interests of all their constituents, and must take reasonable steps to use their positions to foster good relations between different groups.
Membership of the party is by annual application.
By applying to become a member of the Fighting Climate Change party, applicants agree to accept and conform to the constitution, and principles of the Party.
Applicants also confirm that they are not a member of any organisation incompatible with membership of the Fighting Climate Change Party.
By entering their email and/or postal addresses, applicants agree to receive communications from the Party. Applicants can opt-out of this by replying to the communication, simply saying "Unsubscribe".
Party officials will not share members' details with anyone outside the Party, unless required to do so by law.
Where provided, members' email address will be used to send their ballot electronically for all relevant internal elections.
Donations to a political party are regulated by the Political Parties Elections and Referendums Act 2000.
Donors giving more than £500 must be on a UK electoral register (a check will be made before accepting a donation).
Donations must be from the donor’s own funds and may not be passed on from a third party. It is an offence not to reveal the true source of a donation.
Donations to political parties are not tax-deductible.