The Templars Party Constitution

1. NAME
1. The name of the party shall be The Templars, hereinafter referred to as the Party.


2. AIMS
1. The primary aim of the Party is that Britain shall again be governed by laws made to suit its own needs by its own Parliament, which must be directly and solely accountable to the electorate of Britain . Continued membership of the European Union is incompatible with this principle. The Party will therefore campaign for the Britain's withdrawal from the European Union, initially by the repeal of the European Communities Act of 1972 and subsequent amendments to it. Until Britain's withdrawal is achieved, this aim receives special protection in this constitution. A further aim is to preserve the history, integrity and culture of Britain. This aim receives special protection in this constitution (see 7iii).
2. The party believes that all individuals - regardless of gender, sexuality, race and ethnicity - will suffer from ongoing and uncontrolled immigration. Therefore the Party will seek to install methods to monitor immigration, and laws to allow us to be more selective in granting residency. Furthermore we will endeavour to return failed asylum seekers and illegal immigrants, remove incentives to remain in Britain, and rights to appeal against the decisions of the British authorities. This aim receives special protection in this constitution (see 7iii).
3. The Party believes in serving the people, to create a better Britain. Therefore we will seek to invest heavily in people orientated services such as our Police forces, National Health Service, Pensions and Education. Furthermore the Party will seek to return authority and responsible autonomy to all levels of local government, and cut excessive red tape which prevents the effective and efficient services we aim to offer in abundance. A further aim is to enforce the highest attainable law and order through tougher credible minimum sentences, particularly with regard to drugs and violent crime. This aim receives special protection in this constitution (see 7iii).
4. The Party will campaign for a programme of national revival - the foundations of which can be found in our perpetually evolving manifesto - which will promote a full range of long-term, domestic policies at parliamentary and local elections. This aim receives special protection in this constitution (see 7iii).
5. The Party believes in serving the people who would put us in power, and in order to do this we will make every possible effort to stay close to the people and their views. The Party will seek the voice of the people through referendums on important national issues, and by greatly reducing the number of layers in government. Furthermore we would seek to decentralise our government, by moving selected government departments to other major cities nationally. This aim receives special protection in this constitution (see 7iii).
   


3. ACTIVITIES
1. In furtherance of these aims, the Party may take part in all democratic electoral processes. It may contest parliamentary elections, parliamentary by-elections, local elections, elections for the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh and Northern Irish Assemblies and regional elections.
2. Although the Party seeks to free Britain from all the institutions of the European Union, by bringing about its withdrawal from the European Union itself, it may until that aim is achieved, contest elections to the European Parliament and its successful candidates will take up the seats it has won.
3. The Party may also work together with other democratic parties and organisations for particular purposes consistent with its aims.
4. In the furtherance of its aims, the Party may:
1. raise funds and invite and receive contributions from any person or persons whatsoever by way of loan, subscription, donation or otherwise, within the limits established by electoral law;
2. publish, with or without charge, any items it sees fit;
3. employ and pay people to supervise, organise and carry out the Party's aims;
4. purchase, lease or rent property necessary to carry out the Party's aims and make arrangements for the management of any property acquired;
5. invest any monies of the Party not immediately required, in accordance with the Trustee Act of 1925; and
6. do all such other lawful things as are necessary for the attainment of its ends.
   


4. MEMBERSHIP
   1. Membership is open to those entitled to British citizenship.
   2. Members shall accept the Party's constitution and rules and maintain its reputation.
   3. Where constituency associations are established, membership shall be of the local Parliamentary Constituency Association and, by affiliation of the constituency association, of the national party.
   4. The Templars may accept affiliation from other organisations. Such affiliated bodies will not enjoy voting rights.
      


5. CONSTITUENCY ASSOCIATIONS
   1. The Party shall seek to establish an Association in every British parliamentary constituency. Constituency associations will affiliate to the national Party by resolution at their first corporate meeting.
   2. The constituency association has the responsibility for administering its own financial and other affairs, including the election of local officers and the selection of candidates for British parliamentary and local government elections. These functions will be conducted in accordance with the procedures set down in the Party's Rule Book.
   3. Where an organisation covers more than one parliamentary constituency it shall be known as a branch and paragraph 5.2 shall apply to it as if it were a constituency association.
   4. Where a constituency association or branch has not been established, it will be the responsibility of the Party Chairman, directly or by delegation, to administer the party in that area until a branch or association is established.
      


6. THE PARTY LEADER
   1. The Party leader shall give political and administrative direction to the Party.
   2. The Party leader shall be a member of The Templars enjoying full voting rights and shall be ex officio a member of all sub-committees and working groups set up by The Templars: shall, subject to Party approval, appoint a Deputy leader to render assistance and act in his place in his absence; shall, subject to the approval of the Party, appoint a Party chairman to be in day-to-day control of the Party organisation; may make such other appointments, in fields such as media relations and policy formulation, as he thinks fit; and shall approve the Party's manifesto and national statements of the Party's policies.
   3. A leadership election shall be called in the event of the leaders death, incapacity or resignation; or on the passing of a vote of no confidence by the Party if this is endorsed by an Emergency General Meeting of the Party; and on the leaders completion of his term of office.
   4. If there is only one valid nomination for the post of leader, the candidate nominated shall be elected without the need for a ballot, but ratification by a simple majority of members voting at the next Party Business Meeting is required in this case. If there are only two candidates, the one receiving more than 50% of the valid votes cast shall be elected. If there are three or more candidates, the election shall be by the single transferable vote system, as defined by the Electoral Reform Society. Those eligible to vote shall be paid up members 14 days before the last date for the receipt of ballot papers.
   5. When a vacancy in the leadership occurs, the election procedure laid down in the Party Rule Book shall be put in train by the Party Secretary. Until that process is completed, the deputy leader shall serve as acting leader.
      


7. THE CONSTITUTION: APPROVAL AND AMENDMENT
   1. This constitution shall come into force immediately following its approval by a simple majority of Party members.
   2. If the Party Leader proposes amendments to Paragraph 2 (AIMS) then a majority of 51% is required.
   3. Amendments to Paragraph 2 (AIMS) are protected and shall require an 80% majority.
   4. All other parts of this constitution may be amended by a two thirds majority of all valid Party members. Such ballots shall be held when a constitutional amendment is proposed by the Party, after its approval by a two thirds majority of senior Party members.