Fresh Air and Liberty.

I think it's probably time to start imagining my political party or movement into existence. That's assuming the fire of democracy hasn't completely went out in this Brave New World nova-landscape. I think I'm going to call it 'Fresh Air and Liberty'. The Fresh Air and Liberty Party perhaps ??

Given that it's Saint George's Day today it's probably a fitting time to officially christen it.

The name in many ways is an obvious response to our current circumstances. The lock down has in effect distilled things down to an essence. Purification by political crisis.

I like the name as it obviously comes with connotations of defending and upholding liberties, but it also suggests a care and love for the environment and natural world. Marrying personal liberty with our wider responsibilities.

Plus, who doesn't like freedom and fresh air.

The Structure..

I've been thinking about how I would structure a political party for a long time, and my thoughts are that the most effective way to do it would be to make it completely informal. In effect non-existent as an official party itself.

You don't have to apply to join. In fact, you can't apply, as there's nothing to apply to. It's a totally informal network, you simply state you're a member and you are one - and anyone can do this.

As there's no official party there's also no need for party funding. The rule would be only individuals receive funding, not the party. Exactly like independent political candidates. However, with this system they can unite under a common banner of policies and values. You can simply say "I'm standing as a 'fresh air and liberty' candidate please help fund my campaign."

"..but what if someone then does this who doesn't share those values?"

I believe the whole thing could be policed by the public. If constituents or party supporters don't approve of an individual they can simply choose to not support his/her campaign and give their support to someone else.

"..then what if the public or party support themselves then take things in a different direction? Or things just start breaking down because there's no central control??"

Then that's fine too. If the party fragments into smaller groups, perhaps even spawning whole new parties, then that will be an organic reflection of the situation. Allowing new ideas to grow into existence and also allowing core ideas and values to be protected. For example, the absolute freedom will mean that like-minded people will be able to support each other in their own networks without having to support or contend with "cuckoos in the nest".

If you think someone is a bad person, or politician. Or simply that their values are different to yours then you can choose to not support them, and just support the people you like. Unlike now where you may have to support a party begrudgingly, as there are people in the party you don't like or trust, because that's the only way to support the people and values in it you do like. Here you can pick and choose.

So it will all work organically - hopefully. I could even say like a virus.

I'll start fleshing this all out more as I go forward.