Membership Terms And Conditions

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Terms and Conditions

 

Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA)

The Ulster Unionist Party is regulated by the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA).

Any person making a donation exceeding £500 must be a permissible donor within the meaning of PPERA. In most cases, this requires the donor to be registered on an electoral register within the United Kingdom (excluding the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) at the time the donation is made.

Where donations exceed the statutory reporting thresholds, currently £7,500 to the Ulster Unionist Party or £1,500 to an individual Constituency Association during a calendar year, the Party is legally required to report those donations to the Electoral Commission, which may publish details in accordance with its statutory duties.

Further information is available from the Electoral Commission at www.electoralcommission.org.uk.

The Ulster Unionist Party reserves the right to refuse, return or decline to accept any donation where it is not satisfied that the donation complies with PPERA or any other applicable legal requirement.

Membership Terms and Conditions

1. Membership Applications

Applications for membership submitted through the Party's website, Party Headquarters or any other authorised means are subject to the Party's membership approval process.

Submission of an application and payment of a membership subscription does not confer membership. Membership only takes effect once an application has been formally approved in accordance with the Party's Constitution and Rules.

Applications may be referred to the relevant Constituency Association and any other Party body authorised to consider membership applications.

2. Eligibility for Membership

Applicants must satisfy the eligibility requirements contained within the Party Constitution and Rules.

The Party may refuse an application where it reasonably considers that the applicant:

  • does not satisfy the eligibility requirements for membership;
  • has provided information that is false, misleading or materially incomplete;
  • fails to provide information reasonably requested during the membership process;
  • is currently suspended from membership of the Party;
  • has previously been expelled from the Party and remains subject to that expulsion; or
  • is otherwise ineligible for membership under the Party's governing documents.

Membership of the Ulster Unionist Party is a privilege and not an entitlement. The Party expects all members to uphold its values and to conduct themselves in a manner that maintains public confidence in the Party.

3. Membership Vetting

The Party may undertake such enquiries as it reasonably considers necessary to determine an applicant's suitability for membership and to protect the Party, its members, volunteers, elected representatives, employees and the wider public.

Applicants may be required to:

  • complete a Membership Vetting and Declarations Form;
  • provide references;
  • provide additional information or documentation;
  • clarify any declaration made during the application process; and
  • cooperate with any reasonable enquiries made by the Party.

Failure to provide requested information within a reasonable period may result in the application being refused or treated as withdrawn.

4. Applicant Declarations

Applicants confirm that all information supplied to the Party is true, accurate and complete to the best of their knowledge and belief.

Applicants must notify the Party without undue delay if any information provided changes before their application has been determined.

Knowingly providing false, misleading or incomplete information, or deliberately withholding material information, may result in an application being refused or, where membership has already been granted, disciplinary action up to and including suspension or termination of membership.

5. Safeguarding and Suitability

The Ulster Unionist Party is committed to maintaining a safe environment for children, young people, vulnerable adults, Party members, volunteers, employees and members of the public.

Safeguarding considerations shall be a primary consideration when determining applications for membership and when considering continued membership.

The Party may request information relating to safeguarding matters, unspent criminal convictions and any other matters reasonably necessary to assess an applicant's suitability for membership, in accordance with applicable law.

The Party will assess every application on its individual merits, taking into account all relevant circumstances, including:

  • safeguarding considerations;
  • the protection of the Party's reputation;
  • the confidence of Party members and the public;
  • the nature and seriousness of any relevant conduct;
  • evidence of rehabilitation where appropriate; and
  • any other matter considered relevant to the application.

The Party may defer consideration of an application, or impose appropriate restrictions, where it reasonably considers that it is necessary to await the outcome of criminal proceedings, safeguarding investigations or disciplinary processes before reaching a decision.

Where the Party reasonably considers that admission or continued membership would present an unacceptable safeguarding, legal, reputational or organisational risk, it may refuse, suspend or terminate membership in accordance with the Party's Constitution, Rules and disciplinary procedures.

6. Criminal Proceedings

Applicants may be required to disclose information relating to current criminal proceedings or other matters reasonably requested as part of the Party's membership process.

The existence of criminal proceedings or safeguarding investigations will not determine the outcome of an application in itself. Each matter will be considered fairly on its own facts and in accordance with the Party's Constitution and Rules.

