In an electoral system that seems to belong to the middle ages rather than a modern western state, the Pirates had an uphill battle. Add to that a predicted tight race and that every vote was fought over then the chances of a Pirate winning a seat, although not zero, was very remote. However, a parliamentary seat were not their only goal. Increasing awareness of the Pirate Party and its policies in the UK and increasing their memberships were also very high in the minds of the Pirates working hard on the campaigns.

The Pirate Party needs to be different. I think we are different. We’re in politics not because we want to be politicians, but because we felt disenfranchised from politics and we want to take it back. We want a better politics, a politics where we cooperate, listen, made decisions based on evidence not ideology.

Stephen Ogden PPUK Governor and Spokesperson

With an increase in support in five out of six constituencies and record 0.8% of the vote for Party Leader Loz Kaye in Manchester Central the UK Pirates are  well satisfied with the results:

Bridgend

 David Elston,

• 106 total votes taken.
• 0.26% share of the total vote
• +0.26

Manchester Central

 Loz Kaye, 

• 346 total votes taken.
• 0.8% share of the total vote
• +0.8

Manchester Gorton

 Cris Chesha,

• 181 total votes taken.
• 0.4% share of the total vote
• -0.2

Salford and Eccles

 Sam Clark,

• 183 total votes taken.
• 0.4% share of the total vote
• +0.4

Sheffield Central

 Andy Halsall,

• 113 total votes taken.
• 0.3% share of the total vote
• +0.3

Vauxhall

Mark Chapman,

• 201 total votes taken.
• 0.4% share of the total vote
• +0.4

Other notable results in the election were

• The almost complete victory in Scotland by the Scottish National Party.
• The devastating loss by the government coalition partner the Liberal Democrat Party.
• The failure of the anti-EU and anti-immigrant UK Independence Party (UKIP) to gain any seats more than the one they already hold.

If anything interesting happens post publication we will update this article.

 Featured image: CC BY-SA PPUK

 This article was updated on 9 May 2015 – The word electorates was replaced with constituencies to reflect British English usage – thanks Paul

About Andrew Reitemeyer

I joined the Pirate Party of Lower Saxony in Germany in April 2012, once I found out that non citizens were welcome to join and become active members of the Party.
I joined the Pirate Times soon after it was started as a proof reader and am now an editor and author. Since then I have returned to my native New Zealand and joined the Pirate Party of New Zealand.
Politically I come from the libertarian left and have, up to now, not regarded any political party as having a solution for the democratic deficit that envelops the world. With the advent of the Pirate Party, which truly embraces grass roots democracy, I have found a political home. The Pirate Times is a way I can contribute to furthering the Pirate Movement around the world.
Skype: frithogar

 

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In an electoral system that seems to belong to the middle ages rather than a modern western state, the Pirates had an uphill battle. Add to that a predicted tight…