how would I go about becoming an MP for my local area?

Question

I would like to become an MP, but I do not wish to join an existing political party. I was hoping somebody would be able to assist me in setting up a new party, offering advice as to how I might tackle this issue at low or no personal financial cost. Mainly because I'm broke (lol).

Answer 1

You stand no chance of being an MP unless you stand for something. Even the major parties have manifestos (yes, I know). If you believe in some cause - as for instance Dr. Taylor of Kidderminster believed in saving his hospital - you should campaign for that. You could write to the local paper, set up a campaign group, collect a petition etc. etc. It will take over your life! You may or may not find that standing for parliament, or more likely the local council first, is a good way of pursuing this cause. And by that time you ought to have a group that will set up democratic selection procedures.

One of the increases in bureaucracy under the present government has been the introduction of rules for political parties. I disapprove because it is for the people to form parties, not bureaucracy to constrain them. Be that as it may, if you form a political party you will have to register it (unless it is to be an illegal subversive organisation) with the Electoral Commission, and submit annual accounts etc.
Look up:-
www.electoralcommission.gov.uk
I dare say if you were serious somebody at the Commission would give you informal advice or at least send you some bumpf.

Unfortunately, now that it's a bureaucratic procedure setting up a party will cost you money. Unless your cause has a lawyer volunteer, you should probably pay somebody to get your constitution watertight and quite possibly to prepare the registration. And you would need, again unless you could get a professional volunteer, an accountant. That's before the expense of elections and raising a deposit.

Being an MP for a minority party is not fun. It is very hard work. Unless you are from London you will have to live away from home. And your consituents will expect you to get things done whilst the major parties will be out to crush you. Basically, for most people there are beter ways of seeking political influence at the moment. If you really want to be an MP, you are probably best to seek to join whichever large party is nearest your own beliefs and seek to change it a little bit in the direction you want to go.

Don't think MPs have more power and prestige than they actually do!

Answer 2

Without joining a political party your chances of becoming an MP are roughly equivalent to zero.

You don't mention the country but in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand (as elsewhere) getting elected as an MP almost invariably requires you to join a major political party (whichever party is strongest in your district while lacking an incumbent––usually the number 2 party––offers your best chance).

If you do not wish to join an existing major or minor political party then you can run as an independent, but your odds of winning are very close to zero. Lacking money makes it even harder. A well financed or very locally popular independent may win, but the odds against are high.

Although always dependent on which riding you live in the following guide may help:

In Canada the Liberal Party offers your best chance for becoming an MP, with the Conservative Party a close second. If in Quebec the Bloc Quebecois is your best chance, and in a few areas the New Democratic Party may be your best hope.

In the United Kingdom the Labour Party is your best hope, followed by the Conservative Party and then the Liberal Democratic Party.

In New Zealand the Labour Party is your best hope, followed by National and then a host of smaller parties such as New Zealand First and ACT.

In Australia your best chance is the Coalition (either National or Liberal depending on location) followed closely by the Labor Party.

If you wish to become a Provincial (Canada), State (Australia), or Wales/Northern Ireland/Scotland member of their respective parliaments the equation varies depending on which region you are in and always keeping in mind your local area may vary from the norm.

If, despite the odds, you still wish to mount an independent campaign there are a number of how to books you can buy on Amazon that talk about running a political campaign. If you have politically inclined friends perhaps you can get them to fill the various positions campaigns need such as communications director, chief of staff, speechwriter and so forth.

Answer 3

You wouldn't be able to do it without any cost, as there is a deposit required to run for parliament, even as an independent.

Most MP's have served on a city or county council for a number of years, or have some legal background. if you don't have either but are serious, you should consider how you can get involved at a local (non-parliamentary) level first as you'll need the experience (and also the contacts if you propose to be sponsored) before running to become an MP.

Answer 4

If you have to ask on this forum how to become an MP , then it makes me wonder if all the other idiotic Mps , Tony Blair in particular did the same

Answer 5

First walk down yah local high street proclaiming your a right arsehole...the job will be given to you straight away!