Legal Structure

The Young English Democrats (YED), is the 'daughter' section of the English Democrats party (EngDems). The English Democrats Party is a registered political party (registered with the Electoral Commission), and the party was established in 2002. The YED was established in August 2007 and officially launched in September 2007 at the EngDems' AGM.

Funding

The Young English Democrats receive no funding, but may from time-to-time recieve 'donations' from the EngDems for campaign work... such funding will pass through the EngDems' National Council following request from the YED Chairman. 'Donations' as such shall not exceed that of the total membership value of those members aged 15-18 years old, justification being that those members are solely members of the YED during these ages.

Contributions in kind – the EngDems and the YED simply could not function without its activists giving their time and out of pocket expenses freely to do party work.

The value of a membership subscription is £15 per Annum (£1.25 per month) for students, OAPs and the unemployed. Please note membership at any pricing level grants you FREE immediate access to the YED if you are aged between 15 and 25 years old (Terms and Conditions apply). You must pay the correct fee as to your circumstances and the YED cannot process membership fees or grant discretionary (free) memberships.

Local Party Structure

English Democrats, appreciate, that if the EngDems and YED is “here to stay” then it has to be developed with solid foundations. To this end, Local county or regional parties have been established in various places in England. Coverage as of 2009 is “patchy” but progress is being made, and the we are always seeking new activists to take on the roles as Local Youth Chairman etc. Local Parties have a great deal of Autonomy as to how to arrange their own meetings, socialising and fundraising, provided the Nationally agreed Manifesto is not contradicted by the Local YED group.

The members of groups over the age of 18 gain automatic membership to the English Democrats, it is at the age of 17 when members of the YED are permitted to become involved in electoral development and can get involved with the EngDems' local parties at Borough & District level (for electoral purposes). These are currently preparing to fight the 2010 General Elections. (Note: A member cannot legally stand as a candidate until they are of 18 years of age.)

County Party Structure

The EngDems and YED wish to maintain our much loved English Counties. To reinforce this, the level of structure, one below the National Council and National Youth Council, are the 40-50 County Chairman in the English Democrats. Identifying with the “Traditional & Loved County Boundaries”, County Parties have a great deal of Autonomy as to how to arrange their own meetings, socialising, fundraising and elections (elections are EngDem business only), provided the Nationally agreed Manifesto is not contradicted by the Local party.

Initially County Chairman are appointed by the National Youth Council or the local Area Council to serve for 2 years, however as the party and YED grows, then these positions will become elected where there is a contest. Such contest will be put to the area membership for election to post.

County Chairpersons are initially appointed, and once the “County” is established the County Chairman is elected for a two year tem – the County Chair appoints his/her team.

Area Councils

In the EngDems, the Area Councils broadly follow the EU Electoral Regions within England, however it is envisaged that “South East” will be split at sometime in the near future to create “South East” and “South” England – creating 10 Area Councils. The YED Area Councils will follow suit with the EngDems' decisions.

Each Area Council operates in conjunction with the EngDems' Area Councils, and therefore have a large amount of autonomy to run the “Area” in a style suitable to the Area and the people of that area, however regular monthly communication is a requirement between the Area Councils & National Council.

The figure heads and “leaders” of the Areas are the Area Chairman and Area Youth Chairman, of the current Nine English Democrats “Areas” 7 Area Chairman have been appointed and two (South East & Yorkshire) are elected. All YED "Areas" are appointed, while membership is allowed to grow. Typically the County Chairman in the area will also have places on the Area Council. All Area Youth Chairman have a place on the National Youth Council.

National Youth Council

Currently the YED's National Youth Council has 4 Members. Representatives are elected from 3 Sources, firstly (currently) up to 9 Elected Area Chairman serve on the National Youth Council, their appointment to the National Youth Council is co-terminus with their election as Area Youth Chairman. Elections for Area Youth Chairman can occur at any time during the year.

Secondly at the Annual Conference & AGM (normally held in September), then up to 10 ordinary members or indeed serving officers can put themselves forward to be elected as National Youth Council members, the procedure is very simple in that a party members wishing to serve on the National Council must be:-

1.1 Be a National Member, Family Member or Concession Member (subscribing by Monthly DD and over the age of 18),

1.2 Be nominated and seconded by two existing English Democrats or Young English Democrats Members, with the request to be put up for election received by the English Democrats 50 Calendar days before the date of Annual Conference & AGM. Where more than 10 Nominations are received an election will be held – if less then 10 Nominations are receive then Nominations from the floor of the Conference can be taken.

1.3 When the National Youth Council is not at full compliment, the National Youth Council has the right to co-opt National Youth Council members, who must then be “put up” for election/confirmation at the next YED National General Meeting.

Thirdly, only once the National Youth Council is full, shall at the Annual Conference, a National Youth Chairman be elected, who has an automatic place on the EngDems' National Council.

The purpose of the Young English Democrats' National Youth Council is to:-

2.1 Assist the National Chairman in the day to day running of the Young English Democrats.

2.2 Recommend youth policy changes/additions be put in the National Manifesto should they be approved by the whole National Membership.

2.3 Monitor the progess and activity in each Area Council (youth), and “step in” if activity is not occurring or not being reported, or Area Policy is not in line with National Policy.

2.4 Appoint an “Appeals” Sub-Committee – for members who feel they have been unfairly treated.

2.5 Scrutinise proposed changes to the Young English Demcrats Constitution to then be put to the National Youth Membership at National General Meetings.

2.6 Scrutinise the Financial arrangements within the YED.

2.7 Determine & Organise the arrangements from time to elect a National Group Leader.

2.9 Appoint National Youth Policy Committee.

2.10 Scutinise the Activity of the English Democrats in connection with the Young English Democrats.

Youth Policy Committee

The YED Policy Committee is not yet established.

The Policy Committee will work to debate and refine new policies. It’s membership shall be formed or 9 normal party members and two National Youth Council members. It is independent of the National Youth Council, and able to propose policy changes to the General Membership of the Young English Democrats and English Democrats Party, with or without approval of the National Councils.

National Meetings

National Meetings allow changes to policy, changes to the YED consitution, elections of officials, reports from officials, speaches from guest speakers and also the opporunity for members to make a 10 minute speech or presentation as a “10 minute members spot”. A minimum of 3 “10 minute members spots” are permitted per English Democrats General Meeeting. Those wishing to present a “10 minute members spot” need to contact the YED National Secretary, at least 50 Calendar days before the General Meeting, with an outline of the subject on which they wish to speak. Where there are multiple requests to speak, lots will be drawn. YED national meetings shall occur at the same time as English Democrat national meetings.