Friday, July 20, 2007

Jumping ship from United Future


Notorious Christian letter writer and former United Future candidate Steve Taylor is turning his hand to media releases as the Deputy Leader of the Direct Democracy Party. Here he says it's 'time to kick the hell out of Hell's Pizza

DIrect Democracy's leader is Kelvyn Alp, who supports the legalisation of marijuana for medical use,and supports same sex adoption both of which Taylor presumably didn't support when he was a UF candidate. Former neo-nazi Kyle Chapman is also a member of Direct Democracy.

What an interesting bunch. A former head of the National Front, a conservative Christian, and a leader who states "All Direct Democracy candidates are of similar political views as I; this is the very reason we have combined to present a real alternative and not just another off-shoot of another Party"

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Dave,

Your post is somewhat sensationalist, and a lot inaccurate. Firstly, as the Deputy Leader of The Direct Democracy Party of New Zealand, writing a few letters from time to time hardly makes me "notorious", just motivated. Secondly, Kyle Chapman has not been a member of Direct Democracy since the last election.
Thirdly, you have highlighted a core precept of Direct Democracy - that the will of the people must trump the ideology of the ruling power. Whether Direct Democracy Party Leader Kelvyn Alp and I agree or disagree on personal issues of conscience such as euthanasia, same sex marriage, or the legalisation of marijuana is irrelevant: it is what the people of New Zealand wish to decide on these matters that is the most important consideration, and through an orchestrated corruption of MMP and bastardised Representative Democracy, they have been repeatedly stymied from doing so. We aim to give all people of all political leanings the opportunity to have a real say in the direction of their country, as opposed to a 3 yearly exercise in patronising lip service to voters. Check out our website at www.ddp.co.nz for more information.

Anonymous said...

P.S:

I have not been a member of the United Future Party since I resigned from UFNZ the day after the 2005 General Election.

Steve Taylor,
Deputy Leader,
Direct Democracy Party of New Zealand
www.ddp.co.nz

Anonymous said...

Hi Dave,

Open reporting, debate and even criticism of ones position on various subjects is always welcome and indeed justified when that person seeks to take on a representative role for others. However accuracy and facts are of the utmost importance. Prior to posting your Blog on DDP, it may have been prudent to contact us directly in order to get the information verified and avoid any loss of credibility on your part.

“Your Right to Choose” is an important platform to which the Direct Democracy Party subscribes. The members of the DDP all have various beliefs and positions on many subjects, but this by no means causes any division within the party; quite the opposite it serves to enrich it.

I too can confirm that Kyle Chapman is no longer a member of the Direct Democracy Party and although controversial at the time, based on his wish to become part of a solution orientated party, he was afforded that chance and we wish him well.

Steve Taylor is a welcome addition to the DDP and has become an integral part of it. He also brings with him drive and determination that in my opinion, is seldom seen in many people. Unlike some, we do not profess to have all of the answers, however with access to this country’s greatest resource, that being its people; we will no doubt find those that do have those answers.

Thank you for the chance to respond, it is appreciated.

Kelvyn Alp
Party Leader
Direct Democracy Party
leader@ddp.co.nz
www.ddp.co.nz

Swimming said...

Thanks for confirming that Chapman has left DDP. Now, can you sort out your economic policy?

Also, policy on conscience votes has nothing to do with our electoral system. You have not said how you are to give people a real say apart from binding citizens referendums on policies you don't appear to agree with. MMP gives more people a "real say" than FPP ever did.

Anonymous said...

Hi Dave

I was at the time, and still am, a supporter of the MMP Electoral System as opposed to that of FPP. What I do not support is the way the representative nature and intent of MMP has been hijacked, inasmuch as minor parties that enter into coalition arrangements (other than for confidence and supply) lose sight of the reasons they are in that position to start with. I know that if I was to vote for a party based on what they campaigned on, but then spend the parliamentary term propping up and effectively backing an alternative party that I did not vote for due to policies I was not in tune with, I would not be happy.

Some may argue that coalitions are required in order to ensure the stability of government, but this is a nonsensical position to hold, considering it is possible to back another party to allow the forming a Government, while at the same time standing true to your party’s platform and voting the way your electors would want you too on each of the issues. So I agree with you on the point that MMP is a superior system to the FPP, but for the reasons stated above and in keeping with point 4 on our website “A review of the purpose of MMP, to determine whether the role of coalition and/or confidence and supply arrangements are in conflict with the actual representative intent of an MMP Electoral system”.

Would you also please clarify what you mean by “Now, can you sort out your economic policy?” - Thank you.


Kelvyn Alp
Party leader
Direct Democracy Party
leader@ddp.co.nz
www.ddp.co.nz