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More United

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More United
Founded24 July 2016
Dissolved17 January 2023
HeadquartersLondon[1]
IdeologyPro-Europeanism
Progressivism
Environmentalism
Political positionCentre
Website
moreunited.org.uk

More United was[2] a cross-party political movement in the United Kingdom. It described itself as a "tech-driven political startup" that supported candidates regardless of party affiliation.[3] The movement advocated for public service investment, democratic reform, a green economy, tolerant society, and co-operation with the EU.

More United took its name from the maiden speech delivered by Jo Cox,[4] a British MP who was murdered in June 2016.

Values

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The movement said it would support any candidate from any party who backed its values and pledged to advance them in Parliament:[5]

  • Opportunity: we need a fair economy that bridges the gap between rich and poor.
  • Tolerance: we want to live in a free, diverse society where our differences are celebrated and respected.
  • Democracy: we want you to have real influence over politics.
  • Environment: we must do everything possible to tackle climate change and protect our environment.
  • Openness: we welcome immigration, but understand it must work for everyone, and believe in bringing down international barriers, not raising them. We also want a close relationship with Europe.

History

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Following the result of the 2016 UK referendum on EU membership, in which the country voted to withdraw from the European Union, there was considerable media discussion concerning the future of the British centre ground.[6][7] Press rumours of a split in the Labour Party had occurred since Jeremy Corbyn's election as leader in 2015; this intensified after pro-EU members of his shadow cabinet resigned in protest of his allegedly weak support for the Remain campaign, leading to a leadership challenge by Owen Smith. The Conservatives also faced the prospect of an ideological split, as some pro-EU Conservatives feared the potential consequences of Andrea Leadsom defeating Theresa May in the leadership election;[6] Leadsom ultimately withdrew from the race, handing unopposed victory to May. Paddy Ashdown, the former leader of the Liberal Democrats, wrote an article in The Times accusing both parties of failing to provide reasonable solutions to the issues afflicting communities across Britain.[8]

More United was founded in July 2016 by a team drawn from business, academia, and politics: Austin Rathe, Bess Mayhew, Corinne Sawers and Maurice Biriotti.[9] They received support from cross party MPs, led by Paddy Ashdown. It was dissolved in January 2023.[10]

Election campaigns

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More United voted to support Liberal Democrat candidate Sarah Olney, who subsequently defeated the incumbent MP, Zac Goldsmith, in December 2016.[11]

On 23 November 2016, More United launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise money to help support candidates. By 22 December, the campaign had raised £274,164.[12]

