Ashdown launches new progressive political platform

More United will raise funds for candidates that support a core set of progressive principles

Paddy Ashdown has announced the formation of a new cross-party progressive platform, More United.

Speaking on the Andrew Marr show this morning, Ashdown said that the movement is for people who ‘hate to see our country dragged away to the extremes’ and ‘want a means, not necessarily through a political party to express their views.’

More United — its name taken from the late Jo Cox’s maiden speech in parliament —will use crowdfunding to provide financial support to progressive candidates from across the party space, with a view to ‘creating a new centre of political gravity in the UK.’

The movements core principles are:

  • A fair, modern, efficient market based economy that closes the gap between rich and poor and supports strong public services
  • A modern democracy that empowers citizens, rather than politicians
  • A green economy that protects the environment and works to reverse climate change
  • An open and tolerant society where diversity is celebrated in all its forms
  • A United Kingdom that welcomes immigration, international co-operation and a close relationship with the EU

Ashdown also made clear that if a second EU referendum were to be held, More United would campaign against Brexit.

More United has not begun fundraising yet, but is inviting supporters to join. According to Ashdown, if more than 25,000 people have signed up by September, they will launch the next phase.

15 Responses to “Ashdown launches new progressive political platform”

  1. Jim woods

    Go big, this is spot on

  2. Roy Barratt

    I find myself yet again feeling to have a lot in common with Paddy Ashdown’s viewpoint,. The basic outline he has put forward lines up very closely with my own attitude and subsequent activities while County Chairman of the Royal British Legion in Cornwall, with the result of influencing National policies on a number of points. In order to make any degree of success in such an endeavour, one must be prepared to lead from the front, without any corners behind which to hide and choose the right team with which to work. This man has what it takes to bring the country back to some degree of common sense and firm commitment, by treating the interests of the peopls as paramount, influencing the Party Policies through collation of public opinion . He has a tough fight ahead, but by choosing the right people to work as a team, I believe he can yet again achieve his goal . I wish him all the good luck in the world, as at last we have a positive goaal for which to aim, a little bit of luck is all he would need. Count on my support.

  3. CR

    Sounds very New Labour-ish and Blarite

  4. Gerhard Lohmann-Bond

    It’s not a movement, it’s a move.

  5. Richard MacKinnon

    There is nothing more toe curling than watching an old ham actor taking another curtain call when half the audience has already left the theatre.

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