WHAT IS THE 646 PROJECT.

646 is an unaffiliated project, which looks to encourage involvement in the democratic  process  improve community cohesion and  define a local and national sense of identity while moving away from partisan party dogmas, blanket representation and all of the associated problems that come with the party system

It also aims to encourage involvement in the democratic process by people who would not usually become involved or would normally feel excluded.

 

The aim is to field 646 independent candidates at the next general election who will run under the 646 Project banner.

 

The prospective candidates would seek the views of the electorate in their constituency and – based upon these views - develop a “statement of intent” which would be the basis of their campaign.

 

This is opposed to the usual procedure where the prospective candidate tells the electorate their party’s policy.

 

Why 646?

 

646 was  the number of seats in parliament at the conception of the  project  It's as simple as that. 

 

There is no hidden meaning in the title of the project, nor any symbolism in its logo, which was simply the first one on the list which came free with the website. 

 

The lack of a predetermined image is deliberate, because the 646 Project is to be created by the participants and those who live in each of the  constituencies.

 

The project is not aimed at any particular group in society, and a 646 Project participant therefore cannot be categorised by age, wealth, geography, education or any other social demographic.

 

646 Project will be the voting choice of the free-thinking individual.    

 

WHY? WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE PRESENT SYSTEM?

 

The present party system and the ideologies of the main parties came into existence long ago and were born out of a very different world than we live in today.

 

In many cases our reasons for voting for our chosen parties have not changed - but the parties have.

 

Many people vote for a party, even though they  may be unhappy with their performance or their actions, because it’s what they have always voted - or it’s what their  family has always voted.  Or simply that they couldn’t bring themselves to vote for the other party because of that party’s actions in the past.

 

It is frequently perceived that a party represents the values of a social class and by voting for another party you will be a traitor to your heritage.

   

To some of us, our party is the same as our football team, to whom we stay loyal.  The difference is, the actions of our football teams do not affect the world in which we live.  The parties we elect do.

 

The idea of Red for the workers and Blue for capital has long gone, and now the 646 Project looks to create representatives that are accessible and in touch with their constituents.

 

As people our personal views are actually very broad and we each harbour a mix of both sympathetic and draconian attitudes. 

 

This is natural.   We are people, not components in ideologies.

 

As it stands our elected representatives are bound to follow the party whip and vote along with their party on most of the votes that affect us all.

 

The 646 Project offers an alternative.

 

It is important that each of the  constituencies in the country have community bonds  for a myriad of social reasons. Having people who are active in the area obtaining opinions and producing an active  dynamic  presence  help  to create a feeling of community awareness  and local  identity . 

 

As such the 646 project is seeking people who will be prepared to stand for election as an independent candidates under 646 banner .

 

The prospective candidate will source the views of the constituents in the area they either live, work or were born in, and transfer those views to a “statement of intent”  this will act as their local manifesto.

 

RULES OF REPRESENTATIONAL CONDUCT

 

• The prospective candidate will be impartial at all times with regard to representation of the views of their constituents.  The candidate is the representative of the constituency, not its leader.

 

• Each prospective candidate will fund their own campaign, be responsible for following UK electoral rules and remain within the confines of the law at all times.

   

• Prospective candidates will gather together their own campaign team, who must work on a voluntary basis.

 

• The prospective candidate will seek the opinions of their constituents from the time they register with the 646 Project until such time as the next general election is called, at which time they will publish their  “statement of intent” on this website.

 

• The views of their constituents will be forwarded to the 646 Project, to be posted on this site and updated on a weekly basis by the prospective candidates.

 

• Opposing candidates will not be mentioned in any form of defamatory manner, nor will their policies be called into question in campaigns.

 

• No negative reference to the actions of any established political party will be made.  A prospective 646 Project candidate must remain impartial.

 

• However, prospective candidates must contact and – if possible – speak, with the rival candidates, including the incumbent MP, to share information gleaned from the voters. All actions must be in the open and information must be shared.

 

The 646 Project is about opening up the political arena and giving a voice to the voter.   It is not about competing to gain power.  

 

A prospective candidate must endeavour to speak to every household in the constituency. This can be done via public meetings, advertising, press releases, web work, etcetera to  widen the general awareness of the 646 Project and establish in the minds of the voters the fact that they have a new opportunity to put their views forward.  It is vital that a special effort is made to contact those who are disabled, housebound, or otherwise unable to be reached by traditional methods.

  

 

The “List of intention” must be published on the 646 Project website each time it is added to or altered.

 

The prospective candidate must express no opinion or bias with regard to the views of the constituents even if they differ radically from their own.

   

The prospective candidate must provide a press release to local media each week, prior to an election being called, highlighting concerns from the constituency. They should endeavour  to encourage more  feedback from the public through the media.

   

The personal lives of opposition candidates and their friends and families are not to be commented on under any circumstances.  The 646 Project will not get involved in mud-slinging.  It is not productive for the nation or its citizens. 

 

The prospective candidate must attend the annual national meeting.

   

The 646 Project will not fund any activities of any potential candidates.

 

The 646 Project will seek no contributions.

 

Fund raising is permitted but not by contribution or loans,  any  funds  raised  must  provide some value  to  the contributor , e.g. tickets for a social function .

 

If you do intend to raise funds ensure you check your  tax position if  you contact us we will be happy to  direct  you to  the best advice  from the  inland revenue. 

   

Any 646 Project potential candidate who encounters any form of persecution will receive the support of all 646 Project participants.

 

To be a 646 Project potential candidate you must not have been convicted of a serious crime or be on any form of register kept to protect the public.

 

If you can agree to the above, the way you approach serving your potential constituents is totally up to you – provided that you ensure everyone has a chance to voice their opinions.  Remember, if you don’t represent the views of the majority, you won’t be voted in.

 

Please complete the feedback form stating your wish to be a candidate and we’ll get back to you with the next steps.

 

I don’t want to stand but I want to become involved

 

Activists in all areas are needed and if you contact us through the feedback form we’ll put you in touch with others in your area who have contacted us.

 

The 646 Project is not solely a political project.  It aims to recognise the true nature of today’s UK, and not the one we are presented with.  As such the project needs new thinkers, including artists, writers and musicians.  Your depictions of the nation as it is now, and the way the 646 Project could change the nation, would be welcomed.