Candidates endorsed by More United
Candidate Seat Party Announced Result
Amna Ahmad Sutton and Cheam Liberal Democrats 4 May 2017[13] 2nd
Rosena Allin-Khan Tooting Labour Green tickY
Kelly-Marie Blundell Lewes Liberal Democrats 2nd
Jack Dromey Birmingham Erdington Labour Green tickY
Liz Kendall Leicester West Labour Green tickY
Stephen Kinnock Aberavon Labour Green tickY
Clive Lewis Norwich South Labour Green tickY
Vix Lowthion Isle of Wight Green 3rd
Caroline Lucas Brighton Pavilion Green Green tickY
Ian Lucas Wrexham Labour Green tickY
Tessa Munt Wells Liberal Democrats 2nd
Gareth Thomas Harrow West Labour Co-op Green tickY
Ruth Cadbury Brentford and Isleworth Labour 8 May 2017 Green tickY
Jane Dodds Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats 2nd
Andrew George St Ives Liberal Democrats 2nd
Mark Hunter Cheadle Liberal Democrats 2nd
Peter Kyle Hove Labour Green tickY
Norman Lamb Norfolk North Liberal Democrats Green tickY
Alison McGovern Wirral South Labour Green tickY
Ian Murray Edinburgh South Labour Green tickY
Anna Soubry Broxtowe Conservative Green tickY
Jo Swinson East Dunbartonshire Liberal Democrats Green tickY
Sophie Walker Shipley Women's Equality 4th
John Woodcock Barrow and Furness Labour Co-op Green tickY
Vince Cable Twickenham Liberal Democrats 18 May 2017 Green tickY
Alistair Carmichael Orkney and Shetland Liberal Democrats Green tickY
Gloria De Piero Ashfield Labour Green tickY
Christine Jardine Edinburgh West Liberal Democrats Green tickY
Rachel Reeves Leeds West Labour Green tickY
Elizabeth Riches North East Fife Liberal Democrats 2nd
Jo Roundell Greene Yeovil Liberal Democrats 2nd
Gavin Shuker Luton South Labour Co-op Green tickY
Chuka Umunna Streatham Labour Green tickY
Chris Bryant Rhondda Labour 24 May 2017 Green tickY
Daisy Cooper St Albans Liberal Democrats 2nd
Stephen Doughty Cardiff South and Penarth Labour Co-op Green tickY
David Lammy Tottenham Labour Green tickY
Sue McGuire Southport Liberal Democrats 3rd
Jonathan Reynolds Stalybridge and Hyde Labour Co-op Green tickY
Owen Smith Pontypridd Labour Green tickY
Jamie Stone Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross Liberal Democrats Green tickY
George Turner Vauxhall Liberal Democrats 2nd
Geraint Davies Swansea West Labour Co-op 2 June 2017 Green tickY
Seema Malhotra Feltham and Heston Labour Co-op Green tickY
Sarah Olney Richmond Park Liberal Democrats 2nd
Emma Reynolds Wolverhampton North East Labour Green tickY
Tulip Siddiq Hampstead and Kilburn Labour Green tickY
Andy Slaughter Hammersmith Labour Green tickY
Mark Williams Ceredigion Liberal Democrats 2nd

(Please note it was not uncommon for More United to endorse more than one candidate in the same seat)[14]

