A. Name

The political party described in this Constitution is The Divergent Party.

B. The Divergent Party Beliefs and Aims

B1. The Divergent Party believes in the sovereignty of the United Kingdom as a nation and the full authority of its people in the governance and direction of that nation.

B2. The Divergent Party believes that the government of the United Kingdom must place the interests of the British people over and above the citizens of other nations.

B3. The Divergent Party believes that all public servants in any capacity, must be accountable to the British public and that it should be illegal for any public servant to knowingly lie in the capacity of that service.

B4. The Divergent Party believes in the democratic right to freedom of speech; excluding only direct incitement to violence.

B5. The Divergent Party believes in free and fair elections with one vote in all public elections afforded to all citizens (photo ID required). And that any standing candidate of any political party can assign two individuals with full recorded access rights to the election process and procedure to ensure integrity. This includes the option to voters of making their vote public.

B6. The Divergent Party believes in the equality of all citizens before one law, as determined by elected representatives in Parliament or the public via referendums.

B7. The Divergent Party believes in the preservation of traditional British liberties.
This specifically include the right to trial by jury and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.

B8. The Divergent Party believes in the rights of the individual only. That all individuals always have bodily autonomy and that parents have full rights over their own children up to the age of 16.

B9. The Divergent Party believes in the liberty of all citizens to live privately and without unnecessary state or public intrusion.

B10. The Divergent Party believes in freedom of thought and the rights of the individual to assent to, or reject, any philosophical, political, or religious belief system, without penalty.

B11. The Divergent Party believes that no issue can be decided by parliament after a 1% of the UK population petition. It must go to referendum! A public event with experts from both sides of the argument will have the opportunity to present evidence in order to assist public opinion. 

B12. The Divergent Party believes no media outlet can be treated unfairly.

B13. The Divergent Party believes access to basic finance cannot be withheld for any reason. (IE A basic bank account). That no financial transactions can have limitations on amounts and that any individual always has the right of access to their own finances.

B14. The Divergent Party believes that justice is seen to be done. This can under specific considerations include cameras in UK courts and a special protection in any case of self-defence. Specifically that protection of victims and witnesses is paramount.

C. The Divergent Party Objectives

C1. The Divergent Party seeks to make all political information available and open to scrutiny. Only information with a direct national security interest can remain confidential. This can be challenged at any time with a random public jury decision.

C2. The Divergent Party seeks to advance its aims at every level of politics; including standing candidates in local, county, and Parliamentary elections (not exclusively).

C3. The Divergent Party strives to translate its beliefs and aims into policies which are kept under review to ensure that they meet changing circumstances. To this end it fosters debate and discussion, both inside and outside the Party.

C4. In order to put its policies into effect, The Divergent Party seeks to identify suitable candidates from among its membership to stand for public office.

C5. From time to time The Divergent Party campaigns on specific issues, and in doing so it may make common cause with other groups and organizations whose aims are compatible.

C6. The Divergent Party is an open and outward looking organization, always seeking new members.  The Divergent Party is open to all who agree with its aims (subject to D. below).

D. Membership

D1. Membership of The Divergent Party is open to all who support its Beliefs, Aims and Objectives.

D2. Membership of The Divergent Party commences upon declaration to the party. Donation are always welcome.

D3. Members have the right to disagree with aspects of The Divergent Party policy and manifesto. However, those who stand for public office have a special responsibility to think through their opposition and in their campaigning to make clear the difference between the Party’s manifesto and their own view.

E. Rights of Members

Members of The Divergent Party have the following rights:

• to be offered equal opportunities to participate in the activities of the Party

• to attend and observe any Party meetings

• to have such details about themselves as may be held by the Party kept confidential and not disclosed to any other person without their permission;

• to be sent promptly any information about the Party and its activities which is available, subject to payment of the reasonable costs of providing that information, but excluding membership lists and any other information which the party governance declares to be confidential.

F. Refusal or Revocation of Membership and Disputes among Members

F1. Membership of The Divergent Party may be refused or revoked by the party’s governance for the following reasons:

a) active support for a person standing against a Divergent Party candidate;
b) membership of a rival political party;
c) failure to comply with Government legislation relating to political parties and elections.
d) Involvement in the promotion of political values (such as racism, anti-Semitism, sexism) that are not compatible with the beliefs of The Divergent Party (subject to the discretion of the party leader).

F2. Members of The Divergent Party who stand at any Parliamentary Election in opposition to an officially nominated Divergent Party candidate, or who fail to comply with Government legislation relating to political parties and elections, automatically and immediately forfeit their membership of The Divergent Party.

F5. In any dispute between members or groups of members efforts must first be made to resolve the matter at the most local practical level. If this has proved impossible the dispute may be referred to the party’s governance for decision.

G. Party Governance

G1. For the first five years of its existence, the party will be governed by the party leader in conjunction with the party treasurer and nominating officer. This is subject to any additional appointments the party leader may make during this time.

G2. The party leader will remain in post for the first five years of the existence of the party. At the end of a five-year period, leadership elections may be held.

G3. The party’s treasurer has put in place a party financial structure in compliance with the relevant legal requirements.

G4. The party will be structured nationally in accordance with the party Rule Book, which will be based on learned best practice.

G5. The Rule Book will be written by the party leader, and any others that may be appointed by the party leader, and will be the subject to the approval of the party leader.

G6. The party will be funded by donations. All necessary legal obligations in this regard will be met by the party treasurer. All funding, expenses and costs will be published on the party website.

G7. The party will be dissolved on the agreement of the party’s governance and party leader.