The Civilian Party Explained

The Civilian Party
Founder:Ben Uffindell
Country:New Zealand
Website:www.thecivilianparty.org.nz

The Civilian Party was a frivolous political party founded by political satirist Ben Uffindell. It contested the 2014 New Zealand general election before disbanding. The party was deregistered at its own request on 5 May 2015.[1] [2]

History

Uffindell, who finished a degree in political science at University of Canterbury in 2012,[3] [4] started The Civilian as a satirical New Zealand online newspaper in 2013. Uffindell claimed an average of 20,000 - 25,000 page views per day.[5]

On 7 June 2013, The Civilian announced its intention to register a political party and to charge fifty cents as a membership fee.[6] [7] Prediction market iPredict listed a contract on 21 June 2013 measuring the likelihood of the registration of The Civilian Party before the 2014 general election.[8]

Uffindell gave an interview as party leader on TV3's current-affairs television programme The Nation and outlined some of the party's policies, including:[9]

In June 2014 the party came under criticism for receiving $33,635 in political-party funding from the Electoral Commission. Prime Minister John Key commented that "the Civilian Party will be thinking the biggest joke's on us, the taxpayer", and the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union reacted negatively.[10] However, party leader Ben Uffindell said that considering the party had asked for $1 million in funding, $33,000 was "a bad deal". He also pointed out: "There are other joke parties getting funding, like the Conservatives and ACT."[11] [12] [13]

On 23 July 2014 the party applied to the Electoral Commission for registration.[14] The party was formally registered on 11 August 2014.[15]

The party received 1,096 votes (0.05%) in the 2014 general election.

The party was deregistered at its own request on 5 May 2015.[16] [17]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Amendments to the Register of Political Parties . Electoral Commission . 6 May 2015 . 27 May 2015.
  2. Web site: Satirical party that promised to ban satire deregistered . Stuff . 15 May 2015 . 27 May 2015.
  3. . The Civilian: a new NZ satire site . Manhire . Toby . 25 March 2013 . . 30 May 2013.
  4. News: . . Charlie . Gates . 1 April 2013 . Satirical spoofs spread word for The Civilian . 30 May 2013.
  5. From the Blogosphere  - The Civilian . Sam . Bookman . 20 May 2013 . 10 . . . 13 July 2013 . 10 November 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131110220151/http://craccum.ausa.auckland.ac.nz/?p=3203 . dead .
  6. Web site: Editorial: Why we're registering a political party . The Civilian . 7 June 2013 . 13 July 2013 . 13 July 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130713141049/http://www.thecivilian.co.nz/editorial-why-were-registering-a-political-party/ . dead .
  7. Web site: Joining The Civilian Party . The Civilian . 7 June 2013 . 13 July 2013 . 23 July 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130723021440/http://www.thecivilian.co.nz/joining-the-civilian-party/ . dead .
  8. Web site: The Civilian Party to Register before next General Election . iPredict (Victoria University of Wellington) . 13 July 2013.
  9. News: Party calls for free ice-cream and llamas . . . 24 May 2014 . 24 May 2014.
  10. News: Taxpayers Union angered over Civilian Party funding . National . . Auckland . APN New Zealand Limited . 2014-06-08 . 1170-0777 . 2014-08-27 . The Radio Network. The Taxpayers Union is furious a joke political party has been given public money to fund its electoral campaign. [...] Online satirist Ben Uffindell persuaded the Electoral Commission to hand over $33,000 for his Civilian Party. [...] Taxpayer Union spokesman Jordan Williams says it's outrageous..
  11. News: Taxpayers Union angered over Civilian Party funding . The New Zealand Herald . APN News & Media . 8 June 2014 . 10 June 2014.
  12. News: Civilian Party 'a joke on taxpayers' . . Fairfax New Zealand . 9 June 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140714180833/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10134835/Civilian-Party-a-joke-on-taxpayers . 14 July 2014 . live . Stacey . Kirk.
  13. Web site: Shots fired in election satire . Radio New Zealand . The Wireless . 9 June 2014 . 10 June 2014 . Whelan, Megan.
  14. Web site: Registration of The Civilian Party and logo . New Zealand Electoral Commission . 23 July 2014 . 17 June 2014.
  15. Web site: Registration of The Civilian Party and Logo . . 11 August 2014 . 11 August 2014.
  16. Web site: Amendments to the Register of Political Parties . Electoral Commission . 6 May 2015 . 27 May 2015.
  17. Web site: Satirical party that promised to ban satire deregistered . Stuff . 15 May 2015 . 27 May 2015.

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