Candidates endorsed by More United
Candidate Seat Party Result
Louis Adam Warwick and Leamington Liberal Democrats 3rd
Humaira Ali Bermondsey and Old Southwark Liberal Democrats 2nd
Rosena Allin-Khan Tooting Labour Green tickY
Fleur Anderson Putney Labour Green tickY
Tonia Antoniazzi Gower Labour Green tickY
Alyson Barnes Rossendale and Darwen Labour 2nd
Richard Benwell Wantage Liberal Democrats 2nd
Luciana Berger Finchley and Golders Green Liberal Democrats 2nd
Jason Billin Rushcliffe Liberal Democrats 3rd
Ben Bradshaw Exeter Labour Green tickY
Tom Brake Carshalton and Wallington Liberal Democrats 2nd
Ruth Cadbury Brentford and Isleworth Labour Green tickY
Lisa Cameron East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow SNP Green tickY
Alistair Carmichael Orkney and Shetland Liberal Democrats Green tickY
Wendy Chamberlain North East Fife Liberal Democrats Green tickY
Daisy Cooper St Albans Liberal Democrats Green tickY
Charlotte Cornell Dover Labour 2nd
Mary Creagh Wakefield Labour 2nd
Nic Dakin Scunthorpe Labour 2nd
Geraint Davies Swansea West Labour Green tickY
Martyn Day Linlithgow and East Falkirk SNP Green tickY
Marsha de Cordova Battersea Labour Green tickY
Lynn Denham Worcester Labour 2nd
Kishan Devani Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats 2nd
Jane Dodds Brecon and Radnorshire Liberal Democrats 2nd
Stephen Doughty Cardiff South and Penarth Labour Green tickY
Rosie Duffield Canterbury Labour Green tickY
Rachel Eden Reading West Labour Co-op 2nd
Paula Ferguson Winchester Liberal Democrats 2nd
Natalie Fleet Ashfield Labour 3rd
David Gauke South West Hertfordshire Independent 2nd
Andrew George St Ives Liberal Democrats 2nd
Stephen Gethins North East Fife SNP 2nd
Preet Gill Birmingham Edgbaston Labour Co-op Green tickY
Mark Gitsham Battersea Liberal Democrats 3rd
Helen Goodman Bishop Auckland Labour 2nd
Laura Gordon Sheffield Hallam Liberal Democrats 2nd
Ruth Gripper Truro and Falmouth Liberal Democrats 3rd
John Grogan Keighley Labour 2nd
Sam Gyimah Kensington Liberal Democrats 3rd
Oli Henman Lewes Liberal Democrats 2nd
Andrew Hilland Lanark and Hamilton East Labour 3rd
Wera Hobhouse Bath Liberal Democrats Green tickY
Charlotte Holloway Plymouth Moor View Labour 2nd
Kamran Hussain Leeds North West Liberal Democrats 3rd
Christine Jardine Edinburgh West Liberal Democrats Green tickY
Darren Jones Bristol North West Labour Green tickY
Liz Kendall Leicester West Labour Green tickY
Peter Kyle Hove Labour Green tickY
Ben Lake Ceredigion Plaid Cymru Green tickY
Peter Lamb Crawley Labour 2nd
David Lammy Tottenham Labour Green tickY
Phillip Lee Wokingham (UK Parliament constituency) Liberal Democrats 2nd
Stephen Lloyd Eastbourne Liberal Democrats 2nd
Caroline Lucas Brighton Pavilion Green Green tickY
Seema Malhotra Feltham and Heston Labour Green tickY
Paul Masterton East Renfrewshire Conservative 2nd
Martin McCluskey Inverclyde Labour 2nd
Stewart McDonald Glasgow South SNP Green tickY
Stuart McDonald Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East SNP Green tickY
Alison McGovern Wirral South Labour Green tickY
Catherine McKinnell Newcastle upon Tyne North Labour Green tickY
Beth Miller Corby Labour 2nd
Ed Miliband Doncaster North Labour Green tickY
Anne Milton Guildford Independent 4th
Layla Moran Oxford West and Abingdon Liberal Democrats Green tickY
Stephen Morgan Portsmouth South Labour Green tickY
Tom Morrison Cheadle Liberal Democrats 2nd
Tessa Munt Wells Liberal Democrats 2nd
Ian Murray Edinburgh South Labour Green tickY
Chris Ostrowski Watford Labour 2nd
Jess Phillips Birmingham Yardley Labour Green tickY
Emma Reynolds Wolverhampton North East Labour 2nd
Judith Rogerson Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats 2nd
Antoinette Sandbach Eddisbury Liberal Democrats 3rd
Liz Saville Roberts Dwyfor Meirionnydd Plaid Cymru Green tickY
Gavin Shuker Luton South Independent 3rd
Tulip Siddiq Hampstead and Kilburn Labour Green tickY
Andy Slaughter Hammersmith Labour Green tickY
Lisa Smart Hazel Grove Liberal Democrats 2nd
Alex Sobel Leeds North West Labour Co-op Green tickY
Chris Stephens Glasgow South West SNP Green tickY
Jamie Stone Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross Liberal Democrats Green tickY
Ian Stotesbury Watford Liberal Democrats 3rd
Wes Streeting Ilford North Labour Green tickY
Alison Taylor Paisley and Renfrewshire North Labour 2nd
Gareth Thomas Harrow West Labour Co-op Green tickY
Chuka Umunna Cities of London and Westminster Liberal Democrats 2nd
Gerald Vernon-Jackson Portsmouth South Liberal Democrats 3rd
Karen Ward North Norfolk Liberal Democrats 2nd
Kate Watson Glasgow East Labour 2nd
Catherine West Hornsey and Wood Green Labour Green tickY
Martin Whitfield East Lothian Labour 2nd
Philippa Whitford Central Ayrshire SNP Green tickY
Emma Whysall Chipping Barnet Labour 2nd
Max Wilkinson Cheltenham Liberal Democrats 2nd
Hywel Williams Arfon Plaid Cymru Green tickY
Mark Williams Ceredigion Liberal Democrats 3rd
Paul Williams Stockton South Labour 2nd
Phil Wilson Sedgefield Labour 2nd
Munira Wilson Twickenham Liberal Democrats Green tickY
Sue Wixley Putney Liberal Democrats 3rd
Sarah Wollaston Totnes Liberal Democrats 2nd
John Wright Southport Liberal Democrats 3rd

