Taking the Initiative Party explained

Taking the Initiative Party
Colorcode:
  1. 7D6AAA
Leader:Nicola Zingwari
Foundation:2016
Headquarters:Unit 128, 291 Kirkdale, Sydenham, SE26 4QD
Country:London
Leader1 Title:Founders
Leader1 Name:Charles Gordon[1] [2]
Colours: Purple
Seats1 Title:Local government (principal authorities)
Seats1: [3]
Website:https://www.theinitiativeparty.org.uk/

The Taking the Initiative Party (TTIP) is a British political party emerging from the Black Lives Matter movement.[4] It was formed in 2016 by Charles Gordon,[5] and was registered with the Electoral Commission in October 2017.[6] [7] [8] [9]

History

TTIP had been formed in 2016, although it registered with the Electoral Commission one year later, with an objective of nominating thirty two candidates for the Croydon London Borough Council's 2022 election. The training courses and meetups organized by the party for people with nonpolitical backgrounds has led to the TTIP being perceived as an "inclusive" and antielitist party by some. Charles Gordon, a founding member of the party, said "Our overall objective is to create a parliament that reflects the multicultural society we’ve become over the years."

Sasha Johnson, a leading member of the party,[10] said that it would be "the first black-led political party in the UK".[11] It was set up with the intention of focusing on education, housing, knife crime, discrimination, taxation and the benefits system.[12] The party's mission statement says, "We want to be a new voice on the political stage to channel local knowledge and expertise, to come up with creative solutions and to make sure that resources go where they are needed most."[13]

In 2021, TTIP introduced a petition calling the government to launch a database in which the identity details of persons with a history of racial or homophobic offences would be stored. The intention was to allow companies, and organisations to use such a database as part of the background check when recruiting new employees. The petition, which received 10,979 signatures, was rejected by the government on 26 January 2021.

The Taking the Initiative Party made their electoral debut in the 2021 United Kingdom local elections, standing a small number of candidates in Enfield and Croydon, without success.[14] [15]

In February 2021 Trevor Phillips, former chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, called the party a "bunch of idiots" and criticised the group's leader, Charles Gordon, for his anti-vaccination comments.[16]

In May 2021, Sasha Johnson was shot in the head and was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Five males were arrested on suspicion of her attempted murder.[17] [18]

Croydon elections

Council elections

In the 2022 United Kingdom local elections, Taking the Initiative Party put forward 20 candidates for the 28 wards in Croydon.[19] They won no seats.

Mayoral elections

Farah London, who was an independent candidate in the 2021 London mayoral election, was their Croydon mayoral candidate for the election on 5 May 2022.[20] She came sixth,[21] with 6 per cent of the vote.[22]

! Year! Candidate! Popular vote! % of vote! Position
2022Farah London5,7686.0%6th

Notes and References

  1. Web site: BBC Radio Derby - Devon Daley, Taking the Initiative Party . BBC . 25 May 2021 . 11 October 2020.
  2. Web site: Government rejects petition calling for a register of bigots . Kilraine . Lottie . 1 February 2021 . 27 December 2021 . Charles Gordon, a founding member of TTIP, said: 'We are very disappointed with the recent response from the government in relation to the register'..
  3. Web site: Open Council Data UK - compositions councillors parties wards elections . 2022-05-13 . opencouncildata.co.uk.
  4. News: Wright . Robert . 'Nothing to suggest' shooting of Black Lives Matter leader was targeted, say UK police . 25 May 2021 . Financial Times . 25 May 2021.
  5. Web site: Councillor training courses held to attract aspiring politicians in Croydon . 22 October 2021 . 27 December 2021 . The TTIP, formed in 2016 to set the agenda in government, wants to field at least 32 candidates for Croydon in the 2022 local council elections, with at least 15 candidates in other wards, such as Lewisham. . London News Online.
  6. Web site: View registration . search.electoralcommission.org.uk . The Electoral Commission . 27 May 2021.
  7. News: Chorley . Matt . Time for a new party. Or twelve . 27 May 2021 . The Times . subscription . 14 February 2018.
  8. News: Sasha Johnson: Five arrested on suspicion of attempted murder of activist in south London . 27 May 2021 . Sky News . 26 May 2021.
  9. Web site: Ones to Watch: Taking The Initiative Party makes its electoral debut . The party was registered with the electoral commission almost four years ago, but saw its national presence rise against the backdrop of the Black Lives Matter protests last summer. . . 7 May 2021 . 27 December 2021.
  10. Web site: Who is Sasha Johnson? The 'fearless political campaigner' who has faced 'numerous death threats' . 25 May 2021 . 25 December 2021 . Sky News.
  11. News: Jones . Amy . 'Black Lives Matter' registers as political party and could stand in local elections next year . 25 May 2021 . The Telegraph . 26 October 2020.
  12. Web site: The candidates hoping to win in Southbury by-election. 2021-05-25. Enfield Independent. 28 April 2021 .
  13. Web site: Sasha Johnson: who is Black Lives Matter activist shot in Peckham - and what is Taking The Initiative Party?. 2021-05-25. The Scotsman. 24 May 2021 .
  14. Web site: Enfield By-Election results - Southbury, Chase and Jubilee Ward results announced · Enfield Council. 6 May 2022 .
  15. Web site: Council by-election results - 6 May 2021 | Croydon Council.
  16. News: Phillips . Trevor . Trevor Phillips . Minority groups should ignore the anti-vax charlatans. 25 May 2021 . The Spectator . 6 February 2021.
  17. News: Sasha Johnson: Five held on suspicion of attempted murder . 26 May 2021 . BBC News . 26 May 2021.
  18. News: Porter . Tony . Teenager appears in court over shooting of Taking the Initiative leader Sasha Johnson, 27, in Peckham on Sunday . 21 August 2021 . London News Online . 29 May 2021.
  19. Web site: Candidates for election on 5 May 2022 | Croydon Council. 2022-04-06. 2022-04-17.
  20. Web site: 2022-01-21. South London Press. 2022-01-25. edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk. 20. en-US.
  21. News: Croydon Mayor Election 2022 Candidates and Results . BBC News .
  22. Web site: 5 May 2022 Election Results - Mayoral election results . Croydon Council . 7 May 2022.

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