BNP leadership challenge virtually impossible

http://www.bnp.org.uk/?q=constitution-british-national-party

"Section 7 - Elections to Our Party's Leadership" - page 36 onwards

Those who are legally-trained are particularly invited to give their opinion on this.

Compare the rules to the Labour Party Rule Book and weep!

http://www.savethelabourparty.org/labourpartyrulebook2008.pdf

http://www.democracyforum.co.uk/bnp/76710-challenge-bnp-leadership-virtually-impossible-2.html

"How about this for an idea then?

Phase 1
Draft a party constitution.

Phase 2
Invite others to join on the basis of the fairness of its rules.

Phase 3
Register the party.

Phase 4
Declare a caretaker leader.

Phase 5
Invite Nick Griffin to join.

Phase 5
Invite all the ones who want to throw their hats in the ring to throw their hats in the ring.

Phase 6
Declare new leader after a fair and democratic leadership contest has been held.

Suggested draft clauses for the constitution on:

OBJECTIVES
http://www.1party4all.co.uk/Home/Account/TopicForm.aspx?topicsId=148

MEMBERS' RIGHTS
Article 4
http://www.1party4all.co.uk/Home/Account/TopicForm.aspx?topicsId=107

http://www.thenationalparty.org.uk/constbnp has the old rules.

SECTION 4: ELECTIONS TO THE PARTY LEADERSHIP

1) Any member of the party may become a candidate for the post of National Chairman of the party provided that person has served a term totalling 5 years' continuous membership of the party and is a party office holder as defined in Section 7 of this constitution. Should a member not be an office holder, then he may still become a candidate for the post if he first obtains 100 instead of the usual 10 signatures. No exception to these rules may be made unless it is with the consent of the currently serving National Chairman of the party,

2) Any such candidate must submit his nomination to the party's Head Office not earlier than 31st May, and not later than 30th June of any year. This nomination must be signed by the candidate and counter signed by a proposer and a seconder, both of whom must have served a term of membership of the party as specified in Sub-section 1 of this Section, and by 10 other members of the party who have served not less than 2 years' membership.

3) A postal ballot of all members shall then take place within 3 months of the close of nominations as specified in Sub-section 2. In the event of there being more than two candidates for this office, there shall first be an eliminator ballot which will determine which two among the candidates obtain the highest votes, after which there shall then be a final ballot between those two candidates unless one of the candidates has obtained more than fifty per cent of the votes cast, in which case that candidate is elected. In the event of two ballots being required, the final date for the completion of the second ballot may be extended by 15 days beyond that required by the three month period specified earlier.

4) The specific dates and procedures to be observed in the carrying out of such elections shall be determined by the party's Head Office at such time as the occasion arises — provided that it is in compliance with the letter and spirit of this Constitution.

5) The successful candidate in any such election will be considered as occupying the office of National Chairman immediately on completion of the counting of votes following that election.

6) All candidates standing in such elections will be authorised to be present in person on the occasion of the counting of votes and to be accompanied by up to two other party members of their choice, and shall be afforded all facilities necessary to satisfy themselves as to the honesty and propriety of the counting.

7) In any year in which no nominations for the post of National Chairman of the party have been received in accordance with the terms specified in Sub-section 2 of this Section, the currently serving holder of that post will be considered to have receiveda mandate from the party to hold it for a further year.

8) In any year in which there is a challenge for the post of National Chairman, the currently serving National Chairman shall be deemed to be nominated automatically should he wish to stand again.

9) The elected National Chairman shall appoint a Deputy Chairman, who shall sit as of right on the Advisory Council, but may be replaced by the elected National Chairman at any time as he sees fit. The Deputy Chairman shall have no powers or responsibilities above or beyond those of other members of the Advisory Council, except in circumstances when the National Chairman should either die or declare himself to be permanently indisposed, in which case the Deputy Chairman shall exercise the powers of National Chairman until a new National Chairman can be chosen by the membership in an election called within 60 days and carried out as provided for in this Section.

10) Throughout this constitution, the words he and his shall be taken to mean her and hers whenever applicable.