Issue-based campaigns

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Following the 2017 election, More United conducted UK-wide and online consultations with supporters to identify their priorities for the movement. The issues supporters identified as being the most important to campaign on were the NHS, equality and Brexit.

NHS/Brexit Campaign, 2018

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In February 2017, More United launched a campaign to secure a Parliamentary debate on how Brexit would impact the NHS, arguing that the government had not given this question sufficient consideration. Thousands of supporters were mobilised to contact their MPs in support of the campaign, which led to 47 MPs from five parties submitting a request for a backbench business debate. That debate was held in Parliament on 22 March.

Campaign to restore the Access to Elected Office Fund, 2018

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In April 2018, More United supported the launch of a legal challenge against the government, led by three deaf and disabled candidates of different parties, all of whom were also Members of More United. The focus of the challenge was to get the government to restore a Fund that existed from 2012 to 2015 to help deaf and disabled candidates of all parties, at all levels, with the extra costs of standing for election. The Fund was frozen and placed under review in 2015, but no findings from the review or a decision on the Fund's future had been published in nearly three years. More United launched a campaign alongside the legal challenge, with thousands of supporters signing a petition to get the government to restore the Fund.

This campaign received endorsement from 19 of the UK's most prominent deaf and disabled people, who came together from across the realms of business, entertainment, academia and politics to publish an open letter of support in The Sunday Times. The campaign also received backing from three disabled MPs from three parties. Labour MP Marsha de Cordova, Liberal Democrat MP Stephen Lloyd and Conservative MP Robert Halfon co-wrote a letter to the Home Office asking for the immediate restoration of the Fund.

Convenors

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In addition to its founders, a number of prominent public figures endorsed the movement's launch, with the following being listed as the organisation's Convener's:[15]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "MORE UNITED LTD – Overview (free company information from Companies House)". Beta.companieshouse.gov.uk. 19 July 2016. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  2. ^ "MORE UNITED LTD filing history – Find and update company information – GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  3. ^ Shead, Sam (24 July 2016). "Paddy Ashdown has launched a tech-driven political startup called More United that will crowdfund MPs across all parties". Retrieved 24 July 2016.
  4. ^ "Labour MP Jo Cox's maiden speech to parliament in June 2015 – video". The Guardian. 16 June 2016. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  5. ^ "Our Principles". Archived from the original on 16 November 2016. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
  6. ^ a b Daniel Boffey; Toby Helm (9 July 2016). "Pro-EU Labour and Tory MPs look at forming a new centrist party". The Guardian.
  7. ^ Matthew Turner (12 July 2016). "Here's why a new party of the centre-ground is doomed to fail". The Independent.
  8. ^ Paddy Ashdown (3 July 2016). "Parties fail to feed the public's hunger for a solution". The Times.
  9. ^ "Team – More United". Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
  10. ^ "Final Gazette dissolved via compulsory strike-off". Companies House. 17 January 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  11. ^ "Richmond Park By-Election Explained". Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  12. ^ "More United Crowdfund". Retrieved 29 December 2016.
  13. ^ Josiah Mortimer (4 May 2017). "More United name progressive candidates in line for share of £80,000". Left Food Forward.
  14. ^ "Candidates". More United.
  15. ^ "The team". Retrieved 18 January 2017.
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