7. Standards of Conduct

Members agree to:

  • uphold the aims, objectives and values of the Ulster Unionist Party;
  • comply with the Party Constitution, Rules, Code of Conduct and disciplinary procedures;
  • treat others with dignity, courtesy and respect;
  • act honestly and with integrity;
  • avoid behaviour that could reasonably be expected to damage the reputation of the Party; and
  • conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the standards expected of members of a democratic political party.

The Party may refuse or terminate membership where it reasonably considers that an individual's conduct is incompatible with the Party's values or is likely to undermine public confidence in the Party.

8. Extremism and Incompatible Organisations

The Party may refuse, suspend or terminate membership where it reasonably believes that an individual:

  • supports, promotes or advocates violence for political purposes;
  • supports terrorism or is a member of a proscribed organisation;
  • promotes hatred, intimidation or unlawful discrimination;
  • actively campaigns for, or holds membership of, another political party in a manner incompatible with membership of the Ulster Unionist Party; or
  • is otherwise engaged in conduct fundamentally incompatible with the Party's Constitution, aims or values.

9. Conflicts of Interest

Applicants and members must disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest where reasonably requested by the Party.

The Party may impose reasonable conditions upon membership where necessary to manage any actual or perceived conflict of interest.

10. Membership Decisions

All decisions relating to membership shall be made in accordance with the Party Constitution, Rules and applicable law.

The Party reserves the right to approve, refuse, suspend or terminate membership where it reasonably considers this to be in the best interests of the Party.

The Party may also refuse, suspend or terminate membership where it reasonably considers that an individual's admission or continued membership would be likely to undermine public confidence in the Party, its elected representatives, volunteers or members, whether or not any criminal proceedings have resulted in conviction. Any such decision shall be made fairly and in accordance with the Party's Constitution, Rules and disciplinary procedures.

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions limits the operation of the Party's Constitution, Rules or disciplinary procedures.

11. Membership Fees

Membership subscriptions are payable at the rates determined by the Party from time to time.

Membership subscriptions are generally non-refundable.

Where an application is refused before membership has been approved, the Party will normally refund any subscription paid in respect of that application using the original method of payment.

12. Continuing Duty to Disclose

Members have a continuing obligation to notify the Party, within a reasonable period, where any circumstance arises that may materially affect their eligibility for membership or the Party's assessment of their continued suitability.

This includes, but is not limited to:

  • becoming charged with or convicted of a criminal offence where disclosure is requested under the Party's safeguarding or membership procedures;
  • becoming subject to safeguarding investigations or regulatory proceedings;
  • becoming suspended or expelled from another political party or organisation where the circumstances are relevant to Party membership;
  • joining or publicly supporting an organisation whose aims or activities are fundamentally incompatible with those of the Ulster Unionist Party;
  • accepting an office, employment or appointment which gives rise to a significant conflict of interest or requires political neutrality; or
  • any other matter which could reasonably be expected to create a significant safeguarding, legal or reputational risk to the Party.

Each matter will be considered individually and fairly.

Failure to disclose a relevant matter, or deliberately concealing material information, may itself constitute grounds for disciplinary action.

13. Data Protection

Information provided during the membership process, including information processed as part of the Party's vetting procedures, will be handled in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation, the Data Protection Act 2018 and any other applicable legislation.

Information will only be processed where necessary for legitimate Party purposes, including membership administration, safeguarding, compliance with legal obligations and enforcement of the Party's Constitution and Rules.

Further information is available in the Party's Privacy Policy.

14. Communications

The Party may contact applicants and members regarding membership administration, constitutional matters, campaigns, fundraising, policy consultations, events and other legitimate Party business.

Members may amend their communication preferences at any time, although the Party may continue to send communications necessary for the administration of membership or to comply with legal obligations.

15. Governing Documents

These Terms and Conditions should be read alongside the Party Constitution, Rules, Code of Conduct, disciplinary procedures, safeguarding policies and Privacy Policy.

Where there is any inconsistency between these Terms and Conditions and the Party Constitution or Rules, the Constitution and Rules shall take precedence.

16. Amendments

The Ulster Unionist Party may amend these Membership Terms and Conditions from time to time.

Any amendments shall take effect from the date they are published on the Party's website or such later date as may